Two big supporters of the Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project have been my wife and father.
Presuming the travel gods and goddesses are smiling on me, about the time you see this post I’ll be somewhere in the clouds heading west from the dreary late-December weather that is southeast Michigan toward the sunshine of southern California and Event No. 11 of the Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project: The Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl Game.
When I made the decision to retire from a 25-plus year career as an educator in June, I knew that I’d need something to fill the time. As much as anything, that was the impetus for this quest to attend sporting events throughout the world.
And while I’m pleased to say I’m on schedule and under budget (just The 152nd Open Championship was in the red, by just $7.52 [I knew I shouldn’t have had that extra order of fish and chips!]) I’m even more pleased to thank the community of family, friends, and fellow sports fans who’ve provided support – some fiscal, some physical, some moral – along the way. While I know they know who they are, I feel it’s important I acknowledge them publicly.
- Carol, My Wife – Not only is she my best friend and biggest supporter, she’s also the one when I first hatched this crazy idea who didn’t immediately shoot it down. She’s been an encourager, a travel companion (Events No. 2 and 7), constant tech support, and an eagle-eyed proofreader. Carol, I love you, and look forward to the next journey you’ll join me on.
- Helena & Jake, My Adult Children – Attempting to attend 80 sporting events spanning six continents in about three years time means two things: First, dad will be gone quite a bit and, second, dad’s spending the kid’s inheritance. (I know that’s what they’re thinking;-). The former is certainly true, though I’d wager I’m probably around more now than I was during my peak education work and union leadership years. The latter, per our Finance Fella – the next person to thank – will not have the negative impact they theorize it might.
- The Finance Fella – He wishes to remain annonymous, but much like Carol, he didn’t immediately dismiss this crazy idea out of turn. He challenged us to dream audaciously about retirement and when I did, he pressed me to craft a solid cost-estimate before ultimately signing off on this project. His support and money management skills are a major reason why this adventure is possible.
- Jerry, My Dad – I’ve referred to him as patient zero for my sports fandom and my original dream to be a sports writer (which I lived for a decade in a former life). He’s been my most-frequent travel companion to date (Events No. 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6) and, probably next to Carol, my biggest fan. He’s constanting emailing and sending snail mail notes to his friends around the country suggesting they listen to certain episodes of Conversations with Sports Fans and/or read certain blog posts. He’s on deck to ride shotgun for the first three trips of 2025 and he’s already counting the days until being on the grounds of Bethpage Black for the 2025 Ryder Cup in September.
- Tim, Luisa, Jerry, Wendy, Carol B., Ray, & Annonymous, Direct Monetary Support – From the beginning, I’ve been committed to not wanting open either the website or the podcast to advertising. While there could well be a market for it and it could well offset expenditures along the way, I’ve wanted to model any monetary contributions after National Public Radio and Public Television. That is, if you’re enjoying what you’re reading or you’re listening to and would like to support my work, then an avenue exists for you to do so (visit the Support Page on the website). That the individuals listed here have made the decision to support my work heartens me more than they’ll ever know.
- Mike, Helena, Jake, Brandon, Wayne, Rob, Macker, John, Joe, Kevin, (the other) Kevin, Jerry, Scott, Jim, & Geoff, Gifts In Kind – Whether it be picking up a meal, buying some waters when the temperatures at the Cotton Bowl soared to 93 degrees, or offering guidance on website and podcast development or how to go about promoting your work to larger audiences, each of these folks have done something that’s made a huge difference in either me remaining under budget or navigating my way through the starts and stops of a project this grandiose.
These lists will no doubt grow as the journey continues and I may need to go a different direction to honor the many supporters (and I’ve got several hours on a plane today and Thursday to do just that!), but I’m happy to do it here now while it’s still manageable.
In the meantime, if you’re seeing this and would like to support these endeavors but are unsure how to. Well, there is the Support Page referenced above, but an even more low-cost manner of support is, if you’re not currently subscribing to these blog posts, I ask that you do so (see the Subscribe button at the right [if reading on a computer] or below [on a mobile device]). And if you are subscribing, I invite you to spread the word – and the blog! – to other sports fans and invite them to subscribe. As subscriptions increase, at my son’s behest, we’ll look into creating some merchandise for purchase to proudly announce to the world that you’re a fan of The Sports Fan Project.
Many blessing for the coming New Year:-)