did anyone here go to school with/know anyone that was a really good football/basketball/baseball player? one that actually went on to do something? either pros or major college, no local junior college guys, division 3 guys or south western central south east texas state technical college kinda crap.

i went to school with a west virginia university basketball player and a clemson basketball player, as well as knew a boston college basketball player, a michigan football player, a virginia tech football player, a charlotte bobcats nba player and a florida gators football player. lived down the street from a former pittsburgh steeler super bowl champion.

i am not famous, dont run into famous people on any kind of regular basis where i live and dont travel much at all. i came into contact with all of these people at school, among mutual friends, or in 1 case at the local walmart.

i have met Bo Jackson, Javier Lopez ( former atlanta braves catcher), Chipper Jones and many other lesser known players at games or public events....but they dont count for this topic.

I coached a young kid in basketball  and last night I watched him as QB for Notre Dame and will play in the National Championship. I also know someone who plays in the NBA and I coached his cousin who is a standout guard in HS who I know will one day play in the WNBA. I coached sports for 20 years and was a ref so I have seen my share of winners and am able to watch them play at a higher level.

In my smallish northeastern town we never grew 'em that big, so most of my contacts were baseball players.

I was a batboy for a local AA team and played pepper with Bill Madlock, Rick Waites, John Wockenfuss, and a number of other guys who made the show for more than a cup of coffee.

I played high school ball with Jeff Reardon (well, he was a junior when I was a freshman. He was the THIRD best pitcher on the staff at the time).

Later in life I rented rooms to ballplayers from the local AA team, and Jim Bullinger spent most of a season with me. He went on to spend some time in the Cubbies bullpen.

I coach high school volleyball and one of my girls went on to be captain of her division 1 team.