Big Rapids teammates and a West Point weekend

PHOTO: Somebody doesn't belong in the this group. L-R: Me; Rollie Stichweh, Army Hall of Fame QB, rival of Navy's Roger Staubach in epic 1963 and 1964 Army-Navy Games, served in Vietnam; Robert Jones, a Stichweh classmate and teammate, Vietnam War POW for five years at Hanoi Hilton torture chamber same years as John McCain; and (Ret.) Col. Rick Steinke, West Point grad and Big Rapids High QB. Visit my website homepage, TomShanahan.Report By TOM SHANAHAN  WEST POINT…

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The dumbing down of American and Dick Vitale

By TOM SHANAHAN Mercifully, another year enduring Dick Vitale broadcasts has wrapped up. Why is he so popular? He reminds me the dumbing down of America is a cultural trend that similarly foisted the Kardashians upon us. Yes, he draws ratings, but does he say anything besides the obvious and then repeat it? There was a time when Vitale was a capable analyst, but that was before he pursued his financially rewarding TV persona. He has aged into…

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