No Hay Riesgo, No Hay Premio
por Cheval John
Tiene un deseo que tener su propio negocio, hacer su propio horario y hacer sus propias reglas?
Mike y Laurie Haralson decidieron que tomar el riesgo y abrieron sus propio restaurante se llama “FatBoys.” Es ubicado en 1932 Sam Houston Avenue entre The Draft Bay y Humphrey’s y enfrente de la Universidad Estado de Sam Houston.
Ellos tienen unas variedades de comidas incluye hamburguesa, hot dogs con queso y chili, alas de pollo y muchos mas. Los Haralsons quieren para sus huespedes que sientan como si ellos estan en un lugar especial, entonces la atmosfera es para toda la familia.
El proceso los tomaron 2 anos para cumplir. Cuando los padres de senora Haralson se fallecieron en 2003, la dejaron dinero en que ellos pudieran ponerse el plan en accion. El proximo paso fue encontrar una ubicacion que seria mas conviniente para los huespedes para encontrar. Tienen una vecina que es duena de edificios alrededor de calle 20th y Sam Houston Avenue y ella hablo con un amigo de los Haralsons que era dueno de una estacion de gasolina. El sabia que ellos estaban buscar por un edificio, entonces a el la ha referido a los Haralsons.
Segun a Senora Haralson, “Ella y yo reunimos y ella decidio que financiar el edificio para nosotros.”
Despues de renovacion, el restaurante abrio en Septiembre de 2005 y celebro su quinto anniversario el ano pasado.
Para alguien que quieren ser dueno de sus propias empresas, senora Haralson tiene este consejo: “Necesitan comenzar una empresa que es una necesidad para la gente, no una opcion, como ir a una restaurante para comer y no alquiler un edificio de alguien porque cuando una persona estar pagar la cuenta para los utilidades, tambien esta pagar para el dueno de estos edificios en que esa persona esta alquiler para su empresa.”
Puede encontrarlos en Facebook y su numero de telefono es (936) 295-3902.
Highlights From The Final Two Games Of The 2011 Season
by Cheval John
Friday May 20 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders 5 Sam Houston State Bearkats 1
The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (A&M-CC) Islanders spoiled the farewell game of head coach Mark Johnson as they beat the Sam Houston State (SHSU) Bearkats 5-1.
The Islanders got on the board in the top of the first on a RBI single by leftfielder Matt Holland (2-5) that made it a 1-0.
They increased the lead to 2-0 in the top of the fourth on a RBI double by shortstop Weston Montgomery (2-3).
The Bearkats pulled within one in the bottom of the eighth when catcher John Hale (1-2) scored on a wild pitch by starting pitcher Todd Simko and had an opportunity to tie the game, but to no avail. Hale singled earlier in the inning with one out and advanced to second on a single by firstbaseman Daniel Nottebart (2-4) and advanced to third on a fielder’s choice that allowed leftfielder Luke Plucheck (2-3) to reach first. After Hale scored, pinched hitter Tyler Jones walked and centerfielder Mark Hudson (1-2) followed with a walk to load the bases with two outs. Then thirdbaseman Kevin Miller (0-3) struck out to end the inning.
That allowed the Islanders to put the game out of reach when they exploded for three runs in the top of the ninth to make it 5-1. Logan Nottebrok, who replaced thirdbaseman Bobby Buckner (2-4) earlier in the game, led off the inning with a walk. Secondbaseman Jeramie Marek (1-2) reached on error by relieve pitcher Paul Spinn. Then Holland followed with an RBI single to make it 3-1. Firstbaseman Trey Hernandez (1-3) followed with a walk to load the bases. Then centerfielder Chris Vergne’s (2-4) RBI sacrifice fly increased the lead to 4-1. They scored the fifth run on a RBI single by shortstop Weston Montgomery (2-3).
Simko went eight innings and got the win for the Islanders and starting pitcher Matt Shelton got the loss for the Bearkats.
Saturday May 21 A&M-CC 6 SHSU 4
A&M-CC swept the series against SHSU by the score of 6-4. This was the final home game for head coach Mark Johnson, who is retiring at the end of the 2011 season.
The Bearkats scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first on a RBI single by thirdbaseman Kevin Miller (3-4).
But the Islanders exploded for five runs in the top of the fourth to make it 5-1. Secondbaseman Jeramie Marek (2-5) led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a single by firstbaseman Trey Hernandez (2-4). Marek would score from second on a RBI single by leftfielder Matt Holland (2-4) to tie the game. Rightfielder Jacob Perales (1-4) followed with a single to load the bases. The second run for the Islanders came on a bases loaded walk to centerfielder Chris Vergne (0-2). Then designated hitter Omar Garcia’s (1-4) two-run double and an error by leftfielder Luke Plucheck (0-3) capped the five run inning.
Hernandez would score the Islanders sixth run on a balk by relieve pitcher Brent Powers. Hernandez walked earlier in the inning with one out and advanced to third on a single by Holland.
The Bearkats scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth on a RBI ground out by shortstop Braeden Riley (0-5) and on a RBI single by designated hitter Chris Andreas (2-3).
They had an opportunity in the bottom of the sixth when centerfielder Mark Hudson (0-2) led off the inning with a walk. He would advance to second on a bunt single by rightfielder Greg Olson (1-5). Catcher John Hale (2-5) followed with a bunt single to load the bases. Then firstbaseman Daniel Nottebart (3-4) hit an RBI single to cut the lead to 6-4. Then Plucheck struck out to make it one out and secondbaseman Ryan Mooney (0-4) fouled out to make it two outs and then Riley fouled out to end the inning.
They would have similar opportunities in the bottom of the seventh, the eighth and the ninth inning, respectively, but to no avail.
“We were in position several times to tie or win the game,” head coach Mark Johnson said. “You look for encouragements and we haven’t been that way for the last two days, so we felt that we were on the brink today.
For the Bearkats’ 13 seniors, even though they close out their playing careers at home with a loss, they are looking forward to send out their head coach Mark Johnson as a winner in the Southland Conference Baseball Tournament next week.
“He means everything to me,” senior Chris Andreas said. “He’s a great coach and it’s an honor for me to play for him and he taught me lessons on the field as well as off the field.”
“I am happy that we made the post season and have a chance to play for the Southland Conference Baseball Championship.”
“It’s disappointing for me because we wanted to finish strong,” senior Braeden Riley said. “The post-season is coming up and it’s a fresh start for us and we have to go out there and play.”
According to head coach Johnson, “Tournament time is an interesting time because the mentality changes and the whole physical make up and there’s no edges given.”
The Bearkats will be the #5 seed as they will face the #4 seed Southeastern Louisiana in the 2011 Southland Conference Baseball Tournament that will be held at Bobcat Ballpark on the campus of Texas State University in San Marcos from May 25-28. The game will start at 4:00 pm. and will be broadcast live via internet on gobearkats.com. All of the games will be streamed live at www.southland.org. The championship game will be televised on the Southland Conference Television Network on Saturday night at 6 p.m.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 5 Sam Houston State 1
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders took the first game of the three game series against Sam Houston State Bearkats by the score of 5-1.
The Islanders struck first in the top of the first on firstbaseman Trey Hernandez’s (1-3) two-run homerun that gave them a 2-0 lead. It was his 11th of the season and the 50th of his career as a Islander.
The Bearkats pulled within one in the bottom of the second on a RBI single by firstbaseman Daniel Nottebart (1-3). They had opportunities to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth and eighth inning, respectively.
Designated Hitter Chris Andreas (1-4) singled with two outs in the bottom of the sixth and advanced to second on shortstop Braeden Riley’s (2-4) single. Then thirdbaseman Kevin Miller (1-3) was robbed of a potential game-tying single by secondbaseman Jeramie Marek to end the inning.
Catcher Doug Oney (1-3) led off the bottom of the eighth with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by secondbaseman Ryan Mooney (1-3). Rightfielder Greg Olson (0-4) struck out to make it two outs. Then Andreas flied out to end the inning.
The Islanders added three more runs in the top of the ninth on Caleb Marx’s (1-1) three-run homerun. Marx pinched run for designated hitter Jumpy Garcia (1-2) in the top of the seventh.
Starting pitcher Ian Campbell went the distance and got the win for the Islanders while starting pitcher Brandon Kimbrel got the loss for the Bearkats.
According to head coach Mark Johnson, “I am a little disappointed that we did not come out and play competitively.”
The final two games of the season will be played on Friday night and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m., respectively at Don Sanders Stadium. The pre- game ceremonies to honor coach Johnson willl be on Friday night.
For more information, visit the Bearkats Athletics Department Website at: www.gobearkats.com
All Good Things Must Come To An End
by Cheval John
The weekend series between Sam Houston State University Bearkats and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders at Don Sanders Stadium marks the last home game for head coach Mark Johnson as he will be retiring at the end of the 2011 season.
The Bearkats clinched a spot in the 2011 Southland Conference Baseball Tournament that will be held at Bobcat Stadium on the campus of Texas State University-San Marcos from May 25-28. It will be their fourth appearance in the last five years under Johnson’s tenure.
Johnson’s career as a head coach is 1,042-559-3 and is among active head coaches with 1,000 or more career wins. He got his 1,000 career win on March 28, 2010 when the Bearkats rallied to beat the University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners 8-6. To appreciate his contribution to the game of baseball, a person needs to understand his journey.
Johnson played for the University of New Mexico from 1965-1967, receiving All-Conference honors and was an NCAA All-Region in 1967. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Science and Physical Education and a Master’s Degree in Recreation and Physical Education in 1967 and 1971, respectively.
He played for the New York Mets organization from 1967 to 1969. After the stint with the Mets, he was an assistant coach at the University of New Mexico from 1969-1971 while he was a graduate student, then served as an assistant coach at the University of Arizona (UA) from 1971-1976, where they won the national championship in 1976. He continued as an assistant coach at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) from 1976 to 1982 before joining Texas A&M in 1982 as an assistant coach to Tom Chandler.
“I left a pretty good job at Ole’ Miss and took a chance at A&M,” Johnson said. “There was no guarantee that I was going to get the head coaching position once Chandler retired, but I felt at peace with the decision.”
After Chandler retired in 1984, Johnson was promoted to head coach and lasted 21 years. He took the program to new heights, winning the Southwest Conference Championship in 1986, 1989 and 1993. The Southwest Conference dissolved in 1996 and the Big 12 Conference was formed in the same year. From there, they won the Big 12 Conference Championship in 1998 and 1999. They were in the NCAA playoffs 13 times and made it to the College World Series in 1993 and 1999. He also served as head coach of Team USA in the summer of 1999.
After finishing 9th in the Big 12 in 2005 with a 30-25-1 record, Johnson was fired by current Athletic Director Bill Byrne. That could have been the end of his coaching career, but Bobby Williams, athletic director at Sam Houston State University had other ideas. Johnson was hired on July 16, 2006, becoming the sixth head coach of the Bearkat baseball program.
“He took a chance on me,” Johnson said. “My professional career would not have been complete had I not come to Sam Houston and I will always appreciate him for giving me this opportunity.”
That chance paid off because in his first season as head coach, the Bearkats won the 2007 Southland Conference Baseball Championship and reached the NCAA Division I regionals for the first time since 1996. They reached the regional finals, but came up short against Ole’ Miss. They would win two more Southland championships in 2008 and 2009.
Even though the accomplishments on the field are impressive, his accomplishments off the field is more important to him. His family and faith are at the center of his life and to him, it is important to always do the right thing and to never compromise to anything. And the statistic that shows his contributions off the field, 93% of the players that played for Johnson at A&M received their college degrees.
Johnson received the FCA Baseball Jerry Kindall Character in Coaching Award in 2007 and was the first recipient of the American Baseball Coaches Association “Ethics In Coaching” Award in 2008 at the ABCA convention in San Diego. He is in the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame.
According to Johnson, “Whether we win or lose, win a championship or not, I would rather prefer somebody to say that you’re a man of strong character and integrity.”
Coach Johnson has been a great ambassador to the game of baseball and the game will not be the same without him. He has taught young men how to play the game the right way and has made a strong impact that they will remember for the rest of their lives.
The weekend series will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. The pre-game ceremony to honor coach Johnson will be on that Friday at 6:30 p.m.
For more information, visit the Bearkats Athletics Department website at: www.gobearkats.com.
No Risk, No Reward
by Cheval John
Have you ever dream of being your own boss, setting your own schedule and making your own rules? Many have those dreams, but do not act upon them for fear of failure.
Mike and Laurie Haralson decided to take the risk and open up their own restaurant called FatBoys. It is located on 1932 Sam Houston Avenue between The Draft Bar and Humphrey’s and right across the street from Sam Houston State University.
They have a variety of foods including burgers, chili cheese dogs, wings, frito pie and many more. The Haralsons wanted their patrons to feel like they were in the hill country, so the atmosphere is family-friendly.
The process took them 2 years to complete. When Mrs. Haralson’s parents passed away in 2003, they left her some money allowing them to put their plan into motion. The next thing they had to do was to find a location that would be very convenient for the customers to find. They had a neighbor that owned buildings around 20th Street and Sam Houston Avenue and she talked to a friend of theirs who had a gas station. He knew that they were looking for a building, so he referred her to them.
According to Mrs. Haralson, “She and I got together and she agreed to finance the building for us.
After remodeling and renovating the building, it officially opened in September of 2005 and they celebrated their five year anniversary last year.
To anyone who wants to own their own business, Mrs. Haralson has this to say: “You need to get into a business that is a necessity for people, not an elective, like going out to eat and do not lease a building from somebody because when you are making monthly payments on utilities, not only are you paying for yourself, but you are paying for the person that you are leasing from.
You can find them on Facebook and their phone number is (936) 295-3902.
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