Local Video
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| Giving thanks: Local coaches, athletes reflect on Thanksgiving |
By: Jeff Wald, Sports Editor
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Posted: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 11:55 pm
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NORTHFIELD — Most people take the week of Thanksgiving to step away from the stresses of life and focus on what they are thankful for.
Families sit around the table and eat turkey dinner. Some attend religious services. Others spend a lazy day on the couch watching football. Whatever the tradition is, it’s a day where most adults don’t work and kids don’t attend school. The precious little time that families have together is often spent together during the holidays.
For St. Olaf College football coach Jerry Olszewski, Thanksgiving has special meaning. He takes his players who are unable to travel for the holiday to his in-laws in Mankato, where they eat dinner together.
Olszewski and his family also plan to spend that morning serving to the less fortunate at the Salvation Army.
“It’s a time to thank God for what He has given us,” Olszewski said. “It’s a special time to be with family, and it really puts things in perspective.”
Among the traditions his family has are writing down five things that they are thankful for over the past year. He and his wife, Deanna, have three children: Jett (son) and daughters Jersy and J.J.”
Working with family
Carleton College basketball coach Guy Kalland has no choice but to mix work with family time during Thanksgiving.
The Knights are usually getting their regular season started around the holiday, and this year is no different. They play games this year on Wednesday and Saturday in Illinois. His wife, Linda, travels with the team for Thanksgiving.
“We have the same plans we’ve had the last 25 years. We’ll be on the road,” Kalland said. “We’ve had turkey together with the team in Chicago, Seattle, Denver and even on the beach in Hawaii. It’s not what grandma had envisioned, but it works out.”
Kalland said he finds it as meaningful a holiday for himself as any other from a Christian stand point. He defines it as a very wholesome holiday to spend with friends and family.
They generally try to have a little fun with his wife also. Her birthday happens to usually land during Thanksgiving week.
“The guys on the team find the time during a meal to sing happy birthday to her,” Kalland said.
Every family has its tradition. Every person has their way of celebrating Thanksgiving. It’s one of the few times a year people spend it with the ones they love and acknowledge what they are thankful for.
— Jeff Wald covers local sports. He can be reached at 645-1111 or jwald@northfieldnews.com.
What are your Thanksgiving traditions?
“We run the Turkey Trot in the morning and then the whole family comes over for a traditional dinner.” — Lizzie Carlson, NHS senior tennis player
“We get together with friends and family. About 30 of us around the dinner table eating as much as we can.” — Scott Gallagher, NHS senior soccer player
“We go to my great aunt’s house, and everyone does a crafts activity with a Thanksgiving theme. My other aunt also makes awesome cookies.” — NHS Josie Dockstader, senior volleyball player
What does Thanksgiving mean to you?
“It’s a time with family to relax. We’re all over the place so it’s a time for us to be together and be thankful for each other.” — Alex Bisch, NHS senior football player
“We always see grandpa in New Ulm and do the whole turkey thing. It means being thankful for having family, spending time with them.” — Clare Foley, NHS senior soccer player
“It means meeting up with family I don’t get to see very often. We sit around and eat for an hour, and have fun.” — Ian O’Neill — NHS senior cross country runner |
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