I grew up with athletics. They were always important to me. I grew up two doors down from my high school football coach, Dick Walsh. The fact that I'm still in athletics amazes me. I'm proud of it.

His ears made him look like a taxicab with both doors open

Meridian grew 400 percent last year so we had five times as much business as the year before. Much of that was due to the Austin Energy solar rebate.

There are so many events there - the floor is put up and taken down all the time, and that shortens the shelf life quite a bit.

Our coach, Jack Wallace, would nod and clap, and that meant you had the green light to steal. The first time he did it I wasn't sure if I had seen right, because there was only one out. But he did it again. It was probably our only chance to beat Ryder. He had struck out something like 22 batters that day.

Most all the courts are maple now. The wood is strong enough, and it's got a good color to it.