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Mike White talks about the overwhelming feedback from his story about a high school senior battling cancer:
John Challis' story has gone national.
I wrote his inspiring story in the Post-Gazette this past Sunday. While I expected plenty of feedback because of the nature of the story, what has happened in the past week in the life of the Freedom High School senior football-baseball player who is dying from liver and lung cancer is truly unbelievable.
I have received literally hundreds of e-mails from people saying how John is inspiring and how John has affected their lives. One came from Iraq.
John was on Fox Sports Radio's Dan Patrick Show this morning. ESPN is coming to Freedom to do a SportsCenter story on him. ESPN The Magazine was at Freedom the other day. Radio stations from Los Angeles, Houston, Charlotte, Boston, Milwaukee and a few other cities have called either myself or the Challis family, wanting him on as a guest. A production company in New York that does stories for a television show in Japan wants to do a story on John.
ESPN sportscaster Scott Van Pelt had me on his national radio show Wednesday. He said he didn't think he could emotionally handle interviewing John on the air.
I received an email from an NBA player -- Matt Carroll of the Charlotte Bobcats -- about John. Then late yesterday afternoon, I received a phone call from Florida Marlins pitcher Mark Hendrickson, who called on his way to the park. The guy is tied for second in the National League for wins (5-1 record) and was pitching last night, but said he read John's story and was so moved that he wanted to see if there was any way he could speak with John. Hendrickson also offered to bring John and his family to Philadelphia for a weekend series later this month, just so John could hang out with the team.
John is touched by all the attention and simply keeps saying he is so grateful that his story can maybe help other people. Here are some of the emails I have received:
Dear Mr. White,
I am currently in the Navy and serving onboard USS Anzio, which is currently underway in the North Atlantic. While reading your story, I cried. I got angry. I laughed. This story was really moving and touching. When you are out to sea and stuck on a big gray ship and working long days and going through rough exercises and drills, you tend to forget about those who aren't on ship. This brought me back to reality and help me to remember that there are worse things than being stuck on a ship away from my family. At least when I come home at the end of the month, my family will be there. That might not necessarily be true for Mr. and Mrs. Challis.
Thank you and thank John Challis for reminding me to look at the cup as being half full and not half empty. If you talk to John Challis again, you can tell him that his message was heard loud and clear from the other side of the world. Thank you.
Troy D. Miller
It took me an unusually long time and quite a bit of tissues to read this article. Great job on the article, I obviously do not know John or anyone in the article but I think you captured the essence of the story for me. I am going to read this article again, only this time I will have my children on my lap as I read it out loud to them. Lucky for us they are healthy. Peace to you and your family and thanks for sharing John's story with everyone.
The Bray family
All I can say is that your article in today's newspaper is one of the most inspiring articles that a staff reporter at the Post-Gazette has ever written. This brought me to tears at Panera this morning, as I was reading it online. I plan on forwarding it to all of my friends and family. John's story is not only inspiring, it is moving. He is so strong, and he and his family will be in my thoughts and prayers for many years to come.
Ted Taylor IV
Pittsburgh
I have just finished reading your article on John Challis and it was honestly one of the most uplifting and inspiring stories my eyes have ever read.
Everybody who reads this story should truly take a lesson from John -- I know I have. I wish him the absolute best and I will definately keep him and his family in my prayers.
This was a fantastic article and truthfully brought tears to my eyes. John has made a profound impact on my life and I hope I can spread his message as best I can. I sent this article to a couple of my buddies as well who are also former WPIAL athletes. I'm sure they'll find the article just as touching as I did.
Ray Toomey
Your article with regard to the young man with cancer is well-written and an incredible tribute to this young man's desire to live and survive, in spite of a terrible and debilitating terminal illness. He inspires me to want to be a better person and I am 57 years old.
Gloria Fryer
Just wanted to say that the story about John Challis was beautifully written. I think that you have helped him to fulfill his purpose of being an inspiration for others. He is right; we all waste too much time on negativity and sometimes it takes a story such as this to remind us of that. This is the type of story I like to read over and over again to remind myself of what is important in life. I have read a lot more PG sports stories this year due to my connection with a certain Serra Catholic football and basketball player, and we have all been bombarded with the Terrelle Pryor saga, but John Challis puts all of that into perspective. Thank you for this wonderful story.
Diane
I just read the amazing story of the young man with cancer who got to play his last baseball game; the story makes one feel so ashamed for ever complaining about anything in life. I cried so hard when reading this story and am still crying as I type this.
