How old are you?

58

Where were you born?

Bloomington Illinois

Where do you live now?

Blessed to live in Georgia

 How did you end up there?

After graduating from grad school in 1978 we were tired of the flat land and winters in Illinois so we looked to move someplace warmer.  I got a job in Grayson GA teaching elementary physical education and we have been here since.

What do you drive?

Dodge Dakota Pick up truck

What do you do for a living?

 I’m a elementary physical education teacher and coach high school shot and discus.

How did you get into that?

 I moved with my coach from Western IL to Northern IL in 1974.  I was a recreation major at Western and Northern didn’t have that major.  My minor at Western was PE so I just moved into that.  I did really care what my major was as long as I could throw.

Talk about being teacher of the year and how that came about.

 In 1995 I was honored to become the National Association for Sport and Physical Education Teacher of the Year. It was a process.  First nominated by a college to become the Georgia Physical Education Teacher of the Year, once having that honor the application moved to the district level.  After being named at that level, a video tape of my teaching and an interview at the National Conference determined the National winner from the six districts.  It was a great honor and one that I’ll never forget.

Tell us about your education?

I started college at Western IL from 1970-1973, transferred to Northern IL and graduated with BS in 1975 and MS in 1978; Piedmont College 2008 with an Education Specialist Degree.

Tell me how you met your wife?

 Another guy on my dorm floor and I were interested in meeting this great looking girl in our Zoology 101 class.  It was one of those huge lecture classes with well over 100 people.  One day we noticed an empty seat next to her.  We flipped for it and I won.  We will be married 36 years in May.

Tell me about your kids?

We have 6 great kids.  Niki the oldest has 3 kids with her husband Jeff and she is a high school math teacher.  Dana teaches orchestra in middle school.  Laura is a nurse, Ben just had a daughter and is a plumber.  Brianne is student teaching and hopes to teach next year.  The youngest goes to GA State U. 

As a kid growing up what was your first job?

 I was a YMCA camp counselor for my first job.  The first job I really made any money at was with the rural electric company treating poles in the summers with creosote. 

When you grew up as a kid, what sports did you play?

 I did a lot- basketball, baseball, football, track, swimming, wrestling.

Did you throw in high school and if so what did you throw?

 I threw the shot and discus.  Not great but won several meets.  My senior year I was close to getting the school record that was held by my coach, when he realizes it- he stopped coaching me.  Nice guy huh- I think I missed it by a few inches.  I qualified for the State meet my senior year but the coach didn’t want to take me so I stayed home.

Tell us about throwing in college.

 At Western I was on ½ football and ½ track scholarship.  In spring football I broke my little finger on my throwing hand.  The track coach was really mad- first off that I had to do spring football and second- I could no longer hold the shot- one day at practice he threw a hammer down at my feet and told me to learn how to throw it or I was finished with track.  The following year I increased my track scholarship and dropped football.   Best move I ever made.

What was your first Highland Game and when was that?

 My first HG was at Stone Mountain in 1978.

Who was at that game?

It was the first year Stone ever had amateurs at the games.   I only remember Chris Justice as another am.   I remember, Jim Pauli, Ron Short and Fred Vaughn and Ed McComus at pros being there.  

What made you decide to try and compete at a game?

Are you kidding me?  We had moved to GA in the spring and in the course of checking out our new surroundings went to Stone Mountain Park and saw some posters.  I had seen the games on a TV show called the games people play- remember that with Fran Tarkenton? I could throw heavy things all day long.  What could be better?

What is your favorite event?

 It would have to be the sheaf.

What is a common mistake you see people make in that event?

 I think sticking the bag is the first important thing; the bags are a lot different these days.  I always let the bag do most of the work.  Second is not blocking in time.

Who were the first people to influence and coach you in the sport?

 It was a lot different when I got started.  There were not many pros on the east coast.  They were a very tight nit group.  I turned pro in 1980 at my third games- I had thrown at Stone the two previous years- they said I couldn’t throw there again unless I was a pro- I don’t remember anyone talking to me that first games.  The first guy that did help me was Jim Pauli.  I really didn’t have any coaching- not sure any of us did back then.

