Dear Santa,

It's hard to believe, but it's that time of the year again. I know you've got a few things on your agenda already, but be a good chap and handle this list for me, won't you, old boy?

To DAVE WANNSTEDT, Pitt football coach: A Big East championship.What? You say you already gave that to him and he gave it back?

To MIKE TOMLIN, Steelers head coach: Somebody on defense who can make a play in the fourth quarter. (Put that on the 2010 list, Santa — it's a little late for this year.)

To BUTLER FOOTBALL FANS: A whole new attitude and a whole lot of faith.

To DAN BYLSMA, Pittsburgh Penguins head coach: A healthy team.

To DOROTHEA EPPS, Butler girls basketball coach: A couple more Olivia Bresnahans for down the road.I'm giving you advance notice, Santa, because I know it takes years to make those things.

To GEORGE MIHALIK, Slippery Rock University football coach: The same starting quarterback for four years. That worked pretty well with Randy McKavish and Nate Crookshank.

To LAUREL HEILMAN, Slippery Rock University women's basketball coach: A tall, strong and assertive center.

To PERRY MYERS, Eagle sports copy editor: A coffin to bury the Pirates, since they're dead to him.

To DEREK PYDA, Eagle sports writer: A do-over for the past few Pittsburgh football weekends.

To MIKE KILROY, Eagle sports writer: A head coach for the Buffalo/Toronto Bills.

To SAM TALLARICO, Eagle sports writer: His son, Austin, becoming left-handed with the ability to throw a fastball 98 mph by age 21. The family would never have to work again.

To MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: No designated hitter and no instant replay.

To JAMIE DIXON, Pitt basketball coach: A magic potion that can age his team really, really fast.

To VIC GIANNOTTA, Seneca Valley basketball coach: A real trophy to place on his mantle as he tries to win the Butler Eagle Coach of the Year Award

again.

To MATT CLEMENT, Butler boys basketball coach: Tighter shoes.

To ZACH JACKSON, Seneca Valley graduate and Cleveland Indians pitcher: Steady work in the big leagues.

To BRIAN MINTO, pro heavyweight boxer: The chance to fight someone his own size on pay-per-view.

To JOHN RUSSELL, Pittsburgh Pirates manager: A new five-year contract. It's going to take at least that long to steer his ship toward the promised land.

To JIM SMITH, Eagle news reporter and avid University of Texas fan: An ark to withstand the Tide as it rolls across the Lone Star State.

To MIKE KING, Knoch football coach: A couple of reversed fumble calls. Another game might have come with them.

To DARLENE, my wife: A Super Bowl win for the Colts, the benching of Tom Brady, dinner with Hines Ward, a job for Marvin Harrison and a 150 bowling average.She always wants lots of stuff for Christmas.

To SPORTS FANS everywhere: A joyous and safe holiday season, and remember: It's only a game.John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle.