The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
Proud to be independently owned.

University of Tampa

PHSC launches new women’s soccer program

By

In a time where countless other colleges and universities nationwide have dropped athletics programs amid COVID-19-associated budget cuts and other reasons, Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) is making plays to boost its sports offerings.

The institution added women’s soccer to its athletics roster beginning with the 2021 fall season in August. Home games will be played on the outdoor fields of the Wiregrass Sports Campus of Pasco County, 3021 Sports Coast Way, in Wesley Chapel.

The school’s athletics department made the announcement official in a March 19 press release.

Former Tampa Bay Rowdies head coach Stuart Campbell will coach the Pasco-Hernando State College women’s soccer program. Campbell, a Wesley Chapel resident, also played professional soccer for 16 years, mostly in England. (Courtesy for Pasco-Hernando State College)

The PHSC women’s soccer program will be a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA). It joins PHSC’s other intercollegiate athletics programs, known as the Bobcats, that include women’s volleyball, cross- country and softball, and men’s basketball and baseball.

Women’s soccer marks the local college’s first new sport since 2005 — when it brought on women’s cross-country, under head coach Jackie Wachtel.

Leading the upstart team is former Tampa Bay Rowdies head coach Stuart Campbell, a familiar face and widely known figure in the soccer ranks. He’s also a longtime Wesley Chapel resident.

The English-born Campbell played professional soccer from 1996 to 2013, before serving as the assistant coach for the Rowdies from 2014 to 2015 and head coach from 2015 to 2018.

As a midfielder, Campbell played for several teams in England, including Leicester City of the Premier League, the top division of England’s football league system. He finished his playing career with the Rowdies in 2012-2013. He also was a member of the Scotland U21 national team in 1998-1999.

The decision to launch women’s soccer made sense for myriad reasons, including boosting enrollment, PHSC athletics director Steve Winterling explained to The Laker/Lutz News, in a recent interview.

The undertaking, which was three-plus years in the making, came with the blessing of PHSC senior vice president Dr. Bob Bade, who Winterling noted has a “very athletic-inclined” outlook.

Aside from being another avenue “to promote our college even more,” Winterling said, women’s soccer also provides more athletic participation opportunities for PHSC’s overwhelming female population, which represents about 61% of the student body.

Moreover, Winterling highlighted the popularity and surplus of high-level girls youth and high school soccer throughout Pasco County and the Tampa Bay region, plus the opportunity to house the program on the county’s east side in Wesley Chapel. (All of PHSC’s other sports programs are based on the West Campus in New Port Richey.)

“We’re hoping to keep young women in our area that want to continue playing soccer because there’s not a whole lot of opportunities for them,” the athletics director said.  “There’s a lot of talent out there and I think this is going to be exciting to keep some people close to home, where they can play a couple more years and maybe go on and play at a four-year (school), and that’s always the plan of our program here.”

Having a recognizable name in Campbell to lead the way seems to be another bonus to generate buzz for the program and school from the onset.

“Everybody knows the Rowdies,” Winterling said, “so if that doesn’t get you excited about soccer and somebody wanting to come and play at our college, I don’t know what would.”

Remaining logistical tasks for the program, the athletics director said, include finalizing a first-year budget, schedule, and equipment and uniform needs, as well as familiarizing Campbell with NJCAA rules, regulations and compliance protocols.

The team will offer 11 tuition-and-books scholarships to start, with another dozen or so walk-on players. Campbell will host a tryout for interested athletes on April 11 at 5 p.m., at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus.

As for style of play, players and fans can expect lots of action and high-scoring affairs, under Campbell’s tutelage.

The coach quipped, “I’d rather win a game 4-3 than 1-0, because, at the end of the day, the product you put out on the soccer field, you’re there to entertain, and if you give the players that freedom, that license to go express themselves, I think they’ll be really, really productive.”

He added: “I want to excite the players and excite the fans to come to watch. We like to play a possession-based game that makes it exciting for the fans. In my previous role as a head coach (with the Rowdies), we always scored lots of goals.”

A place to play, develop
PHSC’s women’s soccer program — like the school’s other sports — creates another pathway for athletes who want to play college ball, but might need more seasoning and maturity before advancing to the NCAA Division I or Division II ranks, such as the University of South Florida, University of Tampa or Saint Leo University, to name a few.

Campbell cited “alarming” dropout and transfer rates among college soccer players in their freshman and sophomore years at larger four-year schools for various reasons, such as unhappiness with lack of playing time and homesickness.

Campbell explained, “They leave home at a relatively young age. They leave for college at 18 (years old), they’re in a different environment for the first time, they’re not playing and it’s a relatively short (soccer) season…so if we can give them that platform for them to grow and develop, and then if they can go onto another school, we’ve done our job, not just sending them off as soccer players, but more rounded young women.”

Winterling himself started the PHSC baseball program back in 1991 and also coached at Florida College and Florida State University.

He likewise emphasized the impact of junior college athletics serving as a launch pad for underclassmen athletes to seamlessly advance to more prominent four-year programs.

The junior college level, he said, helps younger student-athletes who may otherwise “get lost” by larger classroom sizes and increased demands of a Division I or Division II program.

“I have not heard or talked to a student-athlete that has ever regretted going two years at the state college here and moving on,” he said.

“We want our student-athletes to get their AA (Associate of Arts) degree, enjoy two years of sports, if that’s what they so choose, and then if they want to continue and go on, we work hard to find them another place to play to finish out their bachelor’s degree.”

Women’s soccer might not be the only new sport coming to PHSC, meanwhile.

Part of the athletic department’s future plans include adding men’s cross-country and men’s soccer in coming years, Winterling said. “We want to add more sports down the road.”

Published March 31, 2021

Locals athletes ink with colleges on National Signing Day

By

Dozens of local high school athletes earlier this month signed their letters of intent (LOI) to various colleges and universities as part of National Signing Day.

It’s a special day held annually on the first Wednesday in February where thousands of athletes nationwide can sign a binding letter of intent with a member school of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

From The Laker/Lutz News coverage area alone, Wharton High registered the most signings with nine, followed by Cypress Creek and Steinbrenner high schools that each reported six apiece.

Academy at the Lakes, Freedom High, Gaither High, Land O’ Lakes High, Sunlake High, Wesley Chapel High, Wiregrass Ranch High, Zephyrhills High and Zephyrhills Christian Academy also were well-represented as part of signing day festivities.

Locals inked to play at the next level for the following sports — beach volleyball, baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, volleyball, softball, swimming and track.

Here is a closer look at some notable area athletes who signed on the dotted line and are expected to make significant contributions at the next level.

Jared Hammill, Wharton, cross-country/track (University of Tampa)
Jared Hammill turned in a banner performance at the 2020 FHSAA state cross-country championships, finishing third overall in the 4A meet — clocking a 15:51.9 (5:06-minute per mile pace).

His time and placing represented was tops among local cross-country runners from all classifications in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. (Meanwhile, the only two runners faster in all of 4A were Rheinhardt Harrison (15:26.9) and Anderson Ball (15:43.5), both teammates at Nease High, in Ponte Vedra Beach.)

The state showcase wasn’t Hammill’s fastest time of the year, however.

That came at the Hillsborough County Championships in October, where he set a new school 5K record — posting a 15:34 to win the meet, besting Tre Rivers’ 15:45.7 mark set in 2018.

Hammill now looks to end his prep running career on an even higher note with the forthcoming track season, likely to compete in the 800-meter, 1600-meter and 3,200-meter runs, as well as some relays. His personal-best in the 800-meter is 2:00.06, 1600-meter is 4:31.91 and 3,200-meter is 9:41.52.

Kiael Kelly, Gaither, football (Ball State University)
Kiael Kelly, a dual-threat quarterback, wasted no time in his lone season at Gaither — transferring in from Tampa Jesuit for his senior year.

Gaither High standout quarterback Kiael Kelly is headed to Ball State University, in Muncie, Indiana. (Courtesy of Gaither High School)

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound athlete steered the Cowboys to an 11-1 record and 6A regional final —  completing 63% of his throws for 1,594 yards, 16 touchdowns and four picks, plus 399 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns.

Kelly also is a member of the renowned Team Tampa 7-on-7 all-star team, which has won multiple national championships since its formation in 2010.

A consensus three-star recruiting prospect, Kelly also received Division I scholarship offers from Bethune-Cookman, Bowling Green, Coastal Carolina, Illinois, Indiana, Liberty, South Florida and Syracuse.

One doesn’t have to look far to see where Kelly’s athletic bloodlines originate.

His father is Kenny Kelly, a former starting quarterback at the University of Miami, who also played Major League Baseball for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals in the early 2000s. The elder Kelly also was a four-sport letterman at Tampa Catholic High School in baseball, basketball, football and track.

Lilly Kiester, Freedom, softball (University of Tampa)
Lilly Kiester first hit the big stage back in 2015, when her Team Tampa U12 travel ball softball team ventured to Sacramento, California, to compete in the Amateur Softball Association national championship for that age group.

She’s come a long way since advancing to the prep ranks.

The speedy centerfielder was en route to another strong season as a junior— before the COVID-19 pandemic cut everything short — posting a .452 batting average through eight games, adding eight runs, four RBIs and two extra-base hits.

Kiester was no slouch her prior two years on varsity, either, hitting .365 as a sophomore and .333 as a freshman.

Her career numbers thus far stack up this way: In 52 games played, Kiester has a .366 average, .428 on-base percentage, 64 hits, 51 runs, 24 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. Defensively, she has a .941 fielding percentage, 66 putouts and 14 outfield assists during that time.

Meantime, the Freedom Patriots during that time have gone a combined 38-15 with two regional playoff appearances.

Expect more of the same, and maybe then some, this spring.

Academy at the Lakes swimmer McKenna Smith has signed a scholarship with Duke University, in Durham, North Carolina. (Courtesy of Academy at the Lakes Athletics)

McKenna Smith, Academy at the Lakes, swimming (Duke University)
McKenna Smith soon will venture into the competitive NCAA Division I swimming ranks after wrapping up a decorated prep career as a seven-time state medalist — which includes recent third-place finishes in the 50-yard free (23.15) and 100-yard free (50.34) at the 2020 Florida High School Athletic Association 1A championship meet.

This goes along with claiming more than a dozen individual regional and district titles combined over her varsity career, plus countless other events and invitationals won.

The sprint freestyler, too, has earned a multiple high school All-American nod for her junior cuts in the 50 free and 100 free. Her personal-best time (in yards) in the 50 free is 23.05, 100 free is 50.11, and 200 free is 1:51.65.

Besides her work in the pool for Academy at the Lakes, Smith swims year-round for Florida Elite Swimming, a club team based in Land O’ Lakes.

A volleyball player as a youth, Smith didn’t begin swimming competitively until the sixth grade.

The watersport has become a family affair, however.

Smith’s younger brother, Nate, an AATL freshman, competed in his first state swim meet this past year, finishing 22nd in the 1A 100-yard free (49.65).

Lilou Stegeman, Steinbrenner, volleyball (University of Albany)
Lilou Stegeman, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker, wrapped up an impressive final campaign as a key cog in Steinbrenner’s 17-8 record and 7A regional semifinals berth.

In 55 sets played this season, Stegeman registered 136 kills, 73 digs, 44 blocks and 18 aces, en route to earning All-County honors.

Stegeman also competes for the Orlando Tampa Volleyball Academy, regarded as one of the top clubs in the country.

Stegeman also is an accomplished track athlete — a team captain who was a state finisher in the 100-meter hurdles in 2019. She also ran the 300-meter hurdles, high jump, 4×100-meter and 4×400-meter relays and 200-meter dash for Steinbrenner.

This coming fall, Stegeman will join a University of Albany volleyball program that won the 2019 America East title — its first since 2011, and sixth conference championship, overall.

Albany head volleyball coach Josh Pickard said the following of Stegeman’s athletic skillset, in a Signing Day release: “Lilou brings great size and presence in the middle. She has competed for a great club and will bring a great knowledge of the game to our squad. She has a great background in multiple sports, which helps her excel in her chosen sport of volleyball. Her upside in volleyball is huge due to her short time in the sport and we are excited to see her grow as a Great Dane.”

Peyton Petry, Cypress Creek, baseball (Saint Leo University)
Peyton Petry has established himself as one of the area’s most productive two-way players — a right-handed pitcher and outfielder —twice earning first team All-Conference honors.

A quartet of Cypress Creek High varsity baseball players signed their National Letters of Intent with various colleges and universities. From left: Peyton Petry (Saint Leo University), Anthony Menendez (Thomas University), Zach Beulk (Thomas University) and Nolan Jamison (Mars Hill University). (Courtesy of Kellie Petry)

Before the COVID-19 pandemic terminated the 2020 campaign, the 6-foot-4 Petry had a  .464/.531/.678 slash line with 12 runs, 9 RBIs and four extra base hits through 32 plate appearances in seven games, paired with a 3.50 earned run average and 27 strikeouts through 12 innings pitched.

Petry’s full sophomore run was likewise noteworthy, with his arm and his bat.

On the mound, Petry fired 36.1 innings to the tune of a 1.35 earned run average, 34 strikeouts, and a 4-1 win-loss mark. At the plate, he posted a .333/.413/.333 line, with five runs and seven RBIs, in 19 games played.

Petry also has garnered widespread recognition around prep baseball circles —  ranked among the top-500 recruits in the nation, according to Perfect Game, the world’s largest baseball scouting service.

In addition to Cypress Creek, Petry plays for the Ostingers Baseball Academy travel ball team, where he’s earned multiple All-Tournament team selections and helped the program win the 2020 Perfect Game 17U Florida World Series in Fort Myers.

Saint Leo head baseball coach Rick O’Dette said this of Petry, as part of a Signing Day news release: “We saw him early as a low to mid 80’s strike thrower who we anticipated in becoming an immediate arm. That has happened even sooner than we have thought. He is now an upper 80’s arm who can throw any pitch at any time. The ceiling is extremely high for him. His work ethic and love to get better is extremely contagious. His future is bright.”

Petry’s younger brother, Ethan, also is a talented ballplayer showing high-level collegiate potential. The Cypress Creek junior third baseman/pitcher is a University of South Carolina commit.

Here is a roundup of all known high school athlete signings in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area:

Academy at the Lakes
Baseball
Alex Carmichael — Upper Iowa University (Fayette, Iowa)

Football
Sean Saccomanno — Saint Norbert College (De Pere, Wisconsin)

Softball
Vanessa Alexander — Brown University (Providence, Rhode Island)

Swimming
McKenna Smith — Duke University (Durham, North Carolina)

Cypress Creek High School
Baseball
Zachary Buelk — Thomas University (Thomasville, Georgia)
Nolan Jamison — Mars Hill University (Mars Hill, North Carolina)
Anthony Menendez —Thomas University (Thomasville, Georgia)
Peyton Petry — Saint Leo University

Softball
Emma Coon — Lander University (Greenwood, South Carolina)
Hailey Vasquez — Ava Maria University

Freedom High School
Softball
Lilly Kiester — University of Tampa
Erica Wilton — Miami-Dade College

Land O’ Lakes High School
Softball
Emily Proctor — College of Central Florida
Gracie Stanley — Pasco-Hernando State College

Steinbrenner High School
Beach Volleyball
Rebecca Bach — Missouri State University

Football
Brycen Lowe — Carthage College (Kenosha, Wisconsin)

Lacrosse
Matthew Wyatt — Belmont-Abbey College (Belmont, North Carolina)

Softball
Mykayla Parise-King — Mars Hill University (Mars Hill, North Carolina)
Ashley Sholl — Concordia University-Chicago (River Forest, Illinois)

Volleyball
Lilou Stegeman — University of Albany (Albany, New York)

Sunlake High School
Baseball
Dominick Albano — Warner University
Dylan Broderick — Saint Leo University
Trevor Mannarino — Lake Sumter State College

Gaither High School
Football
Nick Bartalo — Charleston Southern University (Charleston, South Carolina)
Kiael Kelly — Ball State University (Muncie, Indiana)
Jordan Oladokun — Samford University (Birmingham, Alabama)
Ricky Parks — University of Utah

Wesley Chapel High School
Football
Matt Helms — Warner University

Wharton High School
Baseball
Zach Ehrhard — Oklahoma State University
Dylan McDonald — Saint Leo University
Frank Micallef — University of South Florida
Michael Rivera — Hillsborough Community College

Basketball
Candice Green — Webber International University

Softball
Tieley Vaughn — University of South Florida
McKayla Velasquez — Ave Maria University

Cross-Country/Track
Jared Hammill — University of Tampa

Lacrosse
McKenzie Watson — Newberry College (Newberry, South Carolina)

Wiregrass Ranch High School
Football
Grady Clower — University of Central Florida
Larry Gibbs Jr. — Warner University
Gabe Thompson — Army West Point (West Point, New York)

Zephyrhills
Football
Mike Barber — Luther College (Decorah, Iowa)

Zephyrhills Christian Academy
Football
Nicholas Novo — Apprentice School (Newport News, Virginia)

Published February 17, 2021

At age 90, she gets her eighth hole-in-one

By

About two weeks after her 90th birthday, Mary Esther Spell was playing her regularly scheduled Monday morning game at The Groves Golf and Country Club. She chose a 5-wood for the 111-yard seventh hole, where the tee box was adjacent to her home. She swung smoothly. The ball went straight. It bounced once and rolled … straight into the hole.

Mary Esther Spell, 90, displays the plaque she received for her eighth career hole-in-one. (Joey Johnston)

“I was as shocked as anyone,’’ Spell said with a laugh.

Actually, it shouldn’t be a shock — or even a surprise. It was the eighth hole-in-one for Spell, whose passion for golf is only surpassed by her overall zest for life.

“She’s a real sweetheart, a wonderful lady,’’ said Richard Moore, pro shop manager at The Groves, a 55-and-over community in Land O’ Lakes. “I’ve been playing golf for 52 years and I’ve never had a hole-in-one. Not one. And she has eight!

“She’s very competitive. She loves the game. As I’ve gotten to know her, I’ve realized that she has led a remarkable life.’’

In 1950, Spell was named “Miss Tampa’’ as a 19-year-old University of Tampa sophomore, never losing her “charming smile’’ throughout the pageant, according to a Tampa Tribune account. She had a lengthy career at an advertising agency.

Her first marriage ended in divorce and she raised her daughter as a single mother. She married again to a prominent Tampa orthodontist, but she quit working to become his caretaker before he was claimed by cancer at age 54.

She buried her only child, Terri, two years ago after the daughter had moved back in and they spent a joyous few years together. Her only grandchild, Shawn Matthews, is married and lives near Ocala. She’s still hopeful of a great-grandchild.

Mary Esther Spell was ‘Miss Tampa’ in 1950. (Courtesy of Mary Esther Spell)

“I told them to hurry up … because I’m not getting any younger,’’ Spell said, laughing again.

About two years ago, Spell wasn’t feeling great and she hoped doctors could figure it out. It was pancreatic cancer. She agreed to an operation because she didn’t want prolonged treatment and the loss of her hair. Incredibly, the doctors got it all. Spell kept going.

“I’ve had ups and downs in my life — as everybody does,’’ Spell said. “What I’ve learned is you get up every day and try again. You don’t give up. You look for the good in life and the good in people.’’

Sometimes, Spell might sheepishly tell someone that she was once crowned “Miss Tampa’’ just two years after she graduated from Tampa’s Hillsborough High School. The Tampa Chamber of Commerce-sponsored pageant was held before 700 spectators at the Palma Ceia Country Club. The Tribune reported that a “golden crown’’ was placed on her head, but Spell remembers the “crown’’ as a heavy paper creation that was painted gold.

She received a $300 scholarship and a diamond-studded wristwatch, along with a place in the “Miss Florida’’ pageant. She remembers handing out a trophy to the winner of a Tampa auto race, but not many other duties in her year of service.

Whether it’s a happy memory or something she had to endure, Spell tries not to look back too much. She has enough to keep her looking ahead.

“I’ve been blessed — doubly blessed — because I have my health and so many good friends where I live,’’ said Spell, who keeps up with crossword puzzles, reads mystery novels and socializes when she’s not playing in her three-times-a-week golf games. “People have been just wonderful to me. I have several things I enjoy, but golf is definitely my biggest activity.’’

Spell said she learned golf as a teenager from her father, who played actively at the Temple Terrace Golf Club. She went years without playing, but picked it up later in life and carded her first hole-in-one in 1994 during a round at Tampa’s Northdale Golf Club.

That rare golf accomplishment happened to her seven more times — the latest at age 90.

“I think it’s pretty much luck,’’ Spell said. “It all has to be aligned perfectly. You know how golf is. Some days you’re the windshield and some days you’re the bug. You can have a hole-in-one, then put it in the water on your next shot.

“I think golf is like life. You keep showing up. You try your best. You keep on keeping on.’’

By Joey Johnston

Published December 23, 2020

Former Dade City commissioner honored

By

The City of Dade City recently paused to pay honor to Eunice Penix, one of its longest-tenured public servants, educators and community activists in the East Pasco town’s history.

Family, friends and community leaders gathered outside the City Hall building on Nov. 6 to recognize the many accomplishments of Penix, a longtime city commissioner.

Former longtime Dade City Commissioner and Mayor Pro Tem Eunice Penix, left, receives a proclamation from Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez. Penix’s 27 years of public service, her volunteerism and her career as a school teacher were highlighted during a Nov. 6 ceremony. (Courtesy of Leslie Porter)

The proclamation ceremony provided an opportunity to formally thank the 79-year-old Penix “for her dedication to improve Dade City for its residents and future generations to enjoy a prosperous, sustainable community.”

Dade City Manager Leslie Porter welcomed the large gathering, and Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez read the proclamation, presented the plaque and gave closing remarks.

Guest speakers of the event included Florida State Senate President Wilton Simpson and Rev. Clyde Carter, president of the NAACP-Pasco County chapter.

Penix’s lengthy record of public service, included serving as a city commissioner from 1993 to 2020.

In August 1993, she was appointed to the commission to fill a vacancy. She then was unopposed in her bid for election in April 1994, to fill out the remainder of a two-year term. She went on to win reelection seven times, including six contests that were unopposed. She held the title of mayor pro tem from 2009 onward.

