Dear Santa,

Before you pack up the sleigh and hit the skies, please make sure you pack the following stuff:

For GEORGE MIHALIK, Slippery Rock University football coach:The safe return of his stolen Division II playoff berth.

For MATT CLEMENT, free agent pitcher:A fresh start — about 32 of them, actually — in the major leagues.

For JAKE CUFFMAN, minor league pitcher — A fresh start with the Pittsburgh Pirates organizationFor the

PITTSBURGH PIRATES:A fresh start, period.

For JEFF McANALLEN, Butler football coach:A win ... followed by another and another and another, etc.

For MIKE TOMLIN, Steelers head coach:A tape of the 38-7 "Monday Night Football" win over Baltimore, just to remember the good old days.

For MIKE KING, Knoch football coach:Atape of the 2007 Knights season to show detractors of the past.

For JOE LEWANDOWSKI, Butler basketball coach:A WPIAL playoff berth.

For RON BUTSCHLE, Seneca Valley football coach:A section win and a WPIALplayoff berth — oops, sorry, Santa, I see you've already taken care of that.

For CRITCHFIELD PARK:The return of its departed summer baseball team.

For MIKE KILROY, Eagle sports writer:The Buffalo Bills' escape from the abyss known as mediocrity in the NFL.

For DAVE WANNSTEDT, Pitt football coach:Another big recruiting year, a bowl game — and gratitude for no longer being affiliated with the Miami Dolphins.

For BOBBY PETRINO, former Louisville football coach, former Atlanta Falcons football coach, current Arkansas football coach (for now):A little integrity, please.

For RICH RODRIGUEZ, former West Virginia football coach, current Michigan football coach:The ability to recognize when a good defensive performance kicks your butt.

For WEST VIRGINIA FOOTBALL FANS:ARich Rodriguez voodoo doll.

For SCOTT STONER, Butler wrestling coach:Good health over the next four years for his current crop of eighth and ninth-graders. Great things are sure to follow.

For ADRIENNE ORRIS, Slippery Rock girls basketball coach:Another Jence Rhoads, even though your elves would have to work overtime for a year to create one.

For JIM TRESSEL, Ohio State football coach:Better luck this time.

For DEREK PYDA, Eagle sports writer:Refer back to Wannstedt, along with gratitude for never being affiliated with the Dolphins.

For PERRY MYERS, Eagle sports copy editor:Belief that the Pirates really will win again. (Give me a break. I believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and Peter Pan, too).

For DOROTHEA EPPS, Butler girls basketball coach:A section championship.

For SAM TALLARICO, Eagle sports writer:A guest appearance on the Eagle's sports roundtable (which can be seen each week at www.butlereagle.com ... just a shameless plug, there.)

For DARLENE, my wife:A few more dinners with me at home.

For EVERYONE:A joyous, prosperous and warm holiday season.John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle.