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So, where are they now?

FAN 590 listeners have been asking what ever happened to those former guests on the HIGH SCHOOL SHOW? Did they go to university, leave the country, compete at the professional level?

All good questions and, yes, because we have dealt with so many teenage athletes, it does raise questions about what are they doing now?

So, we went chasing and caught up with some. We’ll share their stories. Make that, they will share their stories - long after those days in the high school classroom. Over the next two weeks, March 14 and 21 from 9:30am to 10:00am,  tune in the FAN 590 on your radio or on the web around the world at www.fan590.com.

A hockey player, drafted by an NHL team. Yes, he broke his back in a game. Now, he’s about to graduate from medical school to be an orthopedic surgeon. And we have the story of this female, questioned by her parents about wrestling for her high school, now an Olympian. And a basketball player who attended a school not known for success in that sport, but chosen as one of the top five players in Toronto, setting records in the U.S. and now playing in Europe.

There’s more. Six profiles of athletes who started - at the high school level.

March 14 and 21 at 9:30am

Whoops. I must have pushed the wrong button while adding my blog and - it’s missing. So. rather than tell you what’s coming up, here’s what we had on the show today.

Basketball coach and teacher Mike Gordensky, from the No.1-ranked Pickering Trojans, spoke about his chances of winning the Ontario high school basketball championship. Nervous, yes he is. You would be too if your 6-foot-6 player was suspended for a game for taking two technical fouls in the league championship - a highly emotional game too.

So, Pickering plays a team that has beaten them and St. Thomas More of Hamilton is hungry again. Double-knockout tournament means teams can lose their first game and still qualify to win the gold by winning the next four. Tough job for any team in 76 hours.

Gordensky is the same guy who was suspednded by OFSAA last year, not even allowed to watch his team in a public facility, simply because he used two players in a U.S. tournament without approval from OFSAA.  He was given a one year penalty and the school put on probation for three years. I have read stories of people in conflict with law, people who have done worse, with not as serious a penalty.

Then, the fabulous story of Meghan Farrell, a snowboarder who celebrated her 18th birthday on the Olympic course. She`s from St. Theresa of Lisieux High in Richmond Hill and she spoke about her school not even having a team. Oh well, next year. Watch for this youngster to be competing for Canada real soon.

And Sandra Babulall, the mother of two teenage wrestlers, was on to talk about her sons. Yup, she was proud. Both won medals. I got the feeling that it didn`t matter, she was proud of their efforts: win or lose. Nice job, mom. Need more like you.

Yikes, it’s the end of February.
On THE HIGH SCHOOL SHOW for this final day of the month, that’s Sunday morning at 9:30am., we’ll talk some basketball, hockey and snowboarding.

The Toronto Catholic senior boys’ basketball title is up for grabs. Winner moves on to the provincial playoffs. Loser goes home. What I find interesting is the inconsistency in leagues. In Toronto, the public board has a “back door” format that gives the team that loses in the final a second chance. In the Catholic final, lose and it’s all over. Strange? Fair?

Anyway, have to be careful how I say this. Blessed Mother Teresa is hoping to beat, I mean end up on the winning side of the final with, Pope John Paul II. Then again, Pope John Paul II might have a surprise for Mother Teresa. Doesn’t sound right, but you know what I mean. Teresa coach Richard Gallacher will be on to talk strategy and hoops.

Kelly Terry started the season with her hockey mates at Sinclair in Whitby. But then, the athletic association in Durham told her to hang up the skates. She’s ineligible. We’ll hear her side of the story. The Lake Ontario Secondary School Athletic Association folks are nervous talking to the media.

And, to end the Olympics, we’ll go to Vancouver and talk with Meghan Farrell - a Richmond Hill high school student. She’s an alpine snowboard racer that was invited to forerun at the womens parallel giant slalom Olympic event - and on her 18th birthday. Yes, she’s hoping to be part of the next wave of national athletes.

One of the top high school basketball players in the Greater Toronto Area will join me on Sunday on the HIGH SCHOOL SHOW at 9:30am to talk about his team, his year and what’s ahead. Who is it? Alright, point guard Mike L’Africain from Loyola in Oakville. Team record: 43-4. Not bad.

And a Toronto high school dominated the citywide swim finals. Malvern did it. I believe four consecutive titlers now and we’ll talk with one of the coaches, Corey Skuffham about how Malvern Collegiate swimmers keep reaching No. 1.

And, we have a hockey guest - a very talented player who could be the next big name toi come out of York region. Brendan Gaunce turns 16 next month and doing a great job at Markham District. Yes, the Marauders beat Brother Andre in the first game of their playoffs.

Great guests. Great show. Sunday morning at 9:30am on THE FAN 590.

Well, it has been rough times for the family.

A year ago, my mother passed away. A few days ago, another shock - my mother-in-law died. It can be very tough trying to get back to work, talking sports and the routine. But, that’s what she would have wanted me to do - talk about young athletes and stir things up with my opinions.