During Penix’s time in office, the city hired five city managers, three city attorneys, two clerks and a finance director.

She also played an instrumental role in numerous enhancements to the municipality over the years, including:

  • Annexed lands for commercial and residential development
  • Paved and resurfaced streets and sidewalks
  • The acquisition and restoration of the Atlantic Coast Line Depot, now used as the Dade City Heritage Museum
  • The creation of the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency
  • The initiation of plans to move the city’s wastewater treatment plant
  • The reduction of flooding issues downtown with the construction of Beauchamp Pond
  • Progress on numerous park improvements, including the land purchase to build a downtown splash park/bicycle hub

Penix was a mentor for the Dade City Youth Council, and served in public office during the time of the development of a Hampton Inn and a Publix Supermarket within the city limits.

She advocated for the Morningside Drive extension project and construction of the new City Hall/Police Department facility.

As a government representative, she was involved in the Florida League of Cities, Women in Municipal Government, Florida Black Caucus of Elected Officials, and Suncoast League of Cities.

Aside from her civic duties, the now retired Penix spent four decades as a schoolteacher — the bulk of her time at the now-closed Floyd Academy in Lacoochee and Pasco Elementary in Dade City, where she earned “Teacher of the Year” during the 2001-2002 school year.

Penix herself graduated from Mickens High School in 1958 and Bethune-Cookman University in 1962, earning a degree in elementary education. She went on to obtain a master’s degree from the University of Tampa in administration and supervision in elementary education.

Her other volunteerism and community engagement is notable, too.

Penix has served on the Martin Luther King Scholarship and Moore-Mickens Scholarship committees, including 10 years as president.

She’s been a member of the Dade City Community Alliance-Charter, Dade City Rotary, and Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County. She also has served as vice president of Beta Sigma Chapter of Alpha Pi Chi Sorority.

Penix is an active member of her church choir at St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, in Dade City.

She chose not to seek reelection to the commission this year.

Her Group 5 seat is now held by Normita Woodard, a first-time elected commissioner and secretary at Lacoochee Elementary School.

Penix’s final commission meeting was on June 23, held in a virtual format amid the coronavirus pandemic.

During her final meeting as an elected official, Penix took time to deliver some parting words to thank the Dade City community. She said: “I’m grateful for the citizens of Dade City for allowing me to serve them for 27 years. I am so honored. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love all of you.”

Penix remains involved with citywide affairs, regularly attending commission and other pertinent meetings as a concerned and vocal citizen.

Published November 25, 2020

Dade City hires finance consultant to handle budget

By

The City of Dade City has been scrambling to fill a key vacancy in its finance department — during a critical juncture where many budgetary details need to be ironed out for fiscal year 2020-2021.

To handle that chore, the municipality is turning to a financial consultant who’ll provide mostly remote services.

The finance department has been operating without a full-time finance officer. Its assistant finance officer resigned in June.

Dade City Commissioners approved the hiring of Andrew Laflin to serve as a financial consultant and interim finance officer, until the position is filled. The city’s finance department has been operating without a full-time finance officer. Its assistant finance officer resigned in late June. The municipality is now organizing its budget for fiscal year 2020-2021. (Courtesy of Andrew Laflin)

Dade City commissioners on July 14 unanimously approved an agreement with Andrew Laflin, CPA, to provide finance and budget services to the city, for an amount of $6,500 per month. The agreement is effective through Sept. 30, 2021; either party has the ability to terminate the agreement with 30 days’ notice.

Laflin is expected to work from City Hall one or two days a week, and then be accessible remotely and virtually other days of the week.

He provides similar consulting services to the City of Madeira Beach and assists the Pinellas County Clerk’s finance division.

Laflin brings 17 years of public accounting experience, mainly leading an outsourcing, consulting and advisory practice devoted to serving Florida local governments, including counties, cities, transportation authorities and other special districts.

Laflin’s resume shows that he has provided consulting services to more than two dozen governmental agencies. He also serves as an adjunct professor in the fields of financial and cost accounting at the University of Tampa and Hillsborough Community College.

“I just look forward to the opportunity to serve this city and handle all the duties and responsibilities of this position, and I’m capable and eager to do so,” Laflin told the commission, during its virtual meeting.

Commissioners acknowledged the consulting arrangement — opposed to having a finance officer in-house — is far from ideal. But, they said there’s little other option at this point to get an initial budget drafted by Aug. 1.

The city originally anticipated elevating or placing additional responsibility to assistant finance officer Venus Irvine, but she resigned from her position June 24, leaving another gap in the finance department in a time where several budget workshops need to be planned, organized and executed.

“We’re really stuck in a vulnerable position,” said Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez. “We have a lot of work to get this budget done by Aug. 1, so there’s a huge void to be filled. I don’t think this is the best scenario, but it is a void that can be filled with a very capable person at this time.”

Commissioner Scott Black concurred: “We have to move ahead. We don’t have any choice in it. We may get into this (consulting arrangement) and realize this is a great option for us even to continue, so let’s go into it, see what we think. We have to do it now, so we need to proceed and we can cross all those bridges as we go along.”

The city has been unable to find a full-time finance officer since Leslie Porter was promoted from that role to city manager in February 2019. Since then, Porter’s been juggling both roles, something commissioners “never, never, never intended to be the case,” Hernandez emphasized.

“I am not happy with where we’re at a year-and-a-half later almost and having one individual assume both positions,” Hernandez said.

“The city manager has many things that we need to get done, especially in this time of all these other activities and plans and things that are happening in our city, so having that same person assuming all of those things is really not in the city’s best interest,” she added.

Mayor Pro Tem Jim Shive agreed, adding, “This situation with trying to get a finance director on board has taken a long time and I think we need to get this position filled as soon as we can.”

Aside from the ongoing search for a permanent finance officer, the mayor also expressed displeasure with the amount of job turnover throughout City Hall, particularly with some leading departmental roles.

Hernandez observed: “We’ve had some major positions that have been vacant or get filled and then they’re empty again, and that is not helping us at all, especially during a very busy time in Dade City’s history and all we’re trying to accomplish.

“I don’t know what we need to do, and I know the pool is limited, but we’ve got to figure this out,” Hernandez said.

July 22, 2020

Locals among top MLB draft prospects

By

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Major League Baseball (MLB)’s 2020 first-year player draft has been shortened to five rounds, from the usual 40 rounds in previous years.

The draft, scheduled for June 10 and June 11, assigns amateur baseball players to MLB teams.

Even with the new consolidated format, however, several locals from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area have a solid chance at being among the 160 athletes drafted. And, they have the possibility of living out their boyhood dreams and landing signing bonuses of hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars.

Steinbrenner High product CJ Van Eyk, now at Florida State University (Courtesy of Florida State University athletics department)

Four athletes with area ties are listed among MLB.com’s top 200 nationwide draft prospect rankings, including two within the top 100.

The highest-rated local is Steinbrenner High alum CJ Van Eyk, a junior right-handed pitcher at Florida State University (FSU) — listed as the No. 39 overall draft prospect, by the website.

The 6-foot-1, 198-pound Van Eyk registered an 18-5 win-loss record, 3.21 ERA, 1.274 WHIP and 225 strikeouts in 176.2 innings pitched across three college seasons.

The Lutz native has been a known commodity going back to his prep days, earning first-team All-American honors and a gold medal with the 18U USA National Team. He also led Steinbrenner to its first state championship as a junior in 2016 and was crowned Florida Dairy Farmers’ Class 8A Player of the Year.

Van Eyk was drafted out of high school by the New York Mets in the 19th round of the 2017 draft, but didn’t sign, opting for college instead.

A snippet of MLB.com’s analysis on Van Eyk reads: “The Florida State ace is capable of being a complete pitcher because of his willingness to pitch in with his fastball, his ability to throw his breaking ball at any point in the count and his feel for mixing his pitches to keep hitters off-balance, though issues with his command persisted over his first four starts in 2020. His potential as a starter still should have him in consideration in the top two rounds of the Draft.”

Sunlake High product Tommy Mace, now at the University of Florida (Courtesy of University of Florida athletics department)

The next highest-ranked local is Sunlake High product Tommy Mace, a junior-right handed pitcher at the University of Florida — rated the No. 70 overall prospect for the 2020 draft.

In three seasons at Florida, the 6-foot-6, 200-pound Mace compiled a 16-5 win-loss record, 4.37 ERA, 1.299 WHIP and 145 strikeouts in 179.1 innings pitched. He was off to his best college campaign this year, tallying a 1.67 ERA in a team-high 27 innings, until the remainder of the season was canceled thanks to COVID-19.

Mace was a three-year varsity player at Sunlake. His senior year he guided the program to a 17-12 mark and the Class 7A regional final. He then was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 12th round of the 2017 draft, but like Van Eyk, didn’t sign to pursue the college route.

MLB.com’s profile on Mace reports states the following: “Mace generally does a nice job of throwing strikes, keeping the ball down in the zone and getting ground ball outs. He gets high marks for his mound presence and makeup, putting him among a solid crop of top two round college pitchers in Florida.”

Though slightly outside our coverage area, an athlete in west Pasco County also cracked MLB’s top 200 prospect list.

Wesley Chapel native/Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High product Carson Ragsdale, now at the University of South Florida (Courtesy of University of South Florida athletics department)

Trinity native Jackson Miller, a senior catcher at Mitchell High, is rated as the 2020 draft’s No. 105 prospect. The Wake Forest University commit posted a .414/.498/.591 slash line in 88 games across four varsity seasons.

Meanwhile, Wesley Chapel native/Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High product Carson Ragsdale, a redshirt junior right-handed pitcher at the University of South Florida (USF), is ranked as the draft’s No. 170 prospect.

The 6-foot-8, 225-pound Ragsdale transitioned to a starter’s role this year at USF, after pitching out of the bullpen his freshman and sophomore seasons. (He missed the 2019 season following Tommy John surgery). He posted a 3.75 ERA, 1.391 WHIP and 77 strikeouts in 50.1 innings across three college seasons. Off the field, he was selected to the 2018-2019 American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team.

Ragsdale was a four-year letter winner at Bishop McLaughlin. He compiled a 1.58 ERA and .352 batting average in his high school career. Those Hurricanes teams that Ragsdale played on went a combined 77-21 from 2013 to 2016.

MLB.com’s report on Ragsdale observes: “Ragsdale threw a lot of strikes this spring, but is still more control than command at this point. Given that scouts only saw four outings from Ragsdale as USF’s Sunday starter, there’s very limited track record for teams to look at, but his size and arm strength, even if it ends up in the bullpen, could be enough for teams to take a chance on him in this year’s Draft.”

Robust draft history
It’s not uncommon for at least a couple locals from area high schools and colleges to be drafted each year.

Last year, Land O’ Lakes High/St. Petersburg College second baseman Dustin Harris was selected in the 11th round by the Oakland Athletics, while Pasco-Hernando State College/University of Tampa pitcher Tyler Beck was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 30th round.

The 2018 draft yielded four local products:

  • Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High/University of North Florida pitcher Frank German (fourth round, New York Yankees)
  • Saint Leo University pitcher/first baseman Jake Sims (31st round, San Diego Padres)
  • Saint Leo University second baseman Zach Scott (32nd round, Seattle Mariners)
  • Wiregrass Ranch High/University of North Florida pitcher Austin Drury (34th round, Los Angeles Dodgers)

The 2017 draft also was particularly kind to local talent. In addition to Van Eyk and Mace getting drafted out of the prep ranks, six other athletes with local ties were chosen:

  • Odessa native/Bishop McLaughlin/College of Central Florida pitcher Nate Pearson (first round, Toronto Blue Jays)
  • Steinbrenner High/USF shortstop Kevin Merrell (first round compensatory, Oakland Athletics)
  • Steinbrenner High first baseman Patrick Morris (14th round, Toronto Blue Jays)
  • Steinbrenner High/Bishop McLaughlin/University of Pittsburgh pitcher Josh Falk (17th round, Oakland Athletics)
  • Odessa native/Alonso High pitcher Jordan Butler (34th round, New York Yankees)
  • Bishop McLaughlin outfielder Paul Coumoulos (40th round, Philadelphia Phillies)

Locals on MLB.com’s top 200 prospect rankings

  • Steinbrenner High/Florida State University pitcher CJ Van Eyk (No. 39 overall draft prospect)
  • Sunlake High/University of Florida pitcher Tommy Mace (No. 70)
  • Trinity/Mitchell High catcher Jackson Miller (No. 105)
  • Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High/University of South Florida pitcher Carson Ragsdale (No. 170)

Published May 27, 2020

Land O’ Lakes hoops coach retires after 31 years

By

Land O’ Lakes High School varsity boys basketball coach Dave Puhalski is ready for a timeout.

After 31 years roaming the Gators sidelines, barking orders, drawing up plays, and molding boys into young men, the longtime coach announced his retirement following the 2019-2020 season.

Puhalski’s swan song was a memorable one — sending off eight seniors to the tune of a 21-6 record, a 5A-7 district title and an appearance in the 5A regional semifinals.

Dozens of members of the Land O’ Lakes High School community celebrate Dave Puhalski’s retirement as head coach of the Gators varsity boys basketball team. (Courtesy of Land O’ Lakes High Athletics)

Puhalski, 57, exits as one of the longest-tenured and among the most-decorated coaches in Pasco County sports history. He compiled a 479-349 career mark since taking over the Gators program in 1988.

In total, he spent more than 35 years coaching hoops.

Before taking over at Land O’ Lakes, Puhalski was an assistant at state champion Ocala Vanguard for three seasons and an assistant at University of Tampa for a year.

Any basketball coach knows what all that entails: Countless hours tied up into practices and games. Long nights busing around the state. Sitting on steel bleachers for junior varsity games. Too many family gatherings and vacations missed.

He said the timing’s right to take a break from the hardwood.

He put it like this: “After 35 years, I’ve never had a Christmas vacation, (or) a Thanksgiving vacation; the month of June is all summer league, kids playing, so really, it’s just time.”

‘All about the kids’
So, what made all of these years coaching worth it?

“The kids,” Puhalski said without hesitation.

“They’re the ones that keep me young and keep me in the game for so long. You know, every year you almost get a different set. You get to see kids grow and develop,” he said.

Having an understanding wife, too, helped him to stay in the game for the better part of three decades.

“You’ve gotta have a coach’s wife, and that’s what I have,” Puhalski said of longtime wife Erika. “So, I give her a lot of credit, because she did a lot of the raising of the kids.”

Puhalski’s longevity allowed him to coach “kids of kids” and attend many a former players’ weddings. Seeing Gators hoops alums grow up, start families and lead successful lives is “one of my favorite things,” he said.

