There are just a few holiday shopping days left.
While purchasing an obnoxious necktie for dad, a pair of fuzzy slippers for mom, or the gaudiest ski hat on the shelf for your closest sibling are important, getting items which help numerous people are on my list this year.
Here is a Christmas list I think could be beneficial for more than just a handful of coaches, athletes and sports fans in Jefferson County throughout 2007.
Top notch facilities: Construction at Arvada West, Bear Creek, Golden, Lakewood and Ralston Valley high schools have given the opportunity for schools to upgrade when it comes to their athletic facilities. From what I’ve seen already completed at Lakewood and Ralston Valley, Jeffco is starting to catch up with the rest of the state when it comes to upgraded weight rooms and auxiliary gyms.
While waiting for new fields and gyms to be completed might be a pain, opening up those new facilities will be a late holiday gift for a lot of schools. They just will have to wait until 2007 or 2008.
Good spring weather: While the spring high school season might seem like a long way off, it is really just around the corner. Practices start Feb. 20 for the spring season. Weather is always the issue in the spring. A snowy, cold and wet spring dampens any excitement for the short season. Hopefully the weather is unseasonably warm in 2007.
New Jeffco athletic director: While Jeffco made a good move by hiring Kevin Land to replace the retiring Chris Bullard as the athletic director, it was just a temporary fix. The former teacher, athletic director and coach was a one-year stopgap for the district.
Hiring someone who has an athletic background and has a passion to improve the sports in Jeffco is a must.