Huge thanks to Zack Cooper for filling in for me last Sunday, and on very short notice.

This Sunday, as we edge closer to the league championships in various sports, we’ll talk some volleyball, swimming and basketball on THE HIGH SCHOOL SHOW starting at 9:30am and, of course, also available at www.fan590.com

 And, yes, it’ll also be Valentine’s Day.

It’s basketball month, or so it feels, with lots of them - Sheridan Cup, Forest City Invitational, Scarborough Basketball Association, Kennedy All-Catholic, Ontario Catholic Classic, and on and on.

We’ll talk hoops, now that exams are over, and what lies ahead with the Ontario championships one month away. Yup, four provincial finals - different size schools - all at the same time. Nice planning by the folks at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations.

And, with two big girls’ volleyball tournaments, the Mowat Invitational and another Ontario Catholic Classic, a bigger story focuses on a private school “borrowing” players from other schools because it only had five for its team.

Good move or not? Ethical issues? What about athletes competing for one school, then another, then back again?

Tune in, Sunday morning at 9:30am for the HIGH SCHOOL SHOW on the FAN590 or at www.fan590.com

13 days to go.

The Winter Olympics and, well, we thought we might get in the Olympic mood with a show involving university grads with links to the Olympics.

He once played hockey for Ryerson, now Keith Pelley has a say in what the world will watch and hear when the Games begin on Feb. 12 in Vancouver and Whistler. And Keith will join us this Sunday morning, Jan. 31 on THE UNIVERSITY SPORTS SHOW at 9:00am on The FAN 590.

You can also pick the show up at www.fan590.com

Strength and conditioning specialist Adam Douglas, now at York University, has worked with Olympic athletes including alpine skier Ryan Semple. What does it take to stay in shape? Adam will share his views.

And there’s more.

Join us as we start to get some pre-Olympic fever - Sunday, Jan. 31 at 9:00am.

You’re obese.

As a student, how would you feel if someone approached you and said that straight to your face? Remember all the hoopla about our youth being lazy, out-of-shape, eating junk food, playing on the computer and not getting exercise?

Well, depending on who you talk with, not much has really changed.

Steve Friesen, a former athlete of the year in his teen days in Midland, Ont., has been a teacher for the past 22 years. He has seen it all - and knows a great deal too. For the past few years, he’s bee the guys in charge of “Raising the Bar”. He recommended a project to the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Health Promotion - and they liked it so much that Friesen was asked to get things going.

He’s trying to change what’s going on in school gyms, rinks, pools and on fields. A large number of teachers figure schools are training grounds for elite athletes. Friesen disagrees and, while he believes varsity sports are important, he is pushing for more intramural sports and getting kids involved so they can get in better physical shape and live longer. Makes sense.

He’ll join me this Sunday morning during the HIGH SCHOOL SHOW.

I promise not to have my donut in the studio.

Still getting lots of comments from listeners to our show last Sunday, which had to be one of the best since we started the program. In case you missed it, it was “Religion and Sports” and took up the entire hour. The show is on the FAN website under podcasts. Look for my picture and the show logo.

This week, we return to the university show the first half hour and then the high school show. On the high school program, we have some tennis, basketball and football. Names of guests, well, you’ll have to tune in.

Here are a few hints: basketball ties in with one of the oldest tournaments in Ontario. Football has a great player from the Greater Toronto Area talking about, well, his future. As for tennis, he could be the next Canadian star - and he’ll speak with us from England.

Listen. This Sunday from 9:00am until 10:00am on The FAN 590 in Toronto.

Happy New Year!

January 1st, 2010. A new year, a new decade - and, after a few weeks of vacation, back with a new show this week.

We’re pre-empting the regular university and high school show formats this Sunday for something different.

Over the years, we’ve had theme shows about sports and injuries, sports and the law, etc. To kick off the year, we’re devoting the entire show - starting at 9:00 am on January 3rd - to “Religion and Sports”.

Yup, we’ve seen comments on TV and beyond. Athletes take a few minutes for a prayer on the football field, thank the Almighty after a basketball game, praise the Lord after winning an Olympic medal.

But, not much is said about religion after a loss.

Should religion be part of sport? Is religion being used to attract youngsters to sport?

Joining me on THE FAN 590 or at www.fan590.com and here, live in studio, Rabbi Baruch Frydman-Kohl, senior rabbi at Toronto’s Beth Tzedec Congregation - the largest conservative synagogue in Canada. He’s an American too, and a perspective from a guy who grew up in the U.S.

And Reverend Joe Gorman, from the Loyola Parish in Mississauga, will be in studio. Some of you might know of him as a coach with the Loyola high school basketball team while others might remember him as the quarterback at York University many years ago.

Religion and Sport, this Sunday morning at 9:00am on THE FAN 590.