T'is the season for giving and receiving. Let's face the facts, everyone likes to get gifts then give them. As a little kid we all used to write a long list of what we want Santa to bring us, so I went out around the school to talk to athletes and those who work in athletics to see what is on their holiday list.

“To win a gold medal on home turf when we host the provincials for volleyball this spring,” said Mike Lindsay, manager of Athletics at Fanshawe College.

“To see the Fanshawe Athletics website up and running,” wished Lloyd Rumble the head coach of the Women's Volleyball team.

“To see our setter Pawel Kucharski not abandon his teammates and come back for second semester so we can win provincials,” hoped Rob Thorpe who works at athletics and plays on the men's volleyball team.

“To own a sports car, dreamed Nicole Martin, manager of the cross country team.

“My good buddy Kyle Shewfelt, who is the reigning Olympic gold medalist for floor gymnastic busted both his legs at the world championships. I want him to be healthy and be able to compete at this years Olympics,” said Rob Hannivan, athletic technician.

“To improve our health, academics and cardio in the second half,” said Kevin Gordon, head coach of the women's basketball team.

“A new pair of M.J's, A pair of Raptor tickets to see Cleveland and James, and to repeat as OCAA champions and win nationals,” confessed Omara Sybbliss, co-captain of the men's basketball team.

“To repeat as OCAA champs and win nationals,” said Rustom Anary, co-captain of the men's basketball team.

“For my Packers to win the Superbowl,” said cheesehead Laura Carney, also a Fanshawe Falcon fan.

“For my neighbour Drew Doughty to win a gold medal for the world junior hockey championship [and] for my Tampa Bay Rays to not come last next year,” said Jeff Duffy, Falcon fan.

“To be able to jump as high as Ryan Corby,” said Jackie Corby, Athletic Office Support worker.

“The (men's basketball) team to play a perfect game, no turnovers and great rebounding [and for] the Packers to win the Superbowl and beat the Cowboys,” said another cheesehead Glenn Johnston, head coach for the men's basketball team.

“For the Leafs to fire Paul Maurice,” said Sean Mathe, who works in the athletics department.

“For my team to stay active over the Christmas holiday and for the dancers to learn another dance,” said a footloose Josh Westgate, head coach for the men's volleyball team.

“For good wishes for the athletes,” said a creative Ernie Durocher, Athletic Officer for the Men's Program.

“For BJ Ryan to come back from Elbow surgery and have another 38 save season and that the TV Broadcast team wins a baseball game this upcoming season,” said Matt Wiles, a die hard Falcon fan.

“I would like to date a Fanshawe Falcon Dancer,” said a shy Mike Smith, promotion officer for Fanshawe sports.

“For players not to have such hard first and last names. For Josh Westgate to get a sense of style and for the varsity teams to release a Swimsuit Calendar,” said I, Jairus Patterson, announcer for Falcon varsity games and the writer of this article.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years.

On a side note, my prediction of the Chicago Black Hawks making the NHL playoffs looks pretty good right now!!!