I drive a school bus and there are so many young kids who 'mess up' their lives and this young man will be a saint in heaven for all to admire, and I thank you for giving me yet another reason to be proud of the many young kids that never make the headlines unless they are in trouble. This young man's story should be made a special on TV.
Mrs. Dan (Gloria) Wineland
Monongahela, Pa.
I recently read your story on John Challis and his struggle with cancer and was deeply touched. I thought you did an outstanding job of telling his story and conveying John's message about life. The story was truly an inspiration to me. I am a native Pittsburgher (Upper St. Clair class of 1999) and currently deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I am an Aircraft Commander in a Naval Aviation squadron out here and on our next mission I would like to fly a flag over Iraq in honor of John, and send it back home to Pittsburgh for him as a token of my appreciation. Thanks for doing such a great job of conveying John's amazing story,
Lt. Josh Lostetter
Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron TWO
I heard your interview on ESPN radio and just read your article. This kid is a hero, I choked back tears the whole way through especially when he said the only thing he was mad about was not being able to have a son and a home. I am lucky enough to just recently have both and I take it for granted. Puts things into perspective. My heart goes out to him and his family.
Dan Berryman
New Jersey
Don't ever take this article off the Post Gazette server, ever. It is now required reading for my children and their children. God bless you and God bless John Challis
J. Chris Dias
Fort Meade, Md.
I heard your interview with Scott Van Pelt on my way to the airport yesterday on ESPN radio and I became very interested in the story about John Challis. All I want to say is, "thank you", for writing about this young man. I'm sitting in my hotel room right now with tears in my eyes. I have two young sons who wouldn't understand this story but I'm going to remember it and share it with them when they get a bit older, about the value of a strong heart, strong mind and the courage this young man possesses.
Shawn Riley
I'm a last semester law student in Chicago who just took the best study break of my life. I'm an avid ESPN radio and Scott Van Pelt fan, so this evening I spent my study break listening to the Van Pelt show on espn.com, and I couldn't be happier that I did because had I not, I would not have been introduced to the John Challis story. I just wanted to thank you for writing the story. I'm sure that your inbox has been flooded with messages like these, but as my parents taught me, thank those who help you. I would like to thank you for giving me perspective through your literary talents, and more importantly, I would like to thank John for telling his remarkable story of courage. I agree with John that too much negativity exists today, sports sections across the country have turned into the step sibling of the National Enquirer, and I've heard too many times about how the higher the pedestal, the harder the fall. This story puts sports in its proper perspective, as a bonding and uplifting challenge experienced between teammates, coaches, and the community. Thank you again.
Chris Hitzemann
Chicago, Ill.
Thank you for writing such an inspirational story. This should be mandatory reading for every pro athlete, every amateur athlete, every child athlete, & every parent who gets caught up in thinking their child is the next superstar. It shows what is really important in life. It is truly a humbling story that will hopefully keep me grounded for a while. My 12 year son was ticked off about striking out three times in a game last night. I had him sit down and read this story. When he was finished he just gave me a little smile. I think he might get it now. Please let John know that his story is getting out there and helping to change lives. John Challis is truly an amazing person, and the kind of role model I want my two sons to look up too.
Jim
It should come as no surprise Ohio State has landed another top player from Western Pennsylvania this week. Looking back at recent recruiting classes, the Buckeyes seem to get a player from the WPIAL almost every year.
Ohio State's most recent recruit from the WPIAL is Gateway junior linebacker Dorian Bell, who made a verbal commitment to the Buckeyes Monday. Last month, Ohio State signed Jeannette senior quarterback Terrelle Pryor, ranked the No. 1 player in the country by some scouting services.
Also from the class of 2008, Ohio State signed Trinity linebacker Andrew Sweat. In 2007, Ohio State signed offensive lineman Evan Blankenship of Center. In 2006, Trinity tight end-offensive lineman Andrew Miller was an Ohio State recruit. In 2004, Ohio State signed two WPIAL players -- Woodland Hills receiver Devon Lyons and Beaver tight end Rory Nicol.
Bell liked Michigan the best until he visited Ohio State as a sophomore. Bell also visited Michigan as a sophomore with the older brother of Michigan receiver Steve Breaston, a Woodland Hills graduate.
"I loved it at Michigan. Then I went to Ohio State, and it was like, 'Bye Michigan,'" Bell said.
