Dear Santa,

As you make your rounds this weekend, please do what you can to fulfill my annual sports Christmas list by providing the following:

To TODD GRAHAM, outgoing Pitt football coach: The lead role in the Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

To GEORGE MIHALIK, Slippery Rock University football coach: A university named after him. (He already has the stadium. We’ve got to think big here, Santa!)

To the KNOCH FOOTBALL COMMUNITY: A DVD of the 2011 season. Such memories of a community bonding together should be captured forever.

To the PITTSBURGH PENGUINS: Clear heads and the health that comes with them.

To the PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Two wins for them, one loss each for Baltimore and New England.

To DEREK PYDA, Eagle sports writer: Ditto.

To the PITTSBURGH PIRATES: First place on Sept. 30, not July 30.

To CLYDE CONTI, Butler football coach: The next step, in the form of a couple of section wins.

To MIKE KILROY, Eagle sports writer: Enough wisdom to not be annually buffaloed by the Bills.

To JAMES HARRISON, Steelers linebacker: A muzzle.

To BEN ROETHLISBERGER, Steelers quarterback: A fresh foot to stand on.

To DICK HARTUNG, Butler County Community College men’s and women’s basketball coach: A clone of himself, so he can get some rest.

To RED SOX NATION: Some cheese to go with their whine.

To JASON ORFAO, Eagle sports writer and Red Sox fan: Apologies for the above line.

To SAM TALLARICO, Eagle sports editor: Coaches who call in every basketball box score nightly, so his statistics keeping can enjoy peace on earth.

To CAITLIN BAXTER, injured Butler girls basketball player: A healthy knee to go with her healthy attitude toward her team.

To NATE SNODGRASS, Butler point guard: A foul-less world.

To ROGER GOODELL, NFL commissioner, and the rules committee: A book entitled “The Defense Must Be Heard.”

To SENECA VALLEY ATHLETICS: Just give them the year 2011 all over again. They’ll be happy.

To DARLENE ENRIETTO, my wife: The start of the NBA season. (Hey, pretty good timing there, Mr. Claus.)

To BRANDON FUSCO, Seneca Valley and SRU graduate, Minnesota Vikings center: A few starts and a few wins.

To JEFF CAMPBELL, Moniteau football coach: A district championship, state playoff win and undefeated season ... I see that’s done. Geez, Santa, what do ya do for an encore?

To JOE PATERNO, former Penn State football coach: His legacy restored.

To SPORTS FANS EVERYWHERE: Enjoyment of victory, brushing off of defeat and respect for officials.It is just a game, after all.Merry Christmas!