Let me make this clear: The players and coaches, as well as the STA parents have the utmost respect for Coach McQuaid and his players. During the offseason the two teams work out together at the Nova complex. Many of the players are friends and wish the best for each other. Last year we beat Nova 2-1 and then lost in the regional championship game. We made some mistakes that we will not repeat this time around. We will see them again at some point whether or not we get past Northeast to win the district; we take no one for granted--ever. It's part of the wiring at St. Thomas. Winning is a result of pursuing excellence. That's what we do. Excellence in execution, excellence in fitness, excellence in state of mind. It makes average players better, and good players great. To be part of this program as a player or parent, is not only a blessing, but an opportunity to learn a valuable life lesson--hard work pays. Sometimes when your on the outside looking in you may think "they recruit, that's why they're good. They're a bunch of rich kids with their own batting cages in their back yards." If you're a player, don't make that mistake. Ask an STA player what they did at Saturday's practice, and then ask any other player any where in the county what they did at their Saturday practice (if they even had one) and you'll understand the difference. Or, ask Dennis Raben. Ask him why he's at STA. Don't just assume that Coach Lawson called him, offered him free tuition and a prime parking spot in the garage. That's the easy answer--the answer of a loser. Dennis Raben is at STA because he's a winner--in his heart and in his mind. He once told me that he made his decision to come to STA when he was at last year's regional championship game against Nova. We lost that game 7-4 at home. Our home facility is sub-par, doesn't have adequate restrooms, and the dugouts are way to small. The school is located in the rough Northwest section of Fort Lauderdale. Compared to Nova's facility, it's a dump. So why did he choose STA? The same reason I did at my first orientation before my son's freshman year--the place is heeped in tradition, prestige, spirit and whole lot of stuff you just can't touch, you can only feel it in your heart. Once a Raider, always a Raider. STA Pride. Yes raiderrick, you've got it.