Some rivalries may be older, like the Lone Star Showdown between Texas and Texas A&M. Some may be more prominent in the media, like the River Red Showdown between Oklahoma and Texas. Some may be more heated. After all, the state House of Representatives has never had to suspend the series because of constant violent outbursts as has happened to Alabama/Auburn.

But no rivalry can touch the Alabama/Tennessee series in terms of respect. Both programs are among the winningest in the nation with a history of employing exemplary coaches. For years, both teams were coached by men with ties to the program, who lived the importance of the game, and came back year after year for another chance at winning the most significant game of the season. Because of that, the hatred was tempered by respect for the tradition of the other program.

In recent years, to the chagrin of all involved, the rivalry has lost its luster. This is partly due to down years at Bama, followed by down years at Tennessee. More fault can be placed on the expansion of the SEC. Dividing the conference into East and West has placed more emphasis on the Alabama/Auburn and Tennessee/Florida games. But most of the blame lies on the off field controversy regarding Phillip Fulmer’s handling of Bama’s alleged recruiting practices.

That was a turning point in the series. A good old fashioned rivalry was dragged through the mud on its way to courtrooms. The resulting sanctions severely damaged Bama’s cache, and turned Fulmer into the most hated man in the state. They accused him of being a low life snitch, and Fulmer continued to accuse Alabama of being low life cheaters. The respect and civility that had defined the series devolved into outright, bitter hatred.

The recent coaching changes in both programs opened the opportunity to return the rivalry to its former glory, and Lane Kiffin embraced the chance. To the disappointment of the media, the “Mouth of the South” had nothing but courteous comments about Saban, going so far as to admit he was using the Tide as a model for rebuilding UT’s program. Both teams fought a clean, traditional, smashmouth battle on the field. Afterwards, the coaches civilly shook hands, and even the opposing quarterbacks shared a moment. Fans can mark this date as yet another turning point in the storied, century old series.

Saturday’s game might have been a loss for Tennessee, but it was a win for the rivalry.

Boys and girls ages 8-15 can showcase their punting, passing and kicking abilities.  The top finisher in each age group will advance to the Sectional Competition and could eventually have a chance to compete in the National Finals during an NFL playoff game.  All participants launch one punt, one pass and one kick to be scored on distance and accuracy.

Registration forms can be completed at Parks & Recreation, Kleeman Community Center, Burt-Cobb Community Center, and Crow Community Center or online at www.cityofclarksville.com.  Registration is free.

Each participant must have a valid birth certificate and parental signature.

For more information, call Parks & Recreation at 645-7476 or visit www.cityofclarksville.com/parksandrec.

Some coaches have fueled the flames of controversy by defying the law and the court. One Tennessee High School coach is pushing the envelope when he stated to the Tennessean, “Every day when we finish practice, we take a knee, bow our heads and say the Lord’s Prayer at practice …” and before each game I tell them to pray for themselves and their teammates.

Defying the courts is an unwise decision and there is a price in doing so by coaches or anyone. Such religious practices have been ruled out of bounds by the courts. A football coach job description doesn’t include religious activities. Coaches in high schools are not exempt from the law; ignoring court rulings is hazardous to a coaching career. The courts’ interpretation and application of this ruling only applies to public schools and does not extend to parochial schools.

It’s patriotic, and American, to call such violations to the attention of school administrators and seek redress in such situations.  The court ruling acknowledges that.  There is a proper time and place for religious activities. As I understand it, a football coach can observe the rules by simply announcing there will be a moment of silence by the team and not making any faith-based comments.

Clarksville Academy is allotted 530 tickets and they are being sold in the office on a first-come, first-serve basis until 3:00 p.m. today.

Remaining tickets will be sold on Monday morning beginning at 7:30 a.m. We will continue selling tickets throughout the day until all are sold. Ticket price:  $6.00 per person.

William’s jersey plaque was placed on the north wall of the Center, a sports arena years after Martin put APSU on the sports map.

