TERRE HAUTE —
During my recent 131⁄2-month battle with abdominal cancer and post-surgery complications, I got bombarded by questions from nurses, doctors and other hospital staff members.
I didn’t mind when they came at normal times, but I hated when they would enter my room at 4 or 5 a.m. and wake me up to ask:
“Mr. Hughes, before I stick you with this needle, what’s your date of birth?”
“On a scale from 1 to 10, how would you rate your pain?”
“How many bowel movements did you have yesterday?
TMI? OK, I’ll stop.
Anyway, thoughts of this reminded me of a Tribune-Star tradition that didn’t happen last May because I was unable to work — my annual questions column.
Now that I’m back, let’s resume this tradition, shall we?
Put your brain to work and feel free to answer if you can:
n Will the new Terre Haute Rex collegiate baseball team catch on with Wabash Valley fans as well as I think it will?
n Will the Indianapolis Colts become the third NFL team ever — Dallas and Miami in the early 1970s were the others — to bounce back one season after losing a Super Bowl by winning the Super Bowl?
n Will coach Trent Miles’ Indiana State football team surprise the Missouri Valley Conference and finish in the top half of the standings this fall?
n Will LeBron James desert the Cleveland Cavaliers and sign a big-money contract with one of the NBA’s big-city teams this summer?
n Will ISU senior Kylie Hutson recover from her hand injury — suffered in that scary pole-snapping accident last Friday in Bloomington, as seen on YouTube — in time to compete in the NCAA outdoor track and field championships? (The preliminary round will take place May 27-29 in Greensboro, N.C., with the top 12 regional finishers advancing to the finals June 9-12 at Eugene, Ore.)
n Considering that I’ll turn 51 next week and I’m gradually recovering from those above-mentioned health problems, will I ever get my bench press close to 300 pounds again?
n Speaking of my birthday, will someone (hint to Lisa) buy me a blue Colts No. 92 jersey with “Hughes” on the back? (That’s because the Colts drafted Texas Christian defensive end Jerry Hughes with their first-round pick last month.)
n Will the Terre Haute Action Track avoid the dreaded rainouts during its four-race 2010 season, starting with Saturday’s Union Hospital Don Smith Classic?
n Who will be the surprise team of the NFL in 2010? (I’m predicting the Detroit Lions with second-year quarterback Matthew Stafford, stud receiver Calvin Johnson and rookie running back Jahvid Best leading the way.)
n Now that Homer Bailey pitched his first major-league shutout Wednesday, a four-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates, does that mean the maturing Cincinnati Reds phenom will live up to his full potential?
n Once again, will Danica Patrick silence her growing number of critics and become the first woman ever to win the Indianapolis 500?
n Finally, even if this were the best sports column ever written, would Ken Griffey Jr. still find a way to sleep through it?
How can you reach David Hughes? By calling 1-800-783-8742, Option 4, or (812) 231-4224 after 4 p.m.; e-mailing david.hughes@tribstar.com; or by faxing (812) 231-4321.
Hughes News & Views
Hughes, News and Views: Inquiring minds must ask …
- Hughes News & Views
-
-
DAVID HUGHES: Super Bowl odds getting stranger and stranger
Today’s annual “Super Bowl odds column” feels special to me because I’ve been a diehard NFL fan since 1967 and next Sunday will be the first time the big game takes place in our great state of Indiana.
-
HUGHES NEWS AND VIEWS: Coach’s book a chance to remember North Vermillion state champs
Almost 10 years ago, February 2002 to be exact, the New England Patriots upset the high-powered St. Louis Rams to win Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans, the Winter Olympics entertained spectators in Salt Lake City and Terre Haute South High School’s girls basketball team started its tournament run toward a Class 4A state title.
-
HUGHES NEWS AND VIEWS: Plenty of sports-related gifts for columnist's wish list
Last week, I was all set to beg Santa Claus to give the Indianapolis Colts a certificate good for one NFL regular-season victory.
Then the 2011 Colts decided to play like the 2009 Colts and clobber the Tennessee Titans on Sunday for their first win of the season. So that present won’t be necessary. -
HUGHES NEWS AND VIEWS: WTHI defends decision not to show Colts
When your favorite NFL team is threatening to finish 0-16, you have to figure a few fans will jump off the bandwagon.
-
HUGHES NEWS AND VIEWS: Former South coach Rady makes it look easy
Jack Butcher, Howard Sharpe and Bill Stearman.
-
HUGHES NEWS AND VIEWS: Wheldon's genuine personality a devastating loss to racing
Lori Wood, the Tribune-Star’s Indianapolis 500 correspondent since 2000, planned to visit a friend in California and take in the IndyCar Las Vegas 300 as a ticket-buying fan last weekend.
-
HUGHES NEWS AND VIEWS: Past greats proud of ISU’s recent improvements
Indiana State football alum Chris “Big C” Hicks will turn 58 Saturday and he knows exactly what he wants for his birthday.
-
HUGHES NEWS AND VIEWS: Rose-Hulman hungry for first football victory of season
The Engineers have not endured a losing season since 2004. But they’ve opened this season at 0-2, causing Sokol to admit they’re desperate for a win.
“We’re all very hungry for a victory,” he said after practice Thursday. “We all want to taste victory really, really bad.” -
Valley semipro football team reaches championship of IFL
The West Central Wildcats’ semipro football team from Terre Haute has been written about before in this column space over the last two years.
-
HUGHES NEWS & VIEWS: Colts cheerleaders glad to get back on field
When I heard the NFL lockout finally ended this week, I looked for someone affiliated with the Indianapolis Colts to get a reaction.
-
Amateur boxing card set for outdoors at Show-Me's
We all know what Show-Me’s sports bar is famous for around Terre Haute, right?
Chicken wings, of course. -
HUGHES NEWS & VIEWS: Porter’s persistence keeps his boxing career going
When I walked in Sweatbox Gym through the alley door Wednesday, I wondered if a time machine had taken me back to the 1950s, the glory days of boxing.
-
HUGHES, NEWS AND VIEWS: Seaton aces chance for more Div. 1 volleyball
Plagued by one injury after another after another, Kristen Seaton was ready to turn off the lights on her volleyball career.
In her mind, the party was over.
-
HUGHES NEWS & VIEWS: Semi-pro football team to kick off season today
If you’re worried about the NFL season being canceled and you can’t wait months for the college and high school seasons to begin, you can get your football fix tonight at Memorial Stadium.
-
HUGHES NEWS & VIEWS: Somebody must know these answers
Can you forgive me for being one day late?
-
Hughes News and Views: Weatherford eager to help with hometown benefit game
If you ask NFL punter Steve Weatherford if he thinks the owners’ lockout of players will end soon enough to begin the season on time Sept. 8, you probably won’t like his answer.
“No.” -
Hughes, News and Views: Woodward continues to excel with speed for West Vigo softball
As I’ve stated in this space before, I don’t like change.
Somehow I’ve learned to use the Internet, Facebook and a cell phone over the last 15 years, but most changes I try to avoid because I tend to think the old-school way of doing things is better. -
HUGHES NEWS & VIEWS: West Vigo grad makes transition to boxing ring
Chris “Ryan” Jewett never shied away from contact. So it should come as no surprise that he transitioned from three years of varsity football and wrestling at West Vigo High School to amateur boxing as an adult.
-
HUGHES, NEWS & VIEWS: Memorable day uncharacteristic for team-oriented Rose outfielder
For various reasons, mainly space limitations, the Tribune-Star rarely publishes full boxscores for Rose-Hulman’s road baseball games.
-
HUGHES NEWS AND VIEWS: Chokeholds hurt, especially when applied by McVicker
After learning that martial-arts expert Jack McVicker took a team to Irvine, Calif., on the weekend of March 24-27 to compete in the Pan Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships, I arranged for interviews Wednesday at his Terre Haute academy on South Seventh Street.
-
HUGHES, NEWS & VIEWS: Mike Saylor leaves with class, dignity
Mike Saylor knew his Terre Haute South coaching career would be concluding soon. But he didn’t want it to be ended by Terre Haute North in the semifinals of the Class 4A Northview boys high school basketball sectional.
-
ISU's Johnson, a former Indiana All-Star in basketball, one of top throwers in NCAA
As a senior at Lawrence North High School three years ago, 6-foot-2 Felisha Johnson averaged 15.9 points per game and earned selection to the Indiana All-Stars girls basketball team.