Gateway has another junior who is being heavily recruited, but doesn't have a scholarship offer from Ohio State. Corey Brown, a cornerback-receiver, has more than 30 offers from Division I schools and Bell said he is hoping Ohio State decides to make an offer to his teammate. While Bell answered questions at a small news conference Monday afternoon at Gateway, Brown stood in the background, waving an Ohio State flag.
"He's looking at Pitt strongly, and West Virginia strongly -- and North Carolina and Penn State," Gateway coach Terry Smith said of Brown. "He's more wide open than Dorian. Corey wants to go through at least this spring and see who else comes through."
Two other Gateway juniors -- tight end-defensive end Brendan Stevens and lineman Colin Rodkey -- also have offers from Division I schools. Smith said as many as eight Gateway juniors could end up with Division I offers by next year.
"We can be just as good as when Justin King was here or as good as last year," Bell said.
Although his future position is linebacker, the 6-foot ??-inch, 225-pound Bell will play some at tailback next season for Gateway. Bell has run the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds.
"We're going to use Brian Williams and Jeff Parrish some there also," Smith said. "We're going to go with a three-headed monster at tailback to give teams a lot to prepare for, because they're all different.
"The best thing about Dorian is the second half," Smith said. "When teams start to get tired, and their courage starts to get questioned, are they going to want to hit someone who's 225 pounds?"
Something Colin Dunlap wanted to pass along:
While it might not seem like the most pressing issue to everyone, there was a recent dust-up involving media coverage of Illinois high school sporting events. More to the point, it involved the prospect of photos and videos being taken at accredited media events and then being resold for a nominal fee.
Again, on the surface this might not be the most pressing issue to everyone but, please remember, the easier it is made on media to cover things and bring coverage to the readership or viewership, the easier it is for the public to consume the materials.
Anyhow, the following is an Associated Press story from yesterday:
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Illinois High School Association and news organizations have reached a settlement over the right to resell photos of sporting events.
News photographers will have full access at sponsored events unless it poses a safety hazard under terms of the agreement announced Tuesday. The IHSA also will drop efforts to bar news organizations from selling their photos and videos.
In return, the Illinois Press Association will drop a lawsuit against the IHSA and stop pushing state legislation that would have barred the IHSA from giving a private company exclusive rights to sell photos of state tournaments. The IHSA can also hire an official photographer with unrestricted access for training, promotional and educational purposes.
"The IHSA understands the value of newspaper coverage of high school sports," Marty Hickman, executive director of the IHSA, said in a statement. "This settlement will allow both of our organizations to get back to doing what we do best."
P. Carter Newton, president of the IPA and publisher of The Galena Gazette, said he was pleased the two sides could settle.
"This agreement means that newspapers will continue to cover high school sports as they have for more than a century and, in doing so, provide services that are meaningful to their communities in the coming years," Newton said in a statement.
IPA Executive Director Dave Bennett said the agreement was inevitable once the Senate voted, 47-5, last week to require the IHSA to let media resell photos they take at games.
"I think the pressure was on IHSA to do something and at that point, everything changed," Bennett said.
The rift began last year when the IHSA barred several newspaper photographers from the sidelines at the state football championship games unless they agreed not to resell their photos. It also banned photographers from wrestling and cheerleading competitions.
The IHSA argued it should have exclusive authority to sell photographs of its events, while media outlets said it was an unfair infringement of their right to cover public events.
Have something you want to say?
Have something you wish I had said?
Well, get in touch with me at cdunlap@post-gazette.com
WPIAL Executive Director Tim O'Malley talks to the PG's Mike White about the penalties placed on the Jeannette and North Catholic boys' basketball teams after a fight between the two last Saturday.
The WPIAL penalized North Catholic and Jeannette for their participation in a fight after their PIAA quarterfinal game last Saturday at Hempfield. No Jeannette players were suspended for tonight's PIAA semifinal game.
Among the penalties assessed by the WPIAL Board of Control, players and coaches from both schools must attend anger-management and conflict-resolution classes. Also, North Catholic coach Dave Long and Jeannette coach Jim Nesser must attend a coaching education class by the end of the school year.
The athletic programs at both schools also were placed on two years' probation. That means any sports teams at Jeannette and North Catholic that behave in an unsportsmanlike manner could lose the right to compete in postseason games.
Here are some of O'Malley's comments.
