By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC column is dedicated to Putnam resident Peter Newth.  As the warm weather approaches he’s getting anxious to hit the road with his motorcycle.  Before rolling out his bike, he celebrated another birthday on the day the IRS says you must have your taxes filed.  Happy Birthday, Peter, April 15.

The UConn women’s basketball team celebrated its third consecutive NCAA Championship and coach Geno Auriemma’s 10th NCAA title with a hard earned 63-53 over the one team that seems to be able to give the Lady Huskies a challenge, the Notre Dame Fightin’ Irish.

As a supporter and loyal follower of the UConn women and an ardent fan of coach Muffett McGraw, I originally thought this would be a difficult game to watch because of my allegiance to both teams.  As a Connecticut resident it’s always nice when a State team can “bring home the bacon.”  On the other hand, having put two sons through Our Lady’s university in South Bend, Ind., it’s difficult to root against ND in any sport.

My dilemma, who do I root for in the Championship game?  Rather than root for one team or the other and go through the stress of worrying if my selection would come out on top, I took the politically correct route.  I put myself in a win–win situation.

I decided to watch the game, with a relaxing glass of Pinot Grigio, as an impartial very interested college basketball fan.  This way whatever the outcome the game became a win-win situation for me.

From an impartial point of view it was exciting to see Notre Dame stay within striking distance of the “Mighty Huskies,” something I wasn’t certain they’d be able to do.  It was comforting to get the feeling, that despite some good runs by the Irish, UConn always appeared to be in control of the outcome.  It was a treat to see my Most Outstanding player Moriah Jefferson and the game MOP Breanna Stewart rise to the occasion whenever threatened.  It was also encouraging to see the way Notre Dame’s freshman Brianna Turner played when she relieved herself of the jitters.  And of course it’s always fun to observe Jewell Loyd and her court magic.

It was a surprise that Notre Dame controlled the offensive boards 19-11 and out rebounded the Huskies overall 45-34.  But it wasn’t surprising that the UConn defense forced the Irish to turn the ball over 17 times.  Unbelievable!  It was also a sign of great sportsmanship to see the coaches, McGraw and Auriemma act civilized toward each other.  Whose role is it to teach these young women that leadership starts at the top?  Congratulations, Muffett and Geno.

And finally, it was enjoyable to watch the postgame celebration.  Was I happy with the outcome?  It was a win-win situation, remember?  Who was I really rooting for to emerge as the champions?  You’ll never know.   

Pepsi Hits The Spot With Thompson 

Speedway Motorsports

Things are bubbling at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park (TSMP) as the spring racing season approaches.  In a recent announcement from the Thompson facility, excitement is abounding as TSMP and Pepsi Cola of Central New England have renewed their relationship.  The two organizations had enjoyed a long established relationship in the past.  The return of Pepsi to the facility, “hits the spot,” and will bring back many of the popular brands that Pepsi is famous for and which fans have enjoyed for years.

The highlight of the renewed relationship will be the running of the Pepsi Back to School Bash premiering the Sunoco Modified Double Features.  The event is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, just prior to the opening of the 2015-2016 school year.

“We are excited to be back at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, especially with the new changes that they have undergone in the past year,” said Tim Brown of Pepsi in the news release.

Throughout the racing season, which started with the traditional Icebreaker over the weekend of April 11-12, Pepsi products such as Mountain Dew and Gatorade as well as the standards Pepsi and Diet Pepsi will be featured in the concessions and the Clubhouse Restaurant.

This racing season promises to be a major success for TSMP as it celebrates its 75th Anniversary as one of the oldest continuously operated motorsports facilities in the country all under the jurisdiction of the Hoenig family.  The Motorsports Park provides a wide range of facilities for drivers and automotive enthusiasts including NASCAR racing on its 5/8 mile paved oval, a 1/10 mile quarter midget track and the recently re-opened 1.7 mile road course.  For more information visit www.thompsonspeedway.com. 

Gridiron Scoring Machine Headed 

to Wagner College

Last football season the Hyde School-Woodstock Wolfpack featured one of the most explosive running backs in prep schools throughout the Northeast section of the country.  Jimmy Murphy, the former All-State running back from Avon High School, exploded on the prep school scene electrifying opponent and the Wolfpack faithful.