Talk some about throwing games as an amateur, what games you did and where.

 Like I said – I had two amateur games- Stone Mountain in 1978 and 1979.

Talk about some of the pro games you did and your favorites.

 Stone will always be my favorite.  Grandfather would follow so close that it could be a tie with Stone.  It was always great to go to Chicago because my family would come up and watch.  Glasgow KY is great- they always treated the pros great there.  We use to have 5 or 6 games in Florida every year- it was always nice to get down there in the early spring and winter.

Who did you enjoy competing with and why?

 Ken Starnes and I had some great battles.  It was always interesting to go to games with Tom Carmichael too.  There are a lot of great guys in the games.  It was always a pleasure to be around guys like Jim Pauli, Ron Short, Pete Hoyt, Ed McComus.

Talk about some of the throws, games and moments you are most proud of.

Breaking the sheaf record at Stone was really great- also in Charleston and again in Montgomery would have to be the high points.  Winning Glasgow and Chicago were great too.  The biggest surprise I had was winning the Orlando games.  I really wasn’t watching the scores or the places- just enjoying the competition and watching George Chiapwa work the crowd- when they announced to winner I was shocked.  My best game ever was in Arlington, TX.  I was sitting at home on a Friday night eating dinner and got a call that someone couldn’t make it and could I- I went to the airport got a flight and threw really well that weekend.

Since you are in fabulous condition, why do you not continue to compete?

I’ve got some issues with my knees. But more than anything were finding games to go to those last few years.  I wasn’t allowed to throw in several games in the Southeast because I had been a pro.  I know – masters are masters- but I stopped getting invited to Grandfather and couldn’t throw in the amateur games- so I was down to Stone Mountain and you just can’t stay motivated and competitive with one game a year.

Tell us about some of the injuries you had as an athlete.

 I had a partial tear in a rotator cuff in the mid 80’s set me back about a year.  It was hard to get back into games for a while because of the politics of the games at that time.  So in the early 90’s when I ruptured my bicep tendon, I threw left handed for a year just to hold my spot in some of the games.

How did you get into judging games and what do you enjoy about that?

 I still really enjoy being around the sport and since I didn’t throw anymore I started judging and announcing.  I really enjoy announcing more than judging.  I feel a good announcer can really bring a lot to the games and get people to come back next year. There are so many games that you go to and the people buying the tickets don’t really have a clue of what’s going on in the field.

You have seen the sport evolve a lot, what changes would you like to see?

 I would like to see it like it was when I started.  One national organization- The North American Scottish Games Association works for me. One set of rules- sanctioned meets and judges.

What impresses you now in the sport?

 The athletes!  They have taken the sport to a whole new level from my day.

Who makes you laugh at games now?

 You do Myles I mean com’ oooooooon!  KO is really funny with some great stories.

What do you like to do outside of the games?

I coach shot and discus at high school and play with the grandkids whenever possible.

 What other hobbies do you have?

I have a “mini farm” with a horse, goat, and several chickens.  I also garden and do some woodworking.

What is your favorite food?

Hamburgers! 

What supplements do you take?

Just multi vitamins and fish oil

What do you drink with a meal at home?

Unsweetened tea

What beer do you like?

 Hires root beer

Do you mow your own grass and what kind of mower do you have?

 Sure do- Yardman riding- 22 horse

Are you a Democrat or Republican? 

Republican but my democrat friends think I’m too conservative and my republican friends think I’m to liberal.

Are you into Astrology?  What sign are you?

 No- Capricorn I think

Are you a religious man, and if so, what do you practice?

More spiritual than religious- go to a Methodist church

 What does your wife call you when nobody is around?

 Lar

Where do you take the wife out to eat?

 Either a steakhouse or Chinese

What would your wife say is your best body part?

Shoulders

What do you like to watch on TV?

 Westerns- I like Lost and look forward to seeing how this all comes together this season.

Are you a western movie or sci fi person?  Tell a favorite.

 Western – favorites would include Jeremiah Johnson, The Searchers,

Thank you brother.