Winning Memories

December 07, 2011 Last Updated: December 07, 2011 12:32 PM Special Sections

Seneca Valley softball coach George Trew, with some players last year, recalls his fondest memories of the holidays revolving around family gatherings. Many other sports personalities say the same.

Sports figures share holiday recollections

Some of the most sentimental memories always seem to be linked to the holiday season.

Here are a few examples of noteworthy Christmas memories shared by some sports personalities in the Butler County area.

Wess Brahler, Knoch cross country and boys track and field coach — Back in 1978, there was a big snowstorm right around Christmastime. That year we got sleds, the runner sleds, and with all that snow and ice, we were off from school for at least a week. It was awesome to get those sleds and be with my brothers.

Chris McNany, A-C Valley football coach — When I was six years old, I asked for a dirt bike. I came downstairs Christmas morning and there it was, sitting underneath the tree. I got on it and started it up right there. Pretty soon, the whole living room was filled with smoke.

George Trew, Seneca Valley softball coach — When I was growing up, it was spending time with family. We'd go to my grandmother's house on Christmas Day and my other grandmother's the day after or the next Saturday ... Just getting together as a family was always special.

Kristen McKenzie, Mars girls soccer forward — My dad's side of the family is from the Philadelphia area and my mom's family is spread all over the place. But every Christmas, they make it in and the whole family is together. It's the only time of the year that it happens and it's so nice to have that time together.

George Williams, Seneca Valley boys soccer coach — I'm so thankful for the time I get to spend with my wife, Janice, and our three daughters, Courtney, Olivia and Meagan. My wife and I both have our parents living just a half-hour away. We're very blessed.

Josh Shoop, Knoch athletic director and boys basketball coach — All of my favorite holiday memories involve spending time with my family but some of the most vivid memories involve my brothers and me and some neighborhood kids going out and playing backyard football. Most games ultimately turned ugly at some point because of how competitive we all are, but it was all in good fun.

Jeff Campbell, Moniteau football coach — About two or three years ago, my family and I went to Disney World the day after Christmas for the whole week. It was kind of neat because the weather was miserable when we left and miserable when we got back, but it was beautiful down there.Karen Martini, Seneca Valley girls volleyball coach — One of the biggest traditions is hosting Christmas dinner with family. I decorate every single room in the house. Sometimes, I have the team over and they can't believe it. They're like, ‘Coach, you actually decorate?' ... Family is the most important part of Christmas and I don't even care about getting gifts. I just love to give gifts.

Kevin Reynolds, Slippery Rock University men's basketball coach — Now that I've come to Slippery Rock, it's the ability to go home for Christmas. As a D-I assistant coach, I've been working across the country and I've missed many Christmases. This is going to be the fourth straight Christmas that I can come home and see my family. It sounds simple, but when you've missed as many as I have, it's always good to get home.

Tony Howard, Mars girls basketball coach — There was one Christmas, I must have been about 14 or 15 years old. I came downstairs and saw three huge boxes wrapped underneath the tree for me. It ended up being three big pieces of luggage. Three big boxes, I was thinking of something a bit more exciting. I still joke with my parents about that.Scott Stoner, Butler wrestling coach — Christmas has always been a special time for my family. Growing up, my parents always made it nice for us, and we had relatives visiting every year. Now that I have two sons of my own, it makes it even more gratifying to see them enjoy the holidays.

Brian Giesler, Slippery Rock High graduate and freshman forward on the Grove City College men's basketball team — My favorite Christmas memories have to be from when I was a lot younger, and we had both sides of my family at our house throughout the day. Now, most of them are too far away to come every year.Dan Beebe, Moniteau softball coach — My favorite Christmas memory was carrying on the tradition of opening one present on Christmas Eve.

Jeff Bell, Grove City High football coach — My grandson (Maddox) was born right after the holidays in January so it would have to be that first Christmas with him.