Williams expressed his appreciation to the SRO crowd and thanked former coach Lake Kelly and his teammates from 1972-73 and 1973-74 seasons. APSU lost the game with Martin in an overtime decision, 87-82, dropping APSU to 12-10 in the Ohio Valley Conference.

In his time at APSU, Brooklyn native James “Fly” Williams brought national acclaim to the previously unknown college basketball team on the Clarksville campus. “Good memories,” Fly said, even as his fans remembered his exhuberant style on and off court. Fly led APSU to  NCAA tournaments twice.

Fly is currently promoting a book, Fly 35, by Dave Link, which documents Fly’s life, including his later involvement with drug addiction, violence and time spent in prison.

His rehabilitation from that seamier side of life now has him placing his hand “in God’s” and working to bring a message of hope to young people in sports and beyond sports.

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Kerry Alsbrooks, Randall Boen, Nathaniel Alsbrooks, Dan Rachlin, David Boen

The water was frigid, as tested out by me when I immediately fell in while pushing off my kayak.  I’ve pushed off my kayak hundreds of times so falling in like that seemed kind-of (all-the-way) stupid.  Just to keep me company, Kerry’s little dog fell in also in a separate incident and shortly after me.  Kerry’s dog had Chihuahua-like leg shaking for awhile but we were both fine and the air was so warm that I chose to kayak in wet clothes and was totally comfortable.   Wet clothes, on the river, two days after Christmas.  That’s warm.

Mental note:  for winter boating always bring along a spare pair of clothes.  I had done that this time thinking that Dan might fall in.  I teased him about falling in; telling him that I had brought my camera.  My instant karma is always entertaining for somebody.

Though I could immediately stand up after I fell in, it took several seconds to be able to breathe; the cold water seemed to have made my lungs stop working.  I stood there gasping while the guys were in disbelief that I had actually fallen in.  My body was panicked, my brain had little power over it while it could not breathe.

Made me think morbid thoughts like what it would be like to fall in the ocean or to be out in the middle of the river not being able to breathe.  But those thoughts involved wearing a life jacket.  What about falling in without a lifejacket?  Even here in the small river, I can imagine my body so shocked and paralyzed by the cold that I might not be able to save myself.  I might not be able to think, which is what I felt like in the moments when my body was grasping for air.  This scenario is a very real danger.

I remember back to the life saving techniques we were taught in high school.  Never, never swim up to a drowning person, they told us.  They will climb on you and hold you under with incredible strength.  Throw them a life preserver instead.  Well, yeah, I can understand why even I might climb on top of someone.

I’ve seen many adults in boats with no lifejackets on.  Sometimes kids have lifejackets on though their adults don’t (kids will eventually copy by example).  So what if the adult falls in and the kid trys to save them?  Morbid.   I can’t help but think back to stories of someone drowning trying to save someone else.  Nobody talks about how the drowning person might accidentally act.

Winter kayaking

Wisdom lesson:  Wear lifejackets when you get in a boat.  No matter what.  Show children through example.  Yeah, nobody wants to feel “restricted” like how we resisted wearing seatbelts.  For our family’s seatbelt lesson we rode in the old truck, which didn’t have seatbelts, just down the road.  Driving at practically a crawl another car whipped in front of us and David slammed on the breaks.  Both our kid’s heads hit the dashboard in a split second.  There was no stopping it.  I insist that everyone riding in my car wears a seatbelt to keep them alive and because if an adult starts flying around in my car, I am going to get hurt.  We never think about ways to excuse ourselves from wearing lifejackets, we always wear them and we’re used to it.

Falling in the water was actually exhilarating once I could breathe again.  Never mind the time I wasted feeling like a dope.

Boating in the winter is beautiful (without the bugs and poison ivy) and the foliage is down so you can see things you couldn’t see before.  You can walk places you can’t walk in the summer.  Kerry tried some fishing.

A great blue heron took off above us while we paddled and we saw a huge one when we were driving away for the day.  A red-tailed hawk rose in the air above us and circled higher as another red-tailed hawk screeched his disapproval.   Down a more secluded fork in the river I saw many turtles (red-eared sliders) out and sunning themselves.  I never thought I’d see turtles out in December but then I’m usually not kayaking in December in 70 degree weather.

Nathaniel Alsbrooks

Kerry’s son, Nathaniel, managed a canoe by himself.  Put any kid in a smaller kayak and they can usually act like a pro within minutes but I wouldn’t guess that about canoeing.   Canoeing seems like a definite two person operation.  Person in front provides the power, person in back steers.  Nathaniel and his dad both use kayak paddles to manage their canoes.

I picked up a few pieces of driftwood to perhaps make art with.  It was another fine outing in Tennessee.

The Crow Community Center at 211 Richview Road announces it’s first annual Holiday 3 on 3 Invitational Basketball Tournament is set for December 12th and 13th.

Registration sign-ups are being taken at the Crow Center on a first come, first served, basis as there will only be 64 slots for teams to participate.  Registration fees are $40.00 per 4 man team, 18 years or older, and all registration sign-ups must be received no later than November 21st.   All team members will receive a tournament t-shirt on the day of check-in, December 12th.

Each game will be played to 20 points or who ever is in the lead after 30 minutes.  The tournament will be played in single elimination rounds.   Each team registered will receive a set of rules for the tournament at the time of registration.

On Friday, December 12th, check-in be from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. with the first round of games stating at 6 p.m.  On Saturday, December 13th, check-in is from 12 noon until 1 p.m. with the second round of games starting at 1 p.m.

For more information on this tournament, contact center director Matt Nixon at 931-647-3071.

The Fox took the IWFL Tier II Mid-South Championship in 2008. They are the youngest team ever to play in the Independent Women’s Football League. For more information, visit the Fox Football website or call 931-329-2976.

I have always wanted to jump out of an airplane. It was an item on my bucket list. You know, a list of things to do before you kick the proverbial bucket. So when a chance came to cross one of those items off my list by jumping out of an airplane, and then write about it, I, please pardon the pun, jumped at the opportunity…

Here is the rest of his story:

My first jump

The next weekend I returned to cover Clarksville Online Editor Christine Piesyk’s first flight behind the controls of an airplane…something I would have loved to do myself — but I didn’t want to steal all of the fun.

When we arrived I spoke again with Chuck of Adventure Skydiving and asked if their offer of a free jump was still open. He assured me it was. As the next flight was already full, I was added to the following flights passenger list, given a heap of paperwork, and told they would call me when it was time to suit up. We made arrangements for Christine to go up and watch me go out of the plane as well.

I went into the airport’s restaurant and began filling out the lengthy releases required by their attorneys. When finished, I returned the paperwork to the Adventure Skydiving representative. A few minutes later we proceeded outside to watch the jumpers come down on their colorful canopies

When I came back inside, my jump partner came over to me. I turned my camera over to Turner McCullough Jr., who would be photographing my jump from the ground.

The first thing you don is the harness, after loosening the leg straps my jump partner had me step inside them. Once my legs were in positioned he pulled the harness up, and like a jacket, had me put my arms inside the shoulder straps. We then fastened straps across my waist and chest. At this point, I stood as my partner made the straps good and snug. Hanging down from the waist and each shoulder were the connections where I would be connected to him. They wouldn’t hook us up together until we were in the air.

He told me we would be sitting in the plane and he would tap me when we were to stand up and move to the door. Then at the door I was to grab my harness and wait to exit the plane. Keep your hands on your harness, “Don’t grab my hands or we both die,” he said. I assured him that it wouldn’t be a problem. Then he told me that he would tap me on the shoulders three times. The first time he tapped me I was to let go of my harness and hold my arms out to my side at a 90 degree angle, and at the same time I was to bend my legs back and try to kick him in the butt. This was the free falling position. He said he would tap me on the shoulder again right before he pulled the rip cord. He said that it would feel like we accelerated then there would be a small jerk as the chute opened up. The last time he tapped me would be right before landing, when I was to put my legs straight out in front of me. He said we would land on our butts.