-
HUGHES, NEWS & VIEWS: Aycock inducted into Indiana Soccer Hall of Fame
The Indiana Soccer Hall of Fame honors the “outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals whose significant accomplishments and effect upon the sport in Indiana merit the highest recognition.”
-
Hughes, News and Views: Columnist brings back unique Super Bowl odds
As I write my first “Unique Super Bowl Odds” column in a while, I want to take this opportunity to make a major NFL-related announcement.
I have forgiven Michael Vick. -
Hughes, News and Views: McVicker still winning martial arts titles
Now that we don't have to worry about the Indianapolis Colts for a while, this seems like a good time to provide publicity to a few deserving Wabash Valley athletes and events that occasionally slip through the cracks:
-
HUGHES NEWS AND VIEWS: It's not personal for Weatherford, who will try to help Jets top Colts
New York Jets coach Rex Ryan does plenty of talking to the media, so his players don’t need to say much about their AFC playoff rematch with the Indianapolis Colts this Saturday night in Lucas Oil Stadium.
That includes Jets punter Steve Weatherford, the former multi-sport standout from Terre Haute North -
HUGHES NEWS AND VIEWS: Christmas gift list returns after hiatus
Santa, stop watching Mrs. Claus play Wii hula hoop long enough to consider granting these holiday wishes:
-
Hughes, News & Views: Terre Haute basketball icons to be honored this weekend
Mike Joyner has been gone almost 33 years, but he is not forgotten. Joyner was Terre Haute South High School’s all-time leading scorer at the time of his death, and wil have his No. 42 jersey retired.
Jim Jones is one of the state's all-time leaders in victories. The court at Terre Haute North will be named in his honor.
-
15 years later, dad details life lessons from son’s death
Those of us who were at Riverton Parke High School’s baseball diamond April 8, 1995, will carry the memories of that sad Saturday to our graves.
-
Hughes News and Views: Day after Thanksgiving not just for shopping
As someone involved with the upcoming Show-Me’s Alumni Turkey Bowl told me this week, the inaugural football game pitting former players from Terre Haute South and Terre Haute North against each other could resemble a high school reunion.
- More Hughes News & Views Headlines
-
DAVID HUGHES: Super Bowl odds getting stranger and stranger
Raw Video: Biden Greets Chinese VP for Visit
Authorities: Houston Found Underwater in Tub
Whitney Houston Funeral to Be Invitation Only
Raw Video: Heavy Shelling in Homs, Syria
New Details in Search for Missing Utah Mom
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Raw Video: 5 People Injured in Bangkok Blasts
Trial Opens for Ala. Man in Bride's Diving Death
Raw Video: Protesters, Security Clash in Bahrain
Raw Video: Kim Jong Il Statue Unveiled
Baltimore's 'Crime Stopper' Is a Basketball Star
Raw Video: Hearse Arrives at N.J. Funeral Home
Obama: Good US-China Ties Help the Whole World
Arm Wrestler Not Guilty Plea in Wife's Death
Raw Video: Houston Body Flown From L.A. to N.J.
School Pays Students to Attend Class
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
First Person: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Obama's Valentine's Advice: 'Go Big'
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Kim K. Wet, Wild and Natural
Ultimate Tazer Ball is a Shocking New Sport
Shakira Attacked By Sea Lion
Modern day treasure hunter searching for $3 billion prize
What Happened Inside Whitney's Hotel Room?
Saying 'I Love You' With a Sewage Plant Tour
VS Models Wow for V-Day
Olympic Swimmer Proposes on Podium After Big Win
Kate Upton MLB 2K12 Commercial
Watch: Whitney Houston's Golden Hearse
Scarlett Johansson's Bikini P-D-A
Man Allegedly Drowns Wife While Scuba Diving
Glee Pays Tribute to Whitney
Wash. becomes 7th state to okay same-sex marriage
Romijn's 60 Pound Weight Loss
The 'Celebrity Apprentice' Cast Meets Donald Trump
Kissing contest heats up
Hugh Hefner's Son Arrested
Jacqueline Kennedy's personal papers released
Did Tyler Perry Have a Secret Wedding?