The care for hundreds of teenage hoopers has been seen firsthand by Land O’ Lakes boys basketball assistant/booster club president Steve Thomopalos.

His son, Justin, was coached by Puhalski from 2008 to 2012, and the coach helped the player develop into a two-time team MVP.

Thomopalos observed: “If a kid needs a pat on the back, he’ll give it, but also if he needs to be disciplined, he’ll give that, too.”

The assistant added the head coach’s go-to expression goes like this: “All about the kids.”

Puhalski’s tough love is something Gators players grew to revere and appreciate.

“You can tell he cares,” senior guard and team captain Mekhi Perry said. “Getting yelled at is frustrating — but him doing that, you know his heart’s in the right place.”

The 2019-2020 Gators went 21-6 and won a 5A-7 district championship in Puhalski’s final season as head coach. (File)

Senior guard and fellow captain Chase Farmer added Puhalski “was like a father figure to me.”

“As a player, he was there for me,” said Farmer, the school’s all-time dunks leader. “He did a lot of things that some coaches don’t do. He gave me a shoulder to lean on, I could cry in his arms — anything I needed, he was there.”

Revered for defense, old-school nature
Of course, Puhalski knows a thing or two about hoops.

The coach frequently emphasized “rebounding the ball, taking care of the ball and defending the ball.”

He’s particularly regarded for his defense-first mentality — a philosophy that centered heavily on the man-to-man variety, with little regard for zone defenses.

“We play man to man,” Puhalski said pointedly. “In 31 years, we’ve probably played a minute worth of zone.”

And, if players weren’t giving at least equal effort defensively as on offense, Puhalski wasn’t afraid to make an example. “You know, we’ve had really good players that have been pulled at night because they never play defense,” Puhalski said bluntly.

Farmer amicably described Puhalski’s coaching style as “old school, but sometimes he might flare it up.”

Farmer added: “He loves defense, (but) he loves steals, highlights and dunks, all that.”

Perry, the program’s all-time leading scorer with 1,616 points, added Puhalski “made a huge impact” on the more nuanced aspects of his game.

“I already came into school like knowing what I was doing, but just the tidbits and details expanded my game even more, and every year I learned more,” the Gators standout said.

It wasn’t just players who’ve learned from Puhalski.

Assistant coaches, too, picked up what it takes to run a quality, winning program.

“Everybody learns from coach,” Thomopalos said. “I’ve never seen, up close and personal, a game managed better…especially at the end, when it’s coming down to the wire and it’s close.”

The assistant added: “He is a real basketball man, through and through.”

Fellow assistant Connor Jordan has worked with Puhalski around a dozen seasons.

From Puhalski, Jordan learned Xs and Os are just a small part of leading a successful high school program.

“It’s really about discipline and making sure everything’s organized, expectations and keeping kids held accountable and things like that,” Jordan said. “All that stuff that coaches talk about, (Puhalski) actually follows through on.”

Whoever takes over the Gators program indeed has a tall task in replacing Puhalski.

That very well could be Jordan, who many in the program — including Puhalski —  hope lands the head post. “Gigantic shoes to fill,” Jordan of the possibility.

Meantime, Puhalski is considering teaching physical education for another year at Land O’ Lakes. He also said he wants to continue helping with the program and acclimate whoever next becomes head coach.

“I want to try to keep this going at the level we have it at now,” Puhalski said. “I’m not going to have a whole hand in it, but I’ll be there in whatever (the new coach) needs me to do.”

Published April 1, 2020

Chiselers Market: Find deals, support preservation

By

Elena Cifuentes sits at a table in a warehouse near downtown Tampa, painstakingly restoring a broken Hummel figurine.

Cifuentes, who teaches at the University of Tampa, leads a restoration team whose work offers a mere glimpse into the massive volunteer undertaking behind the annual Chiselers Market.

The market features thousands of items that are sold to support the restoration and preservation of Plant Hall at the University of Tampa.

These women are part of The Chiselers Inc., an organization that’s been putting on an annual market for decades, to benefit preservation of the University of Tampa’s Plant Hall. From left, front row: Cookie Ginex, Gail Dee Russ, Susanne Sanders and Beth Garcia. From left, back row: Esther Hammer, Elena Cifuentes and Teri Willis. (B.C. Manion)

This year’s market offers items ranging from the funky to the sublime.

Bargain-hunters can find linens, intricate lace, crystal chandeliers, kitchenware, collectibles and thousands of other items.

The Chiselers Inc. — celebrating its 60th anniversary — puts on the annual sale. The group is made up of women volunteers, primarily  from South Tampa, but also from Lutz, Wesley Chapel, West Chase, St. Petersburg, Sun City and other communities.

These women appear to have at least two things in common: A collective love for Plant Hall, and a true appreciation for the bond they have with each other.

The National Historic Landmark that their work benefits was completed in 1891.

In the beginning, it was an opulent hotel constructed by railroad magnate Henry B. Plant.

With European artworks and furnishings, it attracted wealthy and famous patrons to Tampa.

Its distinctive minarets, its chrysanthemum windows, its spacious veranda and its gingerbread woodwork make the building a true city of Tampa treasure.

The former Tampa Bay Hotel served as a command post in the Spanish-American War, and Teddy Roosevelt, Clara Barton, Stephen Crane and Frederic Remington stayed there.

This is one of the collectibles in the room where Terri Naylor volunteers. She helps price various items before the annual Chiselers Market.

Other famous guests have included Babe Ruth and Thomas Edison. John Phillip Sousa performed there, and Booker T. Washington spoke there, too.

The structure became home of the University of Tampa in 1933.

The Chiselers have the annual market down to a science.

Preparations begin months in advance.

Donations are brought to a warehouse near downtown Tampa, where they are sorted, repaired (if needed), priced and boxed — for delivery to the University of Tampa for a preview party and market day.

When donations initially arrive at the warehouse, they are divided into different sections. Furniture goes into one area. Collectibles into another. There are areas for books, for art, for  fine linens and bargains. There’s a silent auction area, too.

Teri Willis, third vice president of the Chiselers, is this year’s market chair.

A trip around the warehouse reveals a huge assortment of items awaiting this year’s shoppers.

If you need a picture frame, you’ll be able to choose from hundreds.

There’s interesting art, too.

“Much of it is collectible art, recognized artists,” Willis said.

On the day of the sale, the art is arranged out on Plant Hall’s veranda.

This cut glass bowl is among the thousands of items being sold at Chiselers Market.

“It’s a beautiful morning thing to do — to go out and buy art,” Willis said.

If you’re shopping for office supplies, Christmas décor or a dog bed — they’ll be at this year’s sale. There are lamps, sofas, chairs, planters and all sorts of other stuff, too.

The laces and linens are exquisite, Willis said. “Some of these laces have been passed down in families for generations.”

There’s a silver service section, too.

“It’s one of our highlights. When they light it up, it just sparkles,” Willis said. The gleam comes from the volunteers’ all-day silver polishing parties.

“That’s where I learned to really polish silver,” said Esther Hammer, this year’s president of The Chiselers.

Elena Cifuentes works painstakingly to repair this Hummel figurine.

Hammer has handled various chores through the years. Being president, she said, is easy because so many members step forward to help.

“I don’t really have to do anything because these people volunteer to do it, and they do such a great job,” Hammer said.

Moira Burke, who was at the warehouse sorting books said she enjoys having a hand in the preservation of Plant Hall — a building she considers to be an architectural gem.

Terri Naylor, who helps research and price collectibles, said being involved in Chiselers is right up her alley because she’s interested in art, architecture, history and preservation.

