SCVNews.com | Opinion/Commentary: Death, Taxes … and Chris Varner Takes My SCVTV Sports Job

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January 30

2003 - Actress & big cat rescuer Tippi Hedren of Acton inducted into Hollywood Walk of Fame [story]

Death, Taxes … and Chris Varner Takes My SCVTV Sports Job

Guest Commentary by Tony Moskal

By Tony Moskal | Thursday, Sep 1, 2011

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In life there are two “for sure” things that will happen to us. Death and taxes. Well, now there’s a third. Change.

For the last four years I have been the color commentator for SCVTV, and now is the time for change. I would like to thank SCVTV, Leon Worden and Dave Caldwell for the opportunity to grow as a person and broadcaster.

I would also like to thank them for helping me expand my wardrobe. Before coming to SCVTV, I had one suit that collected dust like Imelda Marcos collected shoes.

I believe my replacement, Chris Varner, will do a great job.

It’s been said that you want to be the guy who follows the guy who is the legend. Well, Chris was the guy who followed the legend.

Harry Welch took his impressive resume to St. Margaret’s High School after the 2006 season. Chris was placed in a no-win situation with the rabid fan base that has supported Cowboy Football for many years. Taking over a program that had back-to-back CIF championships and a state championship was a difficult task.

In 1996 as a member of the 101st Airborne Division for the U.S. Army, Chris jumped out of perfectly good airplanes, ready to defend our great nation. Taking over the Cowboys may have been just as high-pressured.

Over his four years as head coach, Chris compiled a 21-22 record to go with two playoff appearances. This past season, Chris stepped down as coach to spend more time with his family. The pressure to win and the stress that head football coaches endure just got to be too much.

Chris was one who kept things in perspective. Having a son who has battled cancer will do that to people. It wore on him mentally, so he made the decision to step down.

I give him credit for choosing family over wins and losses. Based on that decision, Chris is a winner.

Now he steps into an area that he may not be too familiar with. Yes he’s been in front of the camera before, handing out those “teachable” moments to his players – but this is different. Chris knows the game very well and will add some things to the broadcasts that I wasn’t able to.

Will there be pressure on him? Probably not … unless of course he calls the Vikings the Viqueens. Then he’ll have parental pressure like he’s never had before.

Thanks to the crew at SCVTV for the last four years. Thanks to Leon for putting up with me. Special thanks to Dave Caldwell for giving me the chance to become involved in the broadcast business.

And good luck to Chris. You’ll be fine. Just learn how to tie a Windsor knot and make sure it’s straight.

Tony Moskal is a teacher at Golden Valley High School. For four years he was the color commentator for SCVTV’s football telecasts. He did such a great job that Fox Sports West picked him up for its football webcasts.

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