Before I get started, I just want to say that I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.
Over the weekend, I went back to Fort Myers to visit some friends from my days at Florida Gulf Coast University and act like a college student again — but with more than just $50 in my checking account.
I was out golfing nine holes with one of my fraternity brothers, “Squints,” when my phone started buzzing in my pocket. It was a calendar alert that I had forgot I set for myself. Probably because I had created the alert last December.
“Athlete/Team of the Year Peoples Choice,” it read.
I had no idea what it meant, but when I returned to Plant City I remembered a promise that I made to all of you in a column that I wrote many months ago: I’d let you all sound off and give me your ideas for our athletes and teams of the year edition. With it fast approaching, I think the time to get started on that is right now.
We’ve had a heck of a year out here, athletically, and I’m currently racking my brain for worthy nominations. My problem isn’t that there’s a lack of them, but that there are so many great squads and players to pick from.
That’s where I’d like for all of you to come in. Since there’s only one of me, I can say that I’ve only seen so much with my own eyes; Maybe there’s someone I need to know about, or some team that’s performed way beyond expectations that needs some love from the local paper. I’d love to know, and I’d love for you, readers, to keep me in the loop.
From right now until 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, my email inbox will be open to any and all suggestions.
Send suggestions to jkline@plantcityobserver.com. In the subject line, please put either “Athlete of the Year” or “Team of the Year,” followed by the name of the team or person.
Tell me why the team or person you’re nominating deserves to be recognized. Please keep it simple — I just need to know who they are and what they’ve done in 2014 that makes them so great. Also, please back up any statistics or information that you send me with your sources, so that I can verify any information.
Lastly, please let me know how I’d be able to reach that team or person by phone or email. If it’s a high school team, I’ll just need to know the name of the coach.
I’m looking forward to hearing your input!