"Book em Dan-o!"

Remember the TV show "Hawaii Five-O?"
Well, for the next week the GCSG will be headquartered in Hawaii....I'm headed there for Dallas and Ems' wedding. My first true vacation in 13 years. I'm a little anxious to say the least. I do believe though with modern technology the transition will be seamless and I can stay productive and still enjoy this special occasion.
The saving grace of course is the tremendous competence of my loyal staff. Gary and Tara are "rock stars!"We will communicate daily as their are several important goals I have set forth for the week. I remember my days as an NFL scout when I was on the road for weeks at a time and things always seemed to work out! In fact the group probably needs a break from me pounding on them for a while.Also, if I get to restless or out of hand on the beach, I could easily hear the words"Book em Dan-o!"

Wid

"Americas' largest just got bigger!"

With 56 basketball teams and 49 hockey teams this weekend we are poised to shatter our Winter Games participation record of 6,148! We have a chance to top 7,000.Four of thirteen weekends left and six of forty two sports remain.

"Americas' largest amateur Winter Sports Festival just got bigger!"

Wid

"At the end of the day."

My instincts tell me to be careful what I say.
At the top of my mind is the enormous anticipation I feel prior to attending the Lori Piestewa
Memorial Sunrise service tomorrow morning at the foot of Piestewa Peak. My deep admiration and feeling for Terry ,Percy, Brandon , and Carla, is hard to explain. I do know for certain that our obligation to show unconditional respect as we present the 7th annual Lori Piestewa National Native American Games is paramount!
Along with this is the growing exhilaration for my sons wedding in Maui in two weeks,seeing old friends Sue and Al at a wedding that my youngest was in on Saturday(son-in law Adam was the unsung hero.....he paid for it today), and daughter Jess and husband Jamie took possession of their first home this past week!
Having said all of this , I was reminded at brunch after church by friend Kent's prayer that at the "end of the day" this was Easter Sunday!

Wid

"A record is in sight."

After eight weekends down and five to go, our current sport count for the Winter Games is at 5,971! I can feel it! Our record for this 42 sport extravaganza of 6,148 is in sight! 177 to go........

Wid

"Sicker than a dog!

In furthering my attempt to turn back the hands of time, yesterday I thought I would load up at breakfast with my sons assortment of supplements. My first meeting was at 9a with Earl. I began to feel nauseous and chilled 1/2 way through the meeting. By the time our staff meeting took place at 12:30 p I had thrown up several times and my nose was running at will.By 2:30p I was listless and light headed. Sicker than a dog..... I went home.

When Dallas came home from work I was informed that the ingredients were highly laced with extracts of caffeine and other volatile substances. A favorite recipe for Mixed Martial Arts fighters. So much for my boxing debut!

Wid

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!"

Dallas and Em moved in! My son and his fiancee rolled in Saturday night late with all their stuff! Dallas to start his new job at the Scottsdale Hilton and Em to enter medical school! They will be living with us while looking for a new home and by the way , a wedding in Maui on April 4 sprinkled in !

My favorite addition was the BIG BLACK BAG! I took a quick refresher class from D-bug last night and put on the gloves for 30 minutes this morning. I'm not sure how close I was to" floating like a butterfly or stinging like a bee !?"

Wid

"We made someone very happy!"

Yesterday we received the news that Megan Kaiser,7th grader from Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies, and Vera Chatwin, ninth grader from El Capitan, were chosen by Mr. Ira Fulton as this years essay contest $2,500 scholarship award winners!

What fun to jump on the phone and call principals,teachers,parents and the students to pass along the exciting news!

In Megans case the Principal thought it would be neat to call the student to his office,with her teacher present, have me call on speaker phone and pass along the god news. Remember the feeling in your stomach when you were called to the Principals office when you were in 7th grade!?

The call went something like this:"Hello everyone. I'm Erik Widmark the Executive Director of the Grand Canyon State Games. Megan......do you remember the essay contest you entered a while back? Yes,she said. Well 3,671 other students from 49 states entered also! Guess what....you have been chosen from this group as one of two Ira Fulton Scholarship award winners. You have just won $2,500!...........Wow.......thank you so much!"

I could feel the energy in the room jump through the phone."We made someone very happy!"

Wid

"There is a fine line"

If you perform only to avoid failure you will be average. Rather what if you do not succeed? This weekend events were super!
1. Arm Wrestling
2. Baton Twirling
3. Sand Volleyball
4. Shooting
5. Track & Field Adult
6. Valley of the Sun Half marathon

I woke up at 1:30a showered and shaved and rushed to the course for our half marathon. Upon my arrival I was pleased with our preparation and set up went well. It is always a rush to drive the pace car as the sun rises and the race started on time 7a. It is always enjoyable to take in the breath taking scenery and see the volunteers at the aid stations and know that Shawna and Chip from our upcoming TV show "A to Z Games" were on the course taping footage.

As the runners began to cross the finish line there was a certain feeling of relief until I was made aware that we were low on water at the finish line and the volunteer food had not been ordered. Both deal breakers! After a quick call to Ronnie in his truck on the course asking him to bring water to the finish line and having Tara run to Subway both problems were solved.

There is a fine line between SUCCESS and FAILURE

Wid

"Coach Carter"

Well I've missed Dallas' bachelor party last weekend,Em's shower and bbq at Marks this weekend, but thanks to dear friends Shelly and Kent ,in our preparation for a huge two days, they had dropped off a movie they thought I would like!
After talking with Gary, Tara, Alan, Brian , and Jen I feel good about our plan. Having done that it was time to heat up some of Cin's delicious leftovers and catch a flick.Tomorrow and Sunday are significant.
Wow! You've got to see it! It's everything that we stand for,strive to achieve,work to accomplish, carry a message, provide opportunity,and take a strong position on the difference between right and wrong."Coach Carter!"

Wid

"When one helps another, both are strong!"

Thanks to the Telcom Pioneers for helping stuff 1500 goodie bags for this weekends Valley of the Sun 1/2 Marathon. We certainly owe them a great deal for their help on a year round basis!

Wid
ps I was right! Our new apparel and equipment Team Shop web-site with Team Sport Outfitters took 12,000 hits in the first week......wow!

"Thoughts and Prayers"

I woke up and all I could think about was my good friends Lew and Carol losing their daughter Martha to cancer......what can I possibly say or do?

Wid

"Grandpa Wid"

I still can't believe it! We received a call from my youngest child Erika and her husband Adam.....we're going to be grand parents!!!! Amazing feeling!

Grandpa Wid