Members of the 101st Parachute Team check each others equipment

We then went outside and waited to board the airplane. With us were Editor Christine Piesyk, two members of the 101st parachute team doing some weekend jumping, and three other civilian who were also solo jumping. My partner and I were the only tandem jumpers on this flight. Last, but most certainly not the least, was our pilot.

I have long hair and foreseeing a problem I tried to position my hair in such a way that it wouldn’t be a problematic on this jump. I finally put it in a tightly wrapped bun and positioned it under the strap on my goggles. My partner said that it wouldn’t do any good but I was confident that my solution would prevent him from getting smacked by my loose hair.

We then boarded the plane. First the pilot, then my skydiving partner and myself, then the other jumpers, and then last, but certainly not least, Christine. After everyone was in and the doors were closed, the plane quickly taxied to the runway and then took off.

The climb up to altitude was pretty much the same as the first time I went up on the skydiving plane. As we climbed my skydiver hooked my harness to his. He checked our equipment as the other solo skydivers checked each others. It seemed like only an instant until the cries of “Door” sounded once again through the plane. When the door was opened the pilot gave his cue for the solo jumpers to exit. Again, with no hesitation, they exited the aircraft. We climbed some more and the pilot gave us our signal.

Up until this point, I was pretty much okay, a bit nervous, but nothing major. We stood and moved up to the door of the plane. Speaking from experience here, it’s scary as hell the first time you stand there looking out that door, knowing that in moments you will be jumping out through it. My editor Christine Piesyk watched me as I moved up to and went out the door. She has gleefully described my face as white as a sheet.

In an instant, we launched forward through the door. My stomach dropped like a rock, and there was a fleeting moment where my brain told my body that “we are going to die.” It was kind of like the feeling that you get when you receive the news a loved one has died, or the feeling you get right as you realize you’re having a car accident. There was an instantaneous release of endorphins. The feeling of fright seems to last forever but, in reality it only lasted for a few seconds. Then I got the first tap on my shoulders and moved my body into the free fall position.

The next thing you have to deal with was a 120mph wind blowing into your face. The sensation is as if you were breathing water, but in reality it was just lots and lots of air. This lasted for a few more seconds, then came the tap on the shoulder comes, and your parachute opens.

We were safe. There is nothing like the view that I had laid out before me. It’s a view known to few in the world, shared only by the birds, the sun, pilots, and my fellow skydivers. I wish I could have managed to take my camera without losing it or killing someone, because it was absolutely breathtaking. The blue sky, the green, yellow, and brown ground. You could see all of Fort Campbell in one commanding view. Below us was the entire airfield. It’s really hard to describe it and have the words be worthy of the view that we were presented with that day.

After a few minutes of gentle floating my skydiving partner asked me if I would like to try some stunts. I said sure and suddenly we were plummeting straight at the ground. Only to pull up sharply a few seconds later. We did this several times then nearing the ground swung around and started our approach to the landing area.

Wiht final tap, and as the ground approached, I lifted my legs as instructed on the ground before our jump. I was expecting a jar as we impacted the ground but the landing was gentle, more so than those diving turns we made as we descended. I could at last appreciate the elation of those women, who were on the plane the first time I went up with Adventure Skydiving. The adrenalin rush lasted for 3-4 hours after the jump. It’s an unforgettable experience and one I would not mind repeating.

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Local airfield serves up multitude of aviation and aerial activity. Private flights, flight training and skydiving bring diverse family clientele to an unsung city and county resource.

Outlaw Field. Do you know where it is? Do you know what goes on out there? Chances are, most Clarksvillians don’t know much about the beehive that is Outlaw Field.

Brooks Louie, 13, is ready for his second flight. He is already a member fo the Civil Air Patrol.

