Opinion Corner: Unofficial end of season

Talk about it

The Memorial Day weekend signifies different things to different people.

For many it’s a long weekend with an extra day off — not in this profession, of course. In my neighborhood the normal convoy of campers and boats that line the streets and driveways were gone — escaping to relax at a lake, cabin or campsite somewhere, although I hope they brought an extra blanket or two.

This past weekend also means the unofficial ending of another sports season. There are a couple state tournaments yet to be completed, but for the most part, the year is winding down, mercifully.

Each year when this time comes, you think back to what you saw the past nine months — the good, the bad and the ugly — and covering sports in Jamestown you get a taste of it all.

I had someone ask me the other day, “Selvig, was this a good year?” referring to the Jimmies and Blue Jays. “I don’t know if it was good,” I replied. “It wasn’t horrible, I don’t think.”

Mixed bag might be the way to put it.

There was plenty of regular-season success for several teams: JC basketball, baseball, softball, mens’ golf teams and Blue Jay volleyball, gymnastics, girls’ hockey, baseball, plus some individual successes. Conquering the postseason remains a work in progress, however.

Conquering the postseason does not mean state championships or national championships. Only one team per sport per season does that.

Those of us who have lived in this part of the world long enough don’t set the bar that high, at least I don’t. We wouldn’t stay sane if we did with the likes of the Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves and Wild bumbling through season after season. As the legendary Jim Mora once yelled, “Playoffs? Playoffs? I just hope we can win another game.”

There was of course the NDSU football team which delivered in a big way, but the obnoxious nature of many, not all, Bison fans certainly did not lend itself to being a conclusive event. At least that’s not the vibe I, and many others got.

So, it’s on to the slightly slower days of summer, which is the best part of Memorial Day weekend in my book, and maybe even a few days off.

Sun sports editor Dave Selvig can be reached at (701) 952-8460 or by e-mail at dselvig@jamestownsun.com

Tags: sports, seasons, jays, jimmies