On why no players were suspended: "Everyone knew there was a physical confrontation, but it couldn't be established concretely who started it or who participated in it. That was what our board struggled with. You cold not substantiate, even in testimony, who was responsible for starting it and who was involved in it.You couldn't establish guilt or who was more culpable than anyone else. Because they were both equally guilty, it was the consensus of the board that they should be equally held accountable."
On why all sports teams at both schools are on probation: "The board felt strongly enough that this deviation from what is acceptable behavior is severe enough that it should impact their whole [sports] program."
On whether the penalties are severe enough: "Some of those things were pretty severe. If they don't do what they are supposed to, they will violate the probation. We felt the anger management and conflict resolution workshops were needed with these kids and the things that they were doing."
On anger-management class for players: "I'm not sure if we've ever sent anyone to anger-management classes."
Mike White takes a look at the tough position the WPIAL is in today, concerning a hearing with the Jeannette and North Catholic boys' basketball teams.
The WPIAL will have a hearing today with the North Catholic and Jeannette boys' basketball teams, concerning a fight between players after their game Saturday. No matter what the WPIAL does, you can be sure of this: The league will be criticized.
It really is a no-win situation for the WPIAL in this case. The fight occurred near the North Catholic locker room after the PIAA quarterfinal game Saturday at Hempfield. According to those who witnessed the fight, it involved numerous players from both teams, including Jeannette star Terrelle Pryor.
So here is the WPIAL's quandary. If the league decides to suspend players from both teams, the WPIAL will be criticized that the ruling is unfair because North Catholic's season is over. Jeannette is in the semifinals Wednesday night and thus stands to lose much more than North Catholic if players are suspended.
If the WPIAL merely gives a slap on the wrist to both teams and levies penalties for next season, however, critics will say the league turned its head to the fight because it didn't want to see Pryor or other Jeannette players miss the semifinal game.
The other problem for the WPIAL is: Will either team identify any players who were fighting? The players probably won't finger anyone. After the game Saturday, state police were on the scene and investigated the event. Police brought North Catholic players Matt and Marty Long out of the North Catholic locker room and wanted to escort them to the Jeannette locker room to identify players who punched them. Both Longs had cuts and abrasions on their heads and faces, but they told police they would not identify any Jeannette players.
Are there any precedents in a case like this? Yes and no. When North Hills' LaVar Arrington punched an opposing player in the handshake line after a holiday tournament. His case wasn't heard until after the season and the WPIAL suspended him for a few games the following season.
But in a 1992 WPIAL quarterfinal game, North Allegheny defeated Woodland Hills when Devin Billeter dribbled the length of the court in 4 seconds to make a game-winning shot. When the game ended, Woodland Hills coach Matt Furjanic immediately went to the scorer's table and accused the timekeeper (Doug Woods) of purposely not starting the clock. He hit Woods in the face with a towel. After the game, Furjanic accused the scorekeeper of cheating because the game was played at Duquesne University, and then Duquesne athletic director Brian Colleary had a son, Chris, on North Allegheny's team.
The WPIAL had a hearing on the matter and suspended Furjanic for the rest of the season, including the PIAA playoffs.
So good luck, WPIAL. No matter what the league rules, the criticism will fly.
Neil Gordon gave the Post-Gazette's Mike White a few thoughts after his ouster as Penn Hills' football coach.
All through the past two months, Neil Gordon held out hope he would get his job back as Penn Hills' football coach. When the school hired Ron Graham as its new coach Tuesday night, it was hard for Gordon to accept.
In January, school board president Erin Vecchio said the board was listening to some parents who wanted a new coach. She said Gordon didn't win enough.
Didn't win enough? Gordon was Penn Hills' coach for 21 years and had a 156-74-2 record. In the past 10 seasons, he was 61-19-5 with five conference titles. His teams made the playoffs 10 years in a row.
"I just thought throughout this whole thing that people would come to their senses and this would end like it did for [Upper St. Clair coach] Jim Render, and [North Hills coach] Jack McCurry, and [Chartiers Valley basketball coach] Tim McConnell," Gordon said.
Gordon was referring to some other highly successful coaches who survived school-board attempts to have them fired.
Vecchio also said the board wanted to go in a new direction, but Graham was Gordon's defensive coordinator. One of the other finalists for the job was Mike Booth, Gateway's defensive coordinator.
"Tuesday night [Graham's hiring] was kind of the night the hammer hit me in the head," Gordon said. "It was hard to believe they went through with this."
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