Last year I started a thread entitled "Rollercoaster Ride". In part, our son had been experiencing a VERY rough few years at Penn State due to a many factors. Chief among them was his TJ injury, rehab, and setback in returning to the field, along with a COMPLETE coaching change at the university. Well, I apologize upfront for being a "proud parent" here, but if you would have told me LAST year at this time what my son would overcome and accomplish within a year...well, I would probably have thought you were one of those folks who voted for Sanjaya!

http://www.centredaily.com/146/story/91057.html

This is a link to an article that is in today's paper about my son and what he's been thru and accomplished. I am so VERY, VERY proud of that kid. Honestly, if it had been me experiencing the things my son has, I probably would have given up and packed it in. My son is a stronger and more stubborn person than I am obviously. Those traits that drove me to distraction while he was a kid, have proven to be the very traits that will help him succeed in life of that I am sure.

Yes, the rollercoaster ride continues. Altho, for the moment, it is a much more fun ride than last year. But we all know how humbling the game of baseball is, and how quickly things can change. So, we take each day as it comes and enjoy those moments. I can honestly say that my son has taught me that no matter how bleak and discouraging a situation is...there is always hope.

Thanks for indulging a VERY proud mom!

Excuse the intrusion, but WOW! Happy things have worked out. Great determination and fortitude!!

You should be proud!!

You are "indulged" ---great article

Frank - there is no intrusion - you are always welcome here per our open forum policies

luvbb - what an awesome story of perseverence and success

I am a very proud member of this forum for having read that story. Continued success to Joe and the Nitany Lions

I'll lift a toast to the young man

Great story about sticking to IT.

luvbb,

What a great story, you have every right to be proud.

I know something like that would be framed and on my office wall in short order. Keep on braggin and best of luck this weekend in Michigan.

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I am a very proud member of this forum for having read that story.

Well Dan, IMO there are some members of this forum who were instrumental in "talking me down off the ledge" of that roller coaster ride the prior year....you know who you are! The words of wisdom and encouragement helped immensely.

Thanks everyone for letting me acknowledge my son publicly.

That is such a great story...and I just love happy endings! My Grandpa used to say, "It's not how you start that matters, its how you finish"...

Kathy, You know the folks here in the PA/KY/OH/WV forum (notice who I put first!!! ) have always believed in Joe. A big pat on the back to him for working hard to do what he and everyone else knew he could do!

GREAT article!!!! Congrats to Joe.

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...and I just love happy endings!

Catsuremom....LUCKILY Joe's injury was diagnosed 10 games into his sophomore season so he JUST squeaked by with a medical redshirt that year. Which means....he STILL has another year left of eligibility. So we still have more baseball to look forward to, and the end is not here yet!

Again...thanks everyone!

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So we still have more baseball to look forward to, and the end is not here yet!

If he keeps hitting .400 and catching the way he has been, the end won't be here for quite some time into the future and certainly beyond college

Thanks for the sentiments Dan. But honestly, we're just trying to enjoy it day by day and not look beyond much further. I think our son was flying so far UNDER the radar coming into this season (due to the injury and horrible year last year coming off the injury).....it might take another season for him to even get ON the radar. Right now, he's planning on student teaching and taking his LSAT's in the fall....so, we'll see.

luvbb
WOW!!! He shows allot of character and patience by not giving up. I too have a catcher and I don't know how except for the love of the game.... that they continue to do what they do. I remember this rollercoaster ride and I'm glad to hear he is doing so well. Congrats!! keep us posted

Lori

Really nice article! Glad things have worked out for him after everything he went thru. I'll pass this info onto Steve so Zig and the others who know him can read it.

And another year to go...

Atta Boy Joe!!
Way ta make momma proud!
Nice job with the young man Luvbb!

Happy Mothers day to all you wonderful moms out there!! God bless you for putting up with us guys and doing so much for your families.

Well, it was exactly a year ago that several of us gathered in Columbus to watch Luvbb's son Joe play against Ohio State. It proved to be a very long weekend for Luvbb, as Joe didn't see any action -- rollercoaster was pretty low at that point. But a good summer, followed by his determined efforts back at PSU made that coaster shoot right back up to the top. We are all so happy for the Blackburns!! And this weekend, when OSU goes to PSU, I have a feeling that Joe will be on the field for every inning!!

On a personal note, our rollercoaster ride has evened out a bit, though with a few twists and turns. And it is slowing down as we near the end. The baseball has been a little slow for my son, due to some arm problems. But on a much brighter side, he GRADUATED a couple of weeks ago, and we are so proud! He got through in 4 years, and was the only senior on his team to do so. He is enrolling in grad school this summer and should complete his MBA in a little more than a year. So let's not forget what other things make our rollercoasters go up and down

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He got through in 4 years, and was the only senior on his team to do so. He is enrolling in grad school this summer and should complete his MBA in a little more than a year.

Huge congrats to Mike

Thanks, Dan. And thanks for all the support that occurs on the HSBBW. It not only helps us endure that rollercoaster ride -- it also makes it more fun!