[Hieronymus]

I wonder what Johnny would say.

I expect that any one who wasn’t fit enough to manage this in a half-hour wouldn’t make JV.

My impressions of the past may be clouded by time, however. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

[gundog]

Well, it sounds like a stupid exercise for body-building. The coach claims it was an exercise in discipline. The guy sounds like a sadist.

Johnny would have sat the team down for an hour of Algebra 3-4 if he wanted to torture them.

[gundog]

Looking up info on Brother Gus the other day, I found Johnny’s over-all record as head coach. I never paid attention, at the time, but it was pretty mediocre. I think that stems from his intractable nepotism at the QB position. His four sons had to play that position. I have no doubt that he dearly loved his teams....I remember a girl rolling her eyes when she heard he had the team over to his home to watch old MHS football films on Christmas day. His son from the class of ‘79 went on to coach Sheldon High to an undefeated season and several State titles. I think the whole clan relocated there, and I wasn’t surprised when his younger brother replaced him as head coach.

https://www.oregonlive.com/highschoolsports/article/football-sheldon-coach-marty-johnson-facing-a-decision-he-knew-was-coming/

[TigerHawk]

WHEN I WAS IN THE ARMY I WAS ORDERED TO RUN THE OBSTACLE COURSE (CONFIDENCE COURSE) ALL BY MYSELF AS THE COMPANY WATCHED.

I CRAWLED UNDER THE BARBED WIRE, RAN TO A 3’WIDE TUNNEL DUG IN THE GROUND, CRAWLED IN AND WOULDN’T COME OUT. AN INSTRUCTOR YELLED AT ME TO COME OUT, SO I TOLD HIM TO COME IN AND GET ME. HE STARTED TO JUMP ON THE TUNNEL (NO CONDUIT PIPE JUST BARE EARTH), SO I SCRAMBLED OUT. WE WERE BOTH LAUGHING WHEN A SGT. CAME OVER AND TOLD ME TO WIPE THE SMILE OFF MY FACE. “I CAN’T SGT., I’M TOO HAPPY.” (I WAS JUST THAT WAY, I GUESS.)

“GET DOWN AND GIVE ME 20 (PUSH UPS)!”SO I DID, AND CAME UP SMILING.
“TOLD YOU TO WIPE THAT SMILE OFF YOUR FACE!”
“I CAN’T SGT. I’M STILL TOO HAPPY!” IF THERE WEREN’T HUNDREDS OF EYES ON US HE’D HAVE KILLED ME ON THE SPOT!
“GIVE ME ANOTHER 20!” I DID, AND POPPED UP SMILING, SO AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN, 20 AT A TIME, FOR HUNDREDS OF THEM. WHEN I COULDN’T DO ANYMORE IT WAS SIT UPS. WHEN MY COMPANY SGT FOUND OUT ABOUT IT HE CAME OVER, PUT AN END TO IT, TOLD THIS IMPOTENT SADIST (THERE’S ALWAYS THAT 10%) THAT IF HE EVER MESSED WITH ANY OF HIS MEN AGAIN HE’D KILL HIM, AND TOOK ME TO THE INFIRMARY.

MY ARMS WERE SO SWOLLEN THAT I LOOKED LIKE POPEYE, AND IT TOOK DAYS TO RECOVER.

YOUR EXPECTATIONS ARE WAY, WAY OFF. TRUST ME ON THAT.