The story of this "surreal" lunch was just one of the many shared by Jaime Aron (the "I" in the story) with Tim Hagood's Sports in Literature and Film elective class last Wednesday. Aron, father of Lakehill sophomore Zac, is the author of five books on Texas sports and was the Texas Sports Editor for the Associated Press from 1999-2012. Having reported on events on every continent where people play sports except Africa, including seven Olympic Games, Aron had time only to scratch the surface of his vast experience. 

Nevertheless, being able to listen to a reporter (who was once almost punched out by Jerry Stackhouse) was a rare treat for the students. Aron was able to cover many topics, so the students heard about more than sports celebrities and their eating habits or rages. An example of such a topic was Aron's story about a publisher's request that he update his Tales From the Dallas Mavericks Locker Room, a book first published in 2003. A new publisher wanted to issue a new edition in 2011 during the Mavericks' inspiring title run, but insisted that Aron bring it up to date while he was covering the Mavericks in the NBA finals for the AP. Game six was on a Sunday night and, with the Mavericks winning their first NBA championship, Aron did not get back to his hotel room until 2:00 a.m. While his colleagues were celebrating with the Mavericks, Aron was in his room working all night to finish the manuscript so that the publisher could get it Monday on deadline. Aron said he was "literally watching the sun come up over the Atlantic" as he was putting the final touches on the manuscript.

Such lessons about hard work and leaping at opportunities when they arise are at the heart of many of the best sports stories. Aron's stories had the same salutary effect on the students, who left the class not merely enlightened, but also inspired.

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