As the 2007-2008 Scholastic Sports Year has now come to a close, I feel compelled to express my deep appreciation and respect for Freedom Senior John Challis. John is a young man who is an inspiration and role model to everyone, young and old.

John's story is well-documented, as it should be. However, if you've ever had the pleasure and privilege to be in his presence, then you will truly know what John Challis is all about.

I met John at our Senior Baseball Day when he and his coach, Steve Wetzel, accepted our invitation to be recognized and honored. As it turned out, it was actually the Ambridge players, coaches and parents who were the ones honored by his presence and his words.

This young man faces the worst fate family and friends could imagine, yet he carries himself with grace, dignity, pride, immense courage and love -- love of his family, for his friends and for life itself. His message was simple and compelling and delivered with the courage and confidence that we all wish we possessed.

The Midwestern Athletic Conference Athletic Directors Association recently voted unanimously to establish the John Challis Courage Award, the criteria of which will be established in the near future, to be awarded annually to a deserving student-athlete from the 31-school MAC Conference. It is our prayer that John will present this award to the deserving recipient next spring.

There's no question John has taught us far, far more than we could teach him. In a world where unfortunately "playing time" is an obsessive issue, John Challis inspires us to be more concerned with "living time." That is John's gift to us.

RANDY COSGROVE
Athletic Director
Ambridge Area School District

Missing Oakmont East

I am deeply saddened by the decision in which Oakmont East Golf Club will remain closed to the public. This particular course has provided me many fond memories over the past 30 years.

Growing up and living in Lawrenceville, Oakmont East was always affordable and close. I played more than 100 rounds there over the years with my father and my friends.

While Dad and I spoke frequently of driving to "this" course or "that" course, we always ended up at Oakmont East. It was our "home" course. It was familiar but always provided a challenge.

I will miss Oakmont East, and a host of fathers and young sons also will miss the opportunity to forge their own memories.

FREDERICK G. BANACH
Southview, Pa.

It's a hockey town

Pittsburgh sports. For any person who has been born and raised in the Steel City, the two words automatically mean FOOTBALL. With that in mind, the past couple months has been a very interesting time to be a Pittsburgh sports fan.

"It's a hockey night in Pittsburgh." This phrase was both heard and seen frequently in recent weeks. The city has a renewed passion in hockey and especially its team!

The name Lemieux has become equivalent to that of Rooney in the average Pittsburgh home. I may even venture to say that more than half of the females in Pittsburgh could tell you what constitutes icing. Hockey is back and Pittsburgh loves it.

I'm excited! Pittsburgh has laid the foundation for a strong fan base equivalent to that of our Steelers!

BRITTNEY L. JOHNSON
Oakland