ZachIsHere

Lets Put This David Cook Thing To Rest

// May 22nd, 2008 // Thoughts

I am from Blue Springs.

Do you know what being from Blue Springs and being 24 has meant lately?

Did you know David Cook? Do you know David Cook? Which high school did you go to? Was David Cook popular? Think he will win? Will you vote for David Cook? How do you think David Cook has been doing? Did you see Blue Springs on Idol? Did you go to the David Cook concert? What do you think about David Cook winning? Did you take pictures at the David Cook concert? Do you know David Cook? Do you know David Cook? Do you know David Cook?

The answer? No. Although we have a lot of mutual friends. Even though I went to Blue Springs High School my group of friends spent a lot of time with kids from Blue Springs South. I didn’t really run around with the theater \ musical kids even though I was indeed in Chamber Choir. Not a lot of football player \ Chamber Choir singer mixes around I am an odd duck.

Let me be clear. I don’t dislike the guy. I haven’t heard him sing but I have no doubt he is very talented and don’t wish bad things on him. But the silliness he has brought about to people in this area has been an interesting thing to watch. Considering if he was singing at some local event he wouldn’t get more than a few raised eye brows and a polite golf clap. Folks around here are using their yearbooks to play the six degrees game. Oh, your oral hygienist’s sister gave him a scoliosis test in elementary school? I am sure his spine was right on pitch and really gave a rocker vibe.

What a terrible thing to be “known” for. I know Blue Springs isn’t a big city and it won’t change the world but certainly we could figure something else out to be known for. We have a good school system and generally excel at sports on a national level.

Here are 3 things Blue Springs should be known for before David Cook.

Blue Springs has the shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the world. The parade in Blue Springs begins at Lillian’s Floral Design/Soda Jo’s in the old Lowe’s Drugstore at 112 West Main. The parade, on St. Patrick’s Day, ends directly across the street at the Gridiron Lounge, 1123 W. Main. There are coffee and donuts before, and a celebration following. It has been going on for 31 years and is a total distance of 66 feet.

Professional Sports were brought to Blue Springs in the form of Pro Bowling at Lunar Bowl. The Greater Kansas City Classic brought pro sports to Blue Springs for two years featuring the best bowlers in the world. Area attractions got national exposure on ESPN.

Jon Sunvold the “BIll Brasky” of Blue Springs. The hero stories from Jon Sunvold’s time at Blue Springs are many. The guy scored over 2k points in his high school career without a 3 point line or the ability to play varsity as a freshman. I remember hearing a story from the coaches at Blue Springs that he once brok his nose during the first half of a game. People were looking for something for him to wear as protection and all they had were one of those old school “jason style” hockey masks. He dropped 40 on them in second half wearing a mask.

• All American Basketball player at Blue Springs.
• Jersey retired at the University of Missouri.
• Missouri was 100-28 during Sunvold’s time there.
• 1st round pick to the Super Sonics in 83
• Led the NBA in 3 point percentage during the 88/89 season at 52.2%!!

Hopefully the dust will settle and we can all forget about this season of Idol that is getting terrible ratings. Get our local newspaper to stop being so silly and enjoy our place in the world for bowling, St. Patrick’s Day parades, and Jon Sunvold.

Update: Thanks to Chris for reminding me that the developer of hydrogen energy currently has headquarters in Blue Springs.

Also, a decent list of professional athletes from Blue Springs. Bolded names currently active.
Ladell Betts (NFL)
Brandon Lloyd (NFL)
Kimble Anders (NFL)
Jon Sunvold (NBA)
Steve Harris (NBA)
Brian McCrae (MLB)
Diego Gutiarezz (MLS)
Al Fong (Olympic Gymnast Trainer. Turned out many elite world class gymnasts from the area)