[Gitback Coach]

Gitback, I will remember you in my prayers tonight as I hope everyone else on here will. Only someone who needs prayer would question it. For I am the Alpha and Omega. Remember him in everything you do and honor him in everything you do.

Years ago, I attended a youth sports camp that--unbeknownst to me--insisted on starting every morning and ending every afternoon with a public, denominational (christian, of course) prayer. I was only 17 at the time, so I didn't make a big fuss about it. Instead, I opted to simply sit or stand quietly, waiting for each inane ritual to pass (just as I do in similar scenarios today).

By day three, though, one of the camp's coaches had noticed that I wasn't bowing my head or closing my eyes during their prayer to their god, and he asked me about it. As respectfully as I knew how, I explained that I had been raised in a half-agnostic, half-Buddhist home and that participation in public, denomination-specific prayer struck me as disrespectful and inappropriate. In turn, the coach/counselor said that he disagreed both with my perspective and my spiritual upbringing, but he would "pray for me." I thanked him and patiently waited until he walked away before I rolled my eyes.

I still remember that man today. At the time, he was a very successful, well-known assistant football coach at Penn State University . . . an engaging and gregarious fellow named Jerry Sandusky. I wonder whatever happened to him?

Anyway, my points about both this tangential prayer topic and the whole "post-game handshake" controversy are these: 1) You and Jerry Sandusky have at least one thing in common, and 2) If adults would actually practice and model virtuous, responsible behavior instead of preoccupying themselves with ritualistic poses or illusions of sportsmanship, everyone involved would be much better off . . . and the KHSAA would find itself compelled to release fewer directives.

Namo Amitabha Buddha, my friend.