Murphy became the most dynamic running back in the history of the football program under coach Sean Saucier on the Woodstock campus.  He saved one of his best performances for a 61-46 victory over Kingswood-Oxford School in the New England Preparatory Athletic Council Mike Atkins Bowl.  In the win, Murphy ran for five touchdowns while accumulating 341 yards on the ground from scrimmage.

That contest was a typical Murphy performance as he led the Wolfpack to 7-1 record.  Murphy had at least one touchdown in every game and recorded a stunning seven touchdowns in one contest.  Overall he ran for more than 1800 yards and 30 touchdowns during his postgraduate season.

On Friday, April 3 Murphy was rewarded for his achievements as a high school and prep school football player when he signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his gridiron career at NCAA Division I Wagner College in Staten Island, New York.  The Seahawks are coached by Walt Hameline and play in the Northeast Conference.  The Seahawks open the 2015 season with a pair of big contests.  They open with Rice University and follow that with a game against National power Brigham Young University.

Former Tiger Finishes 4th in Florida Golf

Following a great high school golf career, which featured multiple All-State selections, Tourtellotte Memorial High School grad Matt Smith decided that he wanted to continue his pursuit of a spot on the PGA Tour.  Smith moved on to the University of Hartford on a golf scholarship where he also enjoyed huge success.

Smith led the Hawks, which has produced a number of professional golfers over the years, to new heights.  He was named captain of the U of H golf team in his senior year.  Along the way he picked up a hard earned Connecticut Amateur Golf Championship and along with his dad, Dale Smith, captured the Connecticut Father-Son championship.

Smith now spends his winters in Florida where he works at a golf course and plays as many tournaments as possible in the Sunshine State.  In the recent Lakewood Ranch Open, Smith finished, what was for him, a disappointing fourth in the West Florida Golf tour event.  Entering the final round Smith was on top of the leader board.  In the final round, he fired an even par 72 but it wasn’t good enough to maintain the lead.  The eventual winner Doug Letson shot a blistering 64 to pick up the win.  Smith finished with a 19 under par 269, which was four strokes behind the winner.

Get Well Wishes

Good friend Stan Lesniewski was hospitalized recently for a procedure related to a previous surgery, which he underwent last year.  From all reports and from a telephone call to his hospital room, the former Eastern Board umpire is in good spirits.  His surgeons report that the femoral artery bypass procedure went off as planned with no complications.

It’s expected that Lesniewski will be transferred soon to a rehab facility in the northeastern Connecticut area, where he’s expected to spend a brief stay as he heals and strengthens.  He appreciated the cards and well wishes he received last time he was hospitalized.  Let “Big Stan” know you care by sending him a card or get well note, Stan Lesniewski, P.O. Box 637, North Grosvenordale, CT 06255-0637.

A Final Tribute

I first met Windsor “Winnie” Hall at Victoria Station Café a few years ago.  From our first meeting we became good friends.  Winnie’s personality, which included wry humor and friendly wisecracks, was magnetic.  People were automatically attracted to him.

Winnie Hall, who was born on Christmas Day 1927, died on March 20, 2015.  His passing was received by his many friends from the northeastern Connecticut with great sadness.  I’ll always remember how he enjoyed his cribbage games at Victoria Station with his good friend Bob Werge and other cronies.  I’ll remember his brief stops at Chickering Restaurant with his chauffeur companion Roland “Snook” Gardner, despite his increasing lack of mobility.

I was always intrigued with his stories about his high school days in Putnam where he was a member of the Clippers basketball team and how he met his wife of 66 years, Mary, who was a cheerleader for Tourtellotte Memorial High School.

Despite his debilitating and deteriorating medical condition which was ravaging his body, it could not get to his mind and his soul.  His spirit was always upbeat.  He was encouraging to others around him.  Winnie was a model of courage.  Although I only knew him for probably a decade, he left an indelible impression.  Rest in peace, Winnie.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “Cancer can take away all my physical abilities.  It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart, and it cannot touch my soul.”  Jim Valvano

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