On market day, besides the sale items, there will be food trucks, Port-o-Potties, and a ‘Will Call’ area for shoppers who have found so many good deals that they need a temporary holding place while they go and shop for more.

They’ll have plenty of choices, Willis said.

“We take over the whole bottom floor (of Plant Hall). We fill it up.

“Outside, we have books, furniture, plants and art,” she said.

The bargain area is especially popular, Hammer said.

Plant Hall, on the University of Tampa campus, was originally the Tampa Bay Hotel. Built by railroad magnate Henry B. Plant, it was an opulent hotel with European furnishings, which drew wealthy and famous guests to Tampa.

Items are priced to sell quickly and market regulars know the drill.

“This is where people stampede,” Hammer said. “When the doors open at 9, you can hear the thunder of the feet, going down to the bargain section.”

Willis noted: “They get excited, and we get excited.”

The volunteer group is grateful for the generous donations it receives.

“We couldn’t do this without the community,” Willis said.

The market’s success also relies on a good turnout for the sale, Hammer said.

“We have so much to sell, we need people (to come to the market).”

Beyond helping to preserve a Tampa icon for future generations, Hammer derives great satisfaction from being involved with the Chiselers.

“I just love this, this whole operation, this whole organization,” Hammer said.

“The mission is the first thing that got me in here, and then working with the ladies is what kept me,” she said.

56th annual Chiselers Market
Where: Plant Hall at the University of Tampa, 401 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
When: March 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free admission; parking nearby
Details: Bargain-hunters can finds loads of good deals at this sale, which features plants, jewelry, kitchenware, books, art, electrical items, tools, china, crystal, silver, collectibles, lamps, lace, linens, furniture and other items.
Info: TheChiselersInc.com

The Chiselers
A group of friends with a strong interest in the preservation of the former Tampa Bay Hotel (now Plant Hall at the University of Tampa) met to chisel old mortar from important tiles salvaged from the original fireplaces in the hotel.

As a result, the “Chiselers” organization was founded with a mission to preserve and restore the former hotel, now a National Historic Landmark.

The Chiselers formed in 1959, and the group is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

Since its founding, the organization has:

  • Raised $8.3 million for the restoration of Plant Hall
  • Supported the University of Tampa with an endowed scholarship that provides financial assistance each year to a deserving student
  • Contributes about 15,000 volunteer hours each year
  • Co-founded the Tampa Bay Hotel Advisory Council in 1996, charged with approving a master plan for restoration of the building and assuring that all work is done in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings.

For more information about the Chiselers, visit TheChiselersInc.com.

The Chiselers Inc.’s officers:
Esther Hammer, president
Karen Dalton, first vice president
Barbara Pennington, second vice president
Teri Willis, third vice president
Kathy Beeson, fourth vice president
Jane Hernandez, treasurer
Debbie Giglio, assistant treasurer
Dolly Fox, recording secretary
Barbara Stubbs, corresponding secretary
Audrie Ranon, parliamentarian

Published March 13, 2019

Lutz teen and her service dog are off to college

By

Leigh Dittman knew she’d need some help when she got to college.

After all, the Lutz resident lives life from her wheelchair.

She was born with a rare genetic disorder called osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease.

The disease prevents her body from absorbing needed calcium levels due to a collagen deficiency.

Lutz resident and University of Tampa freshman student Leigh Dittman with her service dog, Nerf. Dittman suffers from a rare genetic disorder called osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease, which makes her bones weaker than normal and more prone to fractures. Nerf responds to more than 40 commands, including retrieving dropped items for Leigh, pulling her wheelchair, carrying her backpack, and other tasks that enable her to lead a more independent life. (Courtesy of Canine Companions)

Simply put, the condition makes her bones weaker than normal and more prone to fractures.

“It’s like a sponge,” Leigh said. “It doesn’t matter how much milk I drink; my body can only handle so much.”

The number of people affected with osteogenesis imperfecta in the United States is unknown.

Estimates range from as few as 20,000 and as many as 50,000, according to the Osteogenesis Foundation.

Throughout her school years leading to college, Leigh had a one-on-one aide who would help get her to and from class.

As she geared up for her freshman year at the University of Tampa, though, she wanted more independence.

Leigh put it this way: “With college, I’m training to be an adult, and I can’t be a successful adult if I’m relying on another adult.”

That’s where Nerf enters the picture.

The 3-year-old, black Labrador/golden retriever mix is a highly-trained service dog that responds to more than 40 commands.

He retrieves dropped items like pencils and water bottles for Leigh. He pulls her wheelchair around campus. He carries her backpack. He can even close doors, and turn light switches on and off.

In certain cases, Nerf doesn’t even need to be told what to do.

“He reads what I need,” said the freshman nursing student.

“At home, I’m notorious for dropping my socks when I put my clothes away, so at this point, I don’t even tell him to pick it up. He just sees it and he’s like, ‘I know what you need.’”

The bond between owner and dog goes beyond helping with everyday tasks.

Nerf is always there, at her side
Besides providing practical support, Nerf adds emotional support and companionship, too, when times are stressful, and when Leigh is feeling overwhelmed from her class load and final exams.

“He’ll curl up right next to me, and he’ll just stay there while I get work done; it’s just nice to reach over and have him sitting there,” she said.

Nerf came to Leigh by way of Canine Companions, a nonprofit organization that breeds, trains, and places assistance dogs for people with disabilities.

The organization provides dogs and related services free of charge.

It presently has more than 2,300 active graduate teams nationwide.

Fourteen of those teams — including Nerf and Leigh— are based in Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

Leigh came across Canine Companions a few years ago and decided to apply to the organization’s wait list.

Her family had never had a dog, let alone a pet of any kind.

Naturally, it took a bit of persuading to get the go-ahead from her parents for her to apply for the program. But, they eventually relented.

“I was like, ‘It’s a pet, but it’s a helpful pet,’” Leigh joked.

Since they were matched last summer, the two have been inseparable.

Leigh had to wait about three years after applying to be selected for a service dog.

Nerf and Leigh paired following a rigorous two-week training session at Canine Companions Southeast Regional Center in Orlando.

During training, Leigh learned all of Nerf’s commands and how to properly care for him.

She worked with several other dogs during the training stay, but Nerf proved to be the best to meet her unique needs.

Leigh recalls Nerf being goofy and energetic when they first met. At the same time, he was gentle and sweet, she said.

“I loved him from the beginning; he just fit,” Leigh said.

From the outset, even before training began, Canine Companions trainers had an inkling Nerf would be Leigh’s choice, said Jen Hanes, participant program manager at the Canine Companions Southeast Regional Center.

Hanes said Nerf had the ideal temperament and skills for someone with Leigh’s disability.

Nerf is calm, responsive and loves to work, yet isn’t so high energy that he requires more management on Leigh’s part, Hanes explained.

“There’s more than one dog that could work with Leigh, but we felt like Nerf was just the perfect match for her,” Hanes said.

The match has been life changing, Leigh said, noting it’s now impossible to imagine not having Nerf at her side.

Sometimes, the college student will leave Nerf at home to go to a concert or friend’s house. When she’s without him, she feels “very untethered” and “like part of me is missing.”

“It’s weird if don’t have him,” Leigh said. “I mean, it’s like as if I didn’t have my wheelchair; I don’t leave if I don’t have it.”

The bond they share goes both ways
Leigh depends on Nerf and Nerf depends on Leigh.

“He’s so well-trained and he can do so many things, but at the same time he is a pet. He does need to be cared for and loved, and made sure that he is healthy and things like that,” Leigh explained.

