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♦ SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2007 8A BOND From page lA we're going to go out togeth er." Joiner adds of Sessums/'He's a good friend," but if you'll note the earlier statement: It's just not them, adds, "The first time I met him," - curly long blond locks and all - "I thought he was one of the most obnoxious overbearing people I'd ever met. I have two nicknames for him 'Good Eye' and the 'Blond Bomber'. But he grew on me... and I think I grew on him. "Still there are those who tell him, and me included, he acts like Rick Flair sometimes." ' Ouch! But being compared to a wrestler on TV is a form of flattery only they can appreci ate. Joiner's day with the coach es, their "sporting event” - a little boxing, a tackle here, a touchdown there - typically begins at 8 a.m. That's when someone, usu ally his Parapro Robert Lucas, wheels him in - right dead center of the coaches' office. And, he typically stays there until the bell rings for his first class at 11 a.m. Middle of the room is per fect because from there he can watch the world of the coaches go by. And, humor aside for a bit, it is a world that fascinates him. In truth, he didn't just haphazardly show up on the coaches'doorsteps. Sports is his world. At home he watches "a lot" of TV, he says. Sports programs. "He's fascinating," says Jones. "He knows every player, every team, every stat. He's a wealth of information." On a side note, he also likes to watch game shows. Would he like to be on one? You bet. But, being a Christian since he was 10 - he had a rededication of that decision last year - "I'd give my winnings to charity." The deepest part of his sports convictions, however, comes from his father, Jeff. Joiner says the two attended/ attend all sorts of events together, from baseball - his favorite, and favorite team is the Braves - to football (Falcons, and you'll read later about his favorite "college" team). The only thing to make it less than perfect: Differing opinions."He likes golf and hates basketball and I hate golf and love basketball," Joiner says. In fact, he loves basketball so much the coach es have let him help coach the junior varsity team. Or was it a setup? "Hey Ryan," calls out Athletic Director George Collins, this the morning after a game last week and from inside the "safety" of his office." What happened at the game last night? I heard they were up 20-1 and they letyou coach a little bit and the other team scored 21 straight points. "That says a lot about your coaching (ability),"Collins adds, now coming out of his office with a smile as wide as his receiver on a pass play, and giddy to gauge Joiner's reac tion. No disappointment there: "Hey Coach Collins ('Big-head ed AD' is Joiner's nickname for him), I could say a lot about your coaching, too." From somewhere across the room another "ouch" goes up. OK, so maybe he has yet to find his niche in basketball. He is still an inspiration. In fact, he sometimes gives motiva tional speeches before a big contest, the coaches say. That's something he began when he started his pseudo-coaching career last year under former Bears baseball coach Andy Gentry. (He also got his letter man's jacket at that time. And, he also had his head shaved just like the players prior to a big series.) But back to "motivational speeches." The coaches wouldn't have it any other way but - once again referring back to the it's not them com ment - are quick to point out they sometimes don't have the effect intended. "He gave us a motivational speech in the third round of the state soccer playoffs," Baxley quips, ensuring Joiner hears every word. It should also be noted at this point that the coaches, extremely sensi tive to never wanting to hurt his feelings, always gauge his initial reaction before deciding on whether to lower the ham mer. "And that was the worst defeat in school history." He laughs. Joiner laughs. In fact the whole morning can be summed up with a jab, a laugh, a counter-attack and another laugh. Or "laughs" as Joiner is seldom not the center of attention and always thriving in it - same as for the coaches on his behalf. On this past particular Tuesday morning when he was interviewed, an BXIO sign is taped to the wall. It reads:"Dec. 21 is Be Kind to Ryan Joiner Day in the coaches' office." In itself it's hardly threaten ing (although if not for the Bear Brawl basketball tourna ment on that day, it could be a joke that the coaches aren't going to be there). In fact, there's only thing that gives the guys with whis tles an advantage:The Florida Gators. Pretty soon someone will mention them and when one domino falls, they all do. The truth: "I'm not a Florida fan at all," Joiner says, instead pointing out the University of Georgia is, and always has been, his No. 1 ."My whole fam ily went there. My dad's whole family went there. It's just been in me ever since I was born." Nevertheless ..."Ryan did you ever get rid of that shrine you built,"asks Sessums, explaining about a fictional Gators shrine Joiner has been rumored to have built in a school closet somewhere. Even as Joiner attempts to defend that away, Coach Fort Halstead's cell phone rings - no coincidence he's stand ing right next to Joiner when it does. "Hello. Oh, Ryan it's for you." Joiner chuckles. He sees this coming from a mile off. In fact he's no stranger to cell phone pranks as one of the coaches once planted one on him and then called it in the middle of class. Nevertheless, he takes the call. "Hello?" "Ryan this is Urban Meyer (head football coach at Florida). I was just wondering if you're going to come help us out this year.” Ryan laughs deeply again. "No, it's not. I know it's you Coach (Doug) Johnson (former athletic director, who appears to spend just as much time up there these days as he did when he wasn't retired)." Then he hangs up and laughs some more. He does likewise - to the point of near ly losing his breath - when someone hangs a Florida Gators badge around his neck when it came time to shoot his picture for this article. He laughs but his body lan guage says he has just been infected with the biggest p ■ “ * V 'Q * 8 I * IMSC (of science IN NURSjjt# 1 ■option oTre services' ■OF MUDDLE GEORGIA Site 'll ■ Spring Semester Weekday Classes Begin January 7 ON CAMPUSES IN MACON & WARNER ROBINS Contact the Office of Admissions: 471-2800 or 1-800-272-7619 maconstate.edu ijagigsl HH ■ Journal/Don Moncrief Houston County High School coaches gather around their favorite son , Ryan Joiner, Tuesday at the school. batch of cooties known to mankind. If it's cooties, mind you, he doesn't want them to come from those nasty old Gators. They're reserved for one special girl, the crush of his lifetime. But, her name shall remain a secret unless he tells you himself. Or, unless those coaches spill the beans, which is quite likely as that's also been a verbal target on his back. Ditto for jokes. In fact, lately he's been in trouble with the coaches for passing on this one from them to his mom: What's the difference between beer nuts and deer nuts? Beer nuts are a buck 25. Deer nuts are found under a deer. The coaches get him going by telling him he broke the "coaches' creed," i.e. taste less jokes should never leave the office - and especially shouldn't be told to you mom ... especially if they came from coaches! He takes the heat for a bit then calmly explains the "mom-son" creed is much big ger. than the coaches' creed (The coaches in turn cry foul, once they get him off by himself, saying he only says it because his mom was in the room at the time.) Oh, and by the way, who does he say is most respon sible for the jokes he learns at school? "Coach Johnson," he says."He gives me some pretty good ones. I did one time (break the code by telling the ■p, beer/deer nuts one) and that nearly bit me in the butt," he says tongue-in-cheek. (P.S. If you meet him, be sure to ask him about the "naked" jogger at Warm Springs.) The humor aside once more, Joiner describes himself as a kind, compassionate, loving person." And funny," blurts out Jones'assistant on the volley ball courts as well as Baxley's in basketball. She and Joiner's affectionate war on words bor ders around her connections with North Carolina. He says he strongly believes in having good morals and having a "good, strong faith in the Lord." A good portion of his outlook on life he also credits to his grandmother. "She really stepped up and filled my heart,"he says."l real ly, really love her... and she can When you donate your car to Goodwill, your car will become part of Goodwill’s Automotive Training Program. Goodwill’s trainees will learn valuable job skills in automotive technology while improving your car’s value. You will get a tax deduction for the amount that we sell your car for, and Goodwill trainees will get good jobs in our community. Call 1-866-Let-lt-G<^Mj|fl|^H^H www.qoodwill^Sra*^^^| Building lives, families, and communities ONE JOB AT A TIME. "I continued to work full time and take care of my family while I attended classes at Macon State, it's a great way to get a bachelor's degree!" make some really good, really great pecan pie." Adds Lucas, who is in his fourth year now as Joiner's parapro - a relationship that as you might imagine extends well beyond the classroom walls, and will continue to do so far into the future, Lucas says:"He doesn't want to hide behind his disability. He has a wonderful outlook on life ...A real piece of work... God sent." "He's Batman. I'm Robin," adds Joiner. (Jones retorts by saying:"l thought you were Wonderwoman.") Soon, however, that won derful, special one-of-a-kind dance between Joiner and the coaches could be over. With 39.5 credits to his name and only 22 needed for graduation, he will some months down the line leave his high school days 27majoreki our growing number of Bachelor's Degree programs. Our Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts programs support rewarding professional careers and enhance the Central Georgia economy. ' MACON STATE COLLEGE THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL behind. Even though he loves Science, his hands "don't work too good.” It's his hope and the hope of the coaches - some thing Collins is working on - that he return as some sort of community coach. It needs to happen, Joiner says. Houston County High School needs him. "The school, I really love it," he says,"And it's been an honor to be here for seven years. But maybe once I return." He then shifts to open ly talk about what's to happen if he's not there. Who's going to point out all their mistakes?"A lot," he quips in that regard. And in the other: "Maybe (with me here) they'll win a state championship." In the spirit of celebrity roasts ...Well done Ryan,well done. SI goodwill