The local aviation facility serves as the basis for a myriad of aviation activity. Private pilots house their private planes and jets there. But there is much more than that going on at this unassuming little facility.

Interested in learning to fly, getting your pilot’s license? Outlaw Field has provisions to assist the budding pilot. Youngsters wishing to investigate and pursue flight instruction can join the CAP (Civilian Air Patrol).

People as young as 13 can sign up and learn about aviation, flight training and public service. Brooks Louie at 13 is taking flight lesson #2, and already has a dream of aviation and future study at the United States Air Force Academy.

Family participation high on your list? Outlaw Field’s got options for you. The adventurous and the thrill-seeker will find their satisfaction at Adventure Skydiving Experience.

Learn and train to skydive and then fulfill your dreams as you actually board the plane and finally step out into the wide blue skies, soaring like an eagle! You may actually soar with one if you’re lucky!

Additionally, you can try tandem jumps, where non-experienced skydivers are anchored to a professional skydiver, enabling them to experience the thrill of the biggest rush you can have, legally! They make great birthday and anniversary gifts.

Indeed, this writer witnessed a middle-aged mother suiting up for her birthday gift tandem jump while visiting the airfield. I watched her land and saw firsthand the thrilled look on her face as she came back into the terminal. She was jubilant and enthused. Her grandchildren were excited to see their grandmother flying “just like daddy!”

Families do get involved in this sport, young and old, male and female, able-bodied or not so able-bodied. It’s incredible to see the enthusiasm evidenced by those participating in this sport. On these action packed weekends, it is not unusual to see children scrambling around the the terminal and on the tarps spread out on the lawn where jumpers (their moms and dads) untangle and re-pack their silks.

Giving back to the community is also something that happens at Outlaw Field. On the weekend I first visited, the ‘Thank You Foundation’ had hosted courtesy tandem jumps for wounded veterans. While I didn’t arrive in time to view the spectacle, the camaraderie that hung in the air was fully palpable even after the jumps were concluded.

Volunteers came to pack chutes, aid the wounded soldiers and veterans in suiting up and making sure the experience was nothing but pure pleasure for their fellow brothers. Active duty, retired and civilians all teamed up to make the day a true gift to these wonderful people. Terry Morgan coordinated the tandem jump event.

Naturally with all this activity under one roof, hunger must be satisfied. Again, Outlaw Field answers the call. The airport cafe is a full service eatery of taste tempting traditional American fare. Whether it be breakfast — don’t miss the opportunity to try the hash browns casserole! — to the lunch specials, this cafe serves it hot, plentiful and good. The First Class Burger and Fries will satisfy the most ardent appetite. The iced tea hits the thirst spot with complete satisfaction.

If you have ever wondered what it would be like to pilot a plane or jump out of one, Outlaw Field is your natural destination. Satisfy your curiosity and gain a new perspective on your world. Discover Outlaw Field and discover the world of the skies.

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[Uncredited photo by Turner McCullough Jr.]

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. To mark the event, Baptist Hospital and Urology Associates will present Nashville’s Inaugural Great Prostate Cancer Challenge 5K Run/Walk. The Challenge will be held September 6 at 7:30 AM at Centennial Park, rain or shine. The course begins and ends in Centennial Park. Event registration is $20 pre-race and $25 on race day.

Awards will be given to the top male and female runners overall, top male and female runners in various age groups, top fundraising team and largest team. Eligible participants will also receive a free voucher for a prostate cancer screening from Urology Associates. Lelan Staton, meteorologist at WTVF, NewsChannel 5, will serve as master of ceremonies for the one-day event.

In addition to registration, the event organizers are seeking race-day volunteers, donations of door prizes, after-race breakfast donations and sponsors.

The Great Prostate Cancer 5K Run/Walk being presented by Urology Associates and Baptist Hospital benefits the American Urological Association Foundation and proceeds will support prostate cancer research, screenings and awareness in the community. Greater awareness of prostate cancer and preventive screening is especially encouraged among African American men.