Nerf is a magnet for attention when the two are out and about.

People come up “all the time” to try to pet Nerf, as the two of them the University of Tampa campus, she said.

“I definitely had quite a few people in my classes last semester asking me questions,” Leigh said. “It can be a good conversation because it can be a good education for people that don’t have service animals.”

Meanwhile, Leigh doesn’t ask for special treatment from others.

“I never expect people to make accommodations or to treat me differently,” Leigh said. “I just may need to take the ramp instead of the stairs.”

She prides herself on being an achiever; poised to accomplish many of the same goals of able-bodied people.

At Gaither High School, Leigh graduated at the top of her senior class.

She played in the school’s Chamber Orchestra.

She was president of the American Sign Language Club.

She went to football games and enjoyed hanging out with friends.

“I was very active,”  Leigh said. “I had that drive and the attitude of, ‘I’m going to do well, therefore I will do well.’”

She’s taken that same approach with her to college, with a goal of becoming a neonatal intensive care unit nurse.

With Nerf at her side, of course.

Published February 06, 2019

Hoops coach surpasses 500 career wins

By

Achieving another coaching milestone was all but inevitable this season for Wesley Chapel High School varsity boys basketball coach Doug Greseth.

After all, Greseth ended last year sitting on 499 career wins as a high school hoops coach in Florida.

He didn’t have wait very long into the 2018-2019 campaign to celebrate win No. 500.

It came in the Wildcats very first game of this season — a dominant 59-27 road win against the Pasco High Pirates on Nov. 27.

Wesley Chapel High varsity boys basketball coach Doug Greseth recently notched his 500th career win as a high school coach. (Kevin Weiss)

“I’ve been very fortunate,” Greseth, 61, said about achieving his 500th career victory. “I’ve had a lot of good players. I’ve had a lot of good assistant coaches, athletic directors and principals, that have helped me along the way. I’ve just had some good people and good coaches, and just a lot of really, really great memories.”

Greseth is now in his 33rd season coaching high school basketball in Florida.

Much of his success has come by way of Wesley Chapel — going 271-145 (as of Dec. 17) through 16 seasons. (His 267th win at Wesley Chapel was his 500th career win as a high school basketball coach.)

Additionally, Greseth registered 70 wins in four seasons at Tampa Jefferson (1999-2002) and 163 wins in 13 seasons at Okeechobee (1983-1996) high schools. He also had a two-year stint as an assistant men’s basketball coach at the University of Tampa.

Greseth entered the coaching ranks after wrapping up a playing career at Rochester (Minnesota) Community College and Division III Augsburg (Minnesota) University.

Initially, he saw it as a “year-to-year thing.”

He kept returning to the sidelines, however, realizing he had a passion and enthusiasm for the profession — and a desire to help athletes reach their full potential.

Greseth put his thoughts about his role this way: “Most people don’t like the grind of practice and getting your players ready to go. I kind of enjoy that part. I kind of enjoy teaching them and coaching them how to play. I enjoy it when we start seeing improvement, and just being around the game.”

He acknowledges, however, it can be frustrating at times, and the workload can be taxing.

Much like other high school hoops coaches, Greseth describes himself as part teacher, part janitor and part house mom.

The gig requires more than coaching games, organizing practices and drawing up plays.

Besides overseeing the development of 26 boys on the school’s varsity and junior varsity squads, Greseth also pumps up balls, launders jerseys, sweeps the gymnasium floor and handles countless logistical issues.

“You do more than people think you do,” said Greseth, who also teaches health and physical education at the school. “When you’re a head high school basketball coach, you pretty much do A to Z,” Greseth said, adding, “I have a lot more responsibilities than just the 2 to 2 ½ hours on the practice floor.”

He’s passionate about the work.

“I really put my heart and soul into this. I really try to do the best I can for my players and in turn, I think they try and do the best they can for me,”  Greseth said.

With his teams, priority is placed on effort, unselfishness, and sound defensive play. It’s a philosophy he’s stuck to through the years.

The results speak for themselves.

He has guided Wesley Chapel to eight playoff appearances, three district championships, and to six seasons with more than 20 wins.

He also made three playoff appearances at Jefferson. And, his 27-3 record during the 1990-1991 season at Okeechobee remains the best single season mark in that program’s history.

He’s a teacher, on and off the court.

“I kind of look at the gym as a big classroom — I’m trying to teach them how to play basketball. I think if you approach it that way, you can stay consistent that way and have good results,” Greseth said.

Beyond the wins and accolades, Greseth also has coached his fair share of standout hoopers.

Among the most notable are Tarence Kinsey at Jefferson and Erik Thomas at Wesley Chapel — both of whom earned state player of the year honors, in 2002 and 2013, respectively.

Kinsey went on to star at the University of South Carolina and played three seasons in the NBA (Memphis Grizzlies in 2006-2008, Cleveland Cavaliers in 2008-2009), before embarking on a basketball career overseas.

Thomas, meanwhile, starred at the University of New Orleans, where in 2017 he was named Southland Conference Player of the Year and led the program to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in over 20 years. Thomas — Wesley Chapel’s all-time leading scorer (2,138 points) and rebounder (1,203 rebounds) — now plays professionally overseas in Argentina.

“Those were two of the best players I ever had,” Greseth said. “I had a lot of other good ones, too.”

After three-plus decades of coaching, Greseth shows no signs of slowing down.

His current Wildcats squad — a mix of veterans and inexperienced players —  is off to a blistering 5-0 start (as of Dec. 17). Their average margin of victory is 22 points.

Greseth describes the team as “a great bunch of kids to coach for,” and believes the team can compete at the top of District 8-6A come February, with some marked improvements.

“The district, I think, is pretty balanced this year,” the coach said. “There’s a lot of teams that could get a No.1 through No. 4 seed or get to the playoffs. I think we can be right there at the end of the season; we’ve just gotta get better as the year goes on.”

As for how long Greseth will remain in coaching?

“When I don’t have the passion, the drive and the enthusiasm to do it anymore, then I need to step away and somebody else needs to do it,” he said.  “I’ll know when it’s time.”

One thing’s for sure: Greseth plans to end his coaching career at Wesley Chapel.

“I like the school. I like the kids here. I like the people here. I like the people I work with here,” Greseth said.

Road to 500-plus career victories

  • 163 wins in 13 seasons at Okeechobee High School (1983-1996)
  • 70 wins in four seasons at Jefferson (Tampa) High School (1999-2002)
  • 271 wins (as of Dec. 17) in 16 seasons at Wesley Chapel High School (2003-present)

Wesley Chapel High School boys basketball under Coach Doug Greseth
2003-2004: 22-6 (state playoffs; region semifinals)

2004-2005: 17-10 (district champions; state playoffs)

2005-2006: 23-6 (conference champions; district champions; state playoffs)

2006-2007: 15-12 (district runner-up; state playoffs)

2007-2008: 19-7

2008-2009: 12-14

2009-2010: 13-12 (conference runner-up)

2010-2011: 13-16 (district runner-up; state playoffs)

2011-2012: 24-5 (conference champions; state playoffs)

2012-2013: 24-5 (conference champions; district champions; state playoffs)

2013-2014: 21-6 (conference runner-up)

2014-2015: 17-10 (conference runner-up)

2015-2016: 21-8 (conference runner-up; district runner-up; state playoffs)

2016-2017: 9-17

2017-2018: 16-11

2018-2019: 5-0 (as of Dec. 17)

Published December 19, 2018