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Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life
by Tom Kelley
Opening night. The glitter of the marquee. It could be a show on Broadway, a picture at the Cineplex, or a local restaurant just down the street from you. Opening nights are a big deal for a lot people. They just simply have to be there and be able to say that they were there. Opening nights are important also for other situations. Take the case of the opening night of Pauley Pavilion, the home of the University of California at Los Angeles Bruins basketball team. Yeah, you got it; UCLA.
Pauley Pavilion opened the night of December 1,1973. The legendary John Wooden was still coaching the powerhouse Bruins who were favored again to go all the way to the final game in the NCAA Tournament. Their opponent for the night was the University of Maryland coached by another legend, Lefty Driesell. Driesell had proclaimed his Maryland squad to be the "UCLA of the East." Everything was in place for a game that should do the opening of the new basketball arena quite proud. The two teams didn't disappoint.
UCLA entered the game with a 76 game win streak and no intentions of failing to secure number 77. However, Maryland refused to go away against the seven-time defending national champions. In the final moments of the game UCLA freshman Richard Washington missed a free throw to open the door for the upset. As the Terrapins started their drive to what they thought would be the winning basket, 6' 8" UCLA forward Dave Meyers stole the ball from All-America candidate guard John Lucas of UM. The victory was preserved and the newly opened arena had its coronation.
Tomorrow night is the opening night of play for the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. My youngest son, Sean, has gotten us tickets so that he and I can watch Ohio State play Central Connecticutt. This is the first time I have ever even been to a game in which OSU played let alone been to an opening night of the tournament. I am thrilled to have the opportunity. There is a greater event that is coming that I hope I don't miss. I am really looking forward to the first day of Eternity; the Second Coming of Jesus the Christ, Son of the Living God. Put that on a marquee.
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall always be with the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17 Did you catch the excitement of it all? There will be a shout and one of God's archangels will announce that Jesus is coming to the accompaniment of the trumpet of God. Then He will appear and the first day of eternity in heaven will begin. I plan on being there. Opening night.
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...He was the Minister of the Minorsville Christian Church located near Stamping Ground, KY.
...Becky and Tom have three children; John, single and in worship ministry in Nicholasville, Kentucky; Sean, married (Jennifer, elementary school teacher) with twins (Grace and Patrick, b.d. 10/31/04) and regional director of Papa John's Pizza in Central KY; Kara, married (Vince Taylor, prison guard) and working with Hospice East in Winchester, KY.
...Tom went to be with the Lord on November 13, 2009 after a lengthy battle with cancer. If you have been touched by Tom's writings please send an email to Tom's son at jkelley@catalystchristian.net
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