Dear Santa,

Time flies almost as fast as your reindeer ... OK, not quite, the mileage they compile in one night is impressive ... but I digress.

If you are not too, too busy in the next few days, please grant these Christmas wishes on my behalf:

To Rob Densmore, Butler football coach: The patience and confidence to continue his plan. He can get it done.

To Joe Lewandowski, Butler girls basketball coach: Ditto.

To Darlene, my wife: A dinner date with Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Derrick Rose or Dirk Nowitzki ... Makes no difference which one. She’ll dine with any of them.

To Christian Hackenberg, Penn State quarterback: Entry into the NFL Draft. Go now. Do not look back.

To Mike Johnston, fired Penguins coach: A better fit next time.

To Major League Baseball: Abolishment of the DH rule.

To Pedro Alvarez, former Pirate infielder: Continuation of the DH rule.

To all professional sports: Abolishment of instant replay use.

To Derek Pyda, Eagle sports writer: Abolishment of Roger Goodell.

To high school basketball officials: Ear plugs.

To Mike Kilroy, Eagle sports writer, and his fellow Buffalo Bills fans: An escape from mediocrity (probably your biggest challenge, Santa).

To Kevin Zitzman, Eagle news desk: The chance to experience what it’s like to be his brother on a bowling alley — just once.

To Jim Dudek, Eagle news desk: A time machine that will enable Freeport football to play at Swartz Field forever.

To George Mihalik, retired SRU football coach: A 14-0 lead at Shepherd.

To Mike Tomlin, Steelers football coach: A win at Kansas City or a home win against Cincinnati.

To Ed Conto, Karns City football coach: Regional respect. Oh ... never mind, Santa, the Gremlins grabbed that one themselves a couple of weeks ago.

To George Williams, Seneca Valley boys soccer coach, and Patrick Hammonds, Butler hockey coach: One more win.

To Rob Carmody, Mars boys basketball coach: One more year with last year’s team ... Nice work, Santa, I see you’re on top of this one.

To Brian Minto, Butler professional boxer: One more bout in Butler.

To Jim Smith, Eagle staff writer: The determination to stay Strong. Hook ‘em!

To the PIAA and WPIAL: Peace and harmony. Can’t we all just get along?

To disgruntled Pirate fans: A 2015 calendar so they can notice it’s still December. Get with the winter weather and chill.

To Scott Stoner, Butler wrestling coach: Another 300 wins.

To Josh Rizzo, departing Eagle sports writer: Success in a new field by way of an old work ethic.

To the world of sports: Recognizing the fact that we bask in games because games are fun — and sports are a competitive version of games.

And competition breeds sportsmanship, teamwork and all of the good stuff in between.

Merry Christmas!

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle