Sunday Morning Coffee Club

                                      Thank You

Nothing is forever.  Somethings are only relevant for a short period of time, take the Mayfly. Most of the 2500 different species of Mayflies only live for 24 hours after emerging from the nymph stage.  If I were a Mayfly I would probably be in my 17th or 18th hour of life.  Other things have a greater time frame in which they are relevant.  An ocean mussel called the  Ocean Quahog has an average lifespan of over 400 years.  The oldest Quahog on record was “Ming” Ming the Quahog was 507 years old. So named because he was alive during the Ming Dynasty. Obviously the Mayfly has a greater sense of urgency than the Ocean Quahog when it comes to wanting their life to be fulling and meaningful.

In the last 2 years things in my life have demanded more of my attention and I found myself having to realign my priorities.  There were a lot of things I still wanted to do as the owner of St. Albert Sportsfan, but couldn’t, due to Family, Work, and personnel things that needed more of my time.  I have been thinking about “selling” Sportsfan for the last 2 yrs. But just couldn’t get to the point of pulling the trigger.  I have loved every minute of providing a vehicle that the St. Albert community could utilize to share what is going on “On the Hill.”  After an exhaustive search and a very thorough vetting process with the help of Charlie, I extended an offer to Spencer Sanchez.

There are so many people that have volunteered their time to make Sportsfan what it is today.  Their selfless giving of their time and talents have created a culture that is definitely unique.  I won’t even attempt to list all of the names, you all know them.  I would be remiss though, if I didn’t thank them from the bottom of my heart.  Thankfully I will still be available to “volunteer” my time back to the New Owner.  Things with the website will stay the same for the short term …...BUT, you will start to see Spencers ideas for the website rolling out in the near future.  The new weekly Podcast is one, I for one am excited.  Spencer has some fantastic ideas, and if you think I am going to share those with you, you would be wrong.  

Reflecting back over the last 10 years I have so many great memories.  I tried to compile a top ten list but at best could only narrow it down, a few.  I do have a number one “moment” that influenced my life.  A few years ago, I was asked by the family of a student that had unfortunately succumbed to cancer, to broadcast the funeral services, so that a family member that was out of the country could join in the celebration of life, via the internet.  It was this moment that I realized how this website could impact lives.  

The countless number of text messages, phone calls, emails, that I received thanking us constantly over the years for providing the opportunity to “keep in touch” with the St. Albert Community, reinforced how much apart of this community this little ol website has become. From  Alumni away at college to parents that are not able to be at the game due to business or the Grandma’s and Grandpa’s living halfway across the country, being able to watch their grandson or granddaughter.

A highlight for me was when a father of a student who was a Senior reached out to us. He was two continents away and had to get up at 3:00am log on to Sportsfan to watch his son play football. His heartfelt thanks expressed to us during the game made us feel fricken awesome!  Granted managing this website was not a 40 hr a week job but a heck of a lot of work does go into it.  Feedback like that made it worth it!  I don’t know about you guys but doing good things makes me feel good.

It was not all hugs and kisses though.  It is not a big secret that some schools do not like St. Albert.  I will not debate the merits of this dislike.  That is a winless argument, but suffice to say the heart of the dislike is because St. Albert has defeated their team more times than not.  One particular time does stand out in my memories though.  Although I have not been the most politically correct person over the years I will not throw this particular school under the bus by revealing the name.  Cough Cough Underwood.  Spoiler alert there is a happy ending

We had contacted the AD on Monday to arrange a place to set the equipment up to do the broadcast.  When we got there we were lead to a nice spot above the press box.  5 mins before kickoff an assistant coach storms into the booth and demands that we vacate the area. We calmly explained that we were told by the AD to set up there.  He seemed very determined that we were led astray by the AD. 

So with seemingly nowhere to set up, the fantastic Underwood fans gave up their “spot” just below the press box so we could set up and broadcast the game, hell they even bought us drinks and hot dogs, the hot dogs were pretty good, but not in the same league as our concession though.  

From the highs of winning state championships to the heartbreaking lows of the losses the up close and personal level I was involved with, will stay with me till the day I die.  Getting to the field or gym an hour before anyone else and not leaving until well after the final buzzer has sounded has given me a unique perspective.  As a fan you just show up and enjoy an event and then go home, please look at your schedule and honestly decide if you have a couple of hours a week to help these fine dedicated people that make it happen.

I can not go through this transitional period in my life without letting you know how fortunate I have been to be married to the most amazing woman.  Most of you don’t know her. Some of you even questioned if I was even married, convinced that I had made her up.  She not only “allowed” me to do what I do, but supported me every step of the way.  I am not saying I am the coolest person to hang out with but for some reason she enjoys my company.  And much to my dismay she likes to do things with me.  

Sportsfan was so much more than a hobby it was a part of our lives.  Kelley embraced all the changes and without uttering one complaint she was there for me. And for that I am eternally grateful!

I feel that I owe the St. Albert Community a HUGE thank you for letting me do this.  I owe my wife more than I could ever repay.  Well that’s not entirely true, I could finally install the quarter round in our bedroom that she has been waiting patiently for 6 years.  

A labor of Love pays one so much more than what you invest in, I am a rich man by those standards.

                                    Thank You

                                   Owen Burgin