Dear Santa,

I know you’re busy packing for your big trip right about now.

Just dropping a note reminding you to include these gifts for people who really need them. Honor this list as best you can:

To GEORGE MIHALIK, Slippery Rock University football coach: A healthy quarterback.

To ROGER GOODELL, NFL commissioner: A pair of reading glasses. It says National Football League, not International Football League.

To GARY BETTMAN, NHL commissioner, and DONALD FEHR, NHL Players Association: A book entitled “How to Play Well With Others.”

To CLYDE CONTI, Butler football coach: A winning season. It’s the next step.

To RASHARD MENDENHALL, Steelers running back: A farewell party.

To MIKE TOMLIN, Steelers coach: A pair of wins over Ohio rivals. This can still happen, Santa!

To MIKE KILROY, Eagle staff writer and his fellow Buffalo Bill fans: A soothing sofa in NFL purgatory. They’ve been there so long, they might as well be comfortable.

To SCOTT STONER, Butler wrestling coach: A win over North Allegheny.

To BRANDON FUSCO, Seneca Valley and SRU graduate: An NFL playoff berth with the Minnesota Vikings.

To the PITT FOOTBALL TEAM: A January trip to anyplace but Birmingham.

To WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY football: A defense.

To PITTSBURGH PENGUIN FANS: A game ... anywhere ... sometime soon.

To JEFF CAMPBELL, Moniteau football coach: A season that’s all about football — and only football.

To DEREK PYDA, Eagle staff writer: Wedded bliss — and multiple TV sets. Can’t have one without the other.

To BILL O’BRIEN, Penn State football coach: Respect. Er, scratch that one, Santa. He’s already earned it.

To JASON ORFAO, Eagle staff writer: Red Sox free agent signings that make sense.

To the PITTSBURGH PIRATES: A four-month long baseball season.

To DESS SCHNUR, Pullman Park director of stadium operations: An occasional night off during the spring and summer.

To BUTLER and SENECA VALLEY hockey teams: Renewed enthusiasm, winning seasons and PIHL playoff berths. (I see you got to work on this one ahead of time, Santa)

To BRIAN MINTO, Butler heavyweight boxer: One more climb up the ladder.

To NATE HARTUNG, Butler graduate and Winston-Salem State lineman: One more win — and one less loss.

To SCOTT MILANOVICH, Grey Cup championship coach: A coaching position in the NFL.

To DARLENE, my wife: A solemn promise from me never to leave her bowling shoes at home again.

To SPORTS FANS EVERYWHERE: A joyous holiday season which provides for us all the most precious gift on earth.

Peace.

Merry Christmas!