Local Boy Makes Good

Wow, this has to go in the Against The Odds column. Western Oregon University player Kevin Boss was selected in the fifth round of the National Football League draft by the New York Giants. He graduated from high school in Philomath, Oregon (pop. 3838), played football at a minor state school whose team (ahem) was not spectacularly successful on the field, and sat out most of his senior year due to injury after only six games. And was selected to play in NEW YORK CITY (well, at the Meadowlands in New Jersey, close enough). Kevin Boss is only the second player at Western Oregon ever to be taken in the NFL draft. Offensive lineman Brian Crawford was selected in the seventh round by the Minnesota Vikings in 2001.

Portland State’s Adam Hayward was selected in the sixth round with the eighth pick (182nd overall) by Tampa Bay. He came to Portland via Colorado State after high school in California, so not as much the “local boy” as Kevin. Still, congratulations, young men! And all the men and women who coached and supported you for the past 20+ years. I’m happy for you all.

Speaking of Local Boy Makes Good, last week our older son Luke was inducted into the Western Oregon University chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi college national honor society. It’s the lesser-known sibling of Phi Beta Kappa, boasting members such as President Jimmy Carter, writer John Grisham, astronaut Wendy Lawrence, and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. While I’m sure the family of Kevin Boss is proud of him, take a look at Steve and me, with Luke after the ceremony.

Guest photo by Grandpa.