The Hall of BAHL

Sports is and always has played a significant role in my life. I have found that most all of life's lessons are learned between the lines. Discipline, individual responsibility, teamwork and sportsmanship are among many opportunities presented within the games that offer guidance to prosper in life.

Over the years, there have been many individuals associated with sports that I have looked up to, been a fan of, owned a jersey of or just pulled for. These are my guys, and although it has not always been a road without bumps for many, these are my guys.

In an effort to recognize these folks, I announce The Hall of BAHL. Individuals making this list may or may not be the greatest ever players, coaches or ambassadors, but they are my favorites. Each year, I will induct five members into The Hall of BAHL.

In honor of my good buddy and Sportsman Big Ole BudFeiser, who we lost earlier this year and who I grew up playing sports with, each class henceforth will be announced on his birthday, June 13.

The inductees for the inaugural Hall of BAHL class are listed below:

BOBBY BOWDEN

Former Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden, who built Florida State from nothing into a national power, is a man I have held in the highest admiration from the moment he came to FSU.

Coach Bowden is no doubt one of the best coaches to ever blow a whistle, but his faith, attitude, competitiveness, perseverance and integrity helped mold most of the young men he came in contact with to be better men.

All of us who have been around Coach Bowden just love him, and we will all be forever grateful to him for what he has meant to our beloved Florida State University.

TOM OSBORNE

Dr. Tom Osborne, who guided The University of Nebraska to three national championships in his 25 year head coaching career, is another I hold in the highest regard. Plain spoken, Osborne is a Nebraskan who jumped from assistant under Bob Devaney to guide the Cornhuskers from 1973 to 1997.

Osborne, who holds a doctorate in educational psychology from UNL, served 6 years in the US House of Representatives before coming back to UNL to become Althletic Director and program losing the identity he developed during his tenure.

Even though he was winning big, Dr. Tom was almost run out of town in the early going, but through his discipline approach relying on the principles that Nebraska is known for, faith, hard work and personal accountability, Osborne walked away from the game on a five year run of three national titles and a 60-3 record, dominating the game.

RICHARD PETTY

Richard Petty has won more NASCAR races than anyone, driving his famed Petty blue stock car for five decades. Petty won his final race, his 200th, on Independence Day in 1984, with President Ronald Reagan in attendance.

"The King", Petty helped bring NASCAR from a truly regional sport to the multi-billion dollar operation it is today through not only his winning races, but his transcending smile and personality.

I grew up a fan of Petty, and was in Daytona as he guided his #43 STP Pontiac Grand Prix around the high banks on his farewell tour for the last time. Petty remains a car owner and continues to do promotional appearances, ever so high in stature as NASCAR's King Richard.

GEORGE BRETT

I became a Kansas City Royals fan when I had occasion to catch some games in Kansas City in the mid '70s, and as a young aspiring third basemen, became a fan of George Brett.

When the Royals held spring training down in Haines City at Baseball City, I got a chance to visit with him frequently. Brett was stellar player, and ranks among the best hitters ever to play the game. In fact, Brett is the only player to win the batting title in three different decades (76, 80, 90). Although a jokester with a charming smile, Brett was a fiery competitor. His run at Ted Williams record .406 batting average in 1980 was one for the ages.

George remains a consultant with Royals to this day.

KEITH JACKSON

By far, college football is my favorite sport. I rarely missed televised games as a child, and calling the play by play describing the color and pageantry of NCAA College Football was ABC's Keith Jackson.

Mr. College Football, Jackson had a unique way of bringing the game to viewers who watched from couches across the fruited plain. Jackson respected and promoted the traditions, coaches and players and rivalries which make the game special.

Terms of endearment to the game such as "Whoa Nelly", "The Big Uglies" and "Fumble" will never be forgotten, nor will Jackson. Keith Jackson, a big man at 6'4 275, is a bigger man in the annuals of America's greatest game, NCAA College Football.