Prostate cancer is a disease that touches the lives of one in six men. Approximately 218,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. That breaks down to one new case every 2.5 minutes. 27,000 men will die from the disease. There is a greatly increased risk for those with a family history of the disease and for African American men. Early screening is essential in reducing the fatality rate. Men are advised to seek prostate screening at age 40 and beyond. Fortunately, if prostate cancer is caught and treated early, the cure rate is 90 percent.

For more information or to register for the Great Prostate Cancer Challenge 5K Run/Walk, visit www.greatprostatecancerchallenge.com.

Basic info for this story drawn from Baptist Hospital’s website media press release, WTVF home page and ‘The Tennessean.’

The Fox in two years have become a Championship organization and hope to build on that success with the recruitment of new team members.

Rob “Pops” Brown, owner/general manager for the The Clarksville Fox Women’s Semi-Pro Football Team said:

“As you already know, the Fox finished up their season as the IWFL Tier Two Division Champions and the youngest women’s full contact football team to play for the national Championship in any of the top leagues in women’s football. We are very excited about that accomplishment and want to take the next step in 2009 and WIN the 2009 IWFL National Championship. In order to do this, the Fox is starting now with off-season conditioning and taking sign-ups for the team’s tryout for the 2009 season.”

The Fox will have four sign-ups, one each month starting August 30th followed by a tryout on December 13th. All the sign-ups and the try-outs will be done at Northwest High School in Clarkville.

“he Fox was blessed with a great team of players coming from as far as Memphis, Evansville, Bowling Green, Nashville, and the Clarksville Fort Campbell area to play on the team with the best coaches in women’s football headed by Ron Graham.” — Rob Brown

If you are a woman athlete and want to chase this dream and play the most ultimate sport for women, come sign up and be a FOX!!! For more information, e-mail The Fox at , or call 931-648-8130 or 931-320-2906.

The deadline to enter the tournament is noon, Thursday, September 11th. An entry fee of $100 earns the golfer two rounds of golf which includes a practice round at Swan Lake between September 8-12 (cost of cart not included in the practice round); lunch both days, and the opportunity to win cash and prizes. Entry forms are available at all local golf courses and pro shops, or at Clarksville City Hall, One Public Square.The 36-hole event is flighted after the first day of play. The player with the lowest gross score for the 36 holes of play will be the champion. Prizes will be the same in each flight. Participants will receive a t-shirt and other complimentary gifts.

Rob Long was the winner for the 7th time in 2007. Brian Balthrop was the winner 2006. Other winners include Greg Guinn in 2004 and Adam Shanks in 2002.

For more information about the 2007 Mayor’s Golf Classic, please contact the Mayor’s office, 931-645-7444.

Guest speaker for this event will represent Soles 4 Souls, a charitable organization dedicated to donating shoes to the poor via shoe drive, shoe, drop, giving shoes to children, disaster relief, and providing assistance in obtaining good footwear. Participants are encouraged to bring in old pairs of shoes (one pair or as many as you want to donate), with the individual donating the greatest number of shoes winning a free pair of new shoes from R3.

Entry fees for the 5K run is $20 per individual, with a discounted $17 fee for Team R3, CRC, military, and APSU students (ID required). Fee for the fitness walk is $15 ($12 for Team R3, CRC, military, and APSU students (ID required). The Fun Run is a free 1/2 mile run with all participants receiving ribbons.

Prizes will be awarded for $1st, 2nd and 3rd place overall male and female, and the top three in standard five year age groups. All participants receive fitness walk ribbons and fun run ribbons. Door prizes, including GARMIN 50 and free entry into both the upcoming October Half Matrathon (Let Freedom Run) and the November Turkey Run, will be raffled off.

Forms can be downloaded from the R3 website and either dropped off at the shop or mailed directly to R3 Running, Racing, Relaxing at 2535 Madison Avenue, Suite H, Clarksville 37043.