Knoxville Baseball Alumni

12/12/2025

Coach Joel Johnson giving acceptance speech at Knoxville High School Hall of Fame luncheon.

10/16/2025

And this is at 1:25 pm the same day (yesterday) with a successful walk with the aid of a walker. Hopefully back to full strength in a few months!

10/16/2025

Waiting for my new left hip, my landing leg when pitching. It’s worn out and with a little help from radiation it’s dying. This is at 6:00 am

10/02/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17P8RBDf9P/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🐾PANTHER FANS! Mark Friday, December 12, 2025, on your calendar now to honor your 2026 inductees: HOWARD ELLIOTT from the Class of 1969, the 1987 BOYS TRACK team, the Class of 1993's Heidi Higginbotham, and COACH JOEL JOHNSON. Please plan to join us for the Noon Luncheon and the evening induction ceremony to celebrate these amazing recipients...more to come!

10/03/2022

Our last trip to Mayo, we hope! 3 more treatments. On Wednesday I will “ring the bell” which is the tradition upon completion. There is a plaque above it that says in part, “Ringing of this bell signifies the completion of your… treatment and shares the sound of HOPE with others on the journey.” While here, I’ve witnessed many who have rang the bell and it does give others HOPE.

In Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians 13:13 he says, “So faith, HOPE, and love abide, these three, but the greatest of these is love”. It sounds like a top 3 list to me and it’s hard to argue with Paul that love is the greatest. But he also lists two others-faith and HOPE. I’ve always believed that without HOPE, our life on earth ceases to exist as we know it. As a Christian, even with my last breath, I have hope for eternal life.

In my experience at Mayo, I have met more than several who are much worse off than I and they continue to have HOPE. It’s what propels them into the next day. It’s not easy. Anyone who has battled this disease knows how difficult it is to keep HOPE and faith alive (that I didn’t fully realize until I experienced it myself).

An experience in HOPE and faith: I met a man (Darwin) and his wife in the waiting room about 2 weeks into my treatments. We hit it off right away. We had similar treatment plans. His cancer was also a Gleason score of 9, however, it had already spread to several lymph nodes and was imbedded in his pelvis bone. He was considered “treatable” but not “curable”. He is 62 years old, a bank manager in another state. His wife was a career educator (another thing in common) and had taken early retirement and is also about 62. Darwin added her to his health insurance. It may be a worry about if he’ll be able to keep his job and keep their insurance till Medicare. They of course worry about their future and their kids and grandkids hearts. This disease will totally disrupt your daily life style. Darwin and I have been good support for each other and we’d just happen to see each other in the waiting room if our treatment schedules coincided.

Last Friday I saw both of them and Darwin looked a lot different. I didn’t recognize him at first until I saw his wife. Darwin was taken to the ER the night before and diagnosed with Bells Paulsey. As if they needed any more to deal with!! Right now, they still have faith and HOPE (at times I’m sure they don’t). They certainly love each other very much. So, in this post, I ask you to pray for Darwin and his wife. They may have a heart wrenching future but “ring out” as an example of faith, HOPE and love. Thanks

09/25/2022

27 radiation treatments down, 8 to go!

Wow! That was a tough week. I felt like a hitter in the box that got brushed back with two 100 mph fastballs and then HIT with the third one that brought me to my knees.

My radiation oncology team says I’m tolerating it very well, better than most. I wouldn’t want it any worse! But the medical oncology team that monitors my hormone therapy says I’m checking off most of the bad side effect list. They are trying to eliminate the production of testosterone from every gland that produces it. Prostate cancer cells feed on it.

I was in the waiting room talking to another patient who was on the same treatment plan as me. We were comparing our hot flashes, bed sweats, mood swings and irritability. He said he was complaining to his wife about the effects and she told him to “buck up, now you know how a middle-aged woman feels!” Now that was funny! At the beginning of this, I was told the hormone therapy would be a minimum of 3 years, maybe indefinitely. Hmmm… that’s not going to happen if it’s like this.

I was cleaning out some desk drawers when I was home. I came across a very yellowed newspaper clipping. I don’t remember where I got it but I think each married man needs to read this and follow it the next time their wife comes home after a bad day.

Some advice from a woman to his man: Listen!

When I ask you to listen to me and you start giving me advice,
You have not done what I asked.
When I ask you to listen to me,
And you tell me I shouldn’t feel that way,
You are trampling on my feelings.
When I ask you to listen to me,
And you feel you have to do something to help solve my problems,
You have failed me, strangely as it may seem.

Listen, all I ask is for you to listen.
Not talk, or do—just hear my words.
When you do something for me that I need to do myself,
You contribute to my fear and feelings of inadequacy.
But when you accept as a simple fact
That I do feel what I feel, no matter how irrational,
Then I can quit trying to convince you and you can focus on
Understanding what’s behind my feelings.

So just listen. If you want to say something, just wait. I’ll let you have your turn when it’s time.
-----------------------------------------
The mental and emotional part of the game is just as important as the physical.

09/18/2022

The overwhelming feeling of gratitude… and the importance of expressing it!

This post about my cancer path is a little different. No emotionally moving stories and no funny ones either. This is just about how I “feel” and am inviting “you” to act and feel the same. There is something spiritual about having the feeling of gratitude and expressing it.

We’ve all heard well-meaning, kind and caring people make the comment to someone grieving or hurting, “well, it could be worse” (Ok, that is a little funny). That’s not what people grieving or hurting want or need to here. But there is some truth in it! On my cancer journey I’ve met many in the waiting room that ARE much worse off than I! I thank God for being blessed. I pray for those who are facing worse than I am. Someday I (and you) will be in a more dire position as well. It’s inevitable.

This post is really about being grateful for the caregivers and helpers in your life—Give thanks and express your gratitude to each of them.

I have the best caregiver in the world (that’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it). She has been my BEST friend for about 57 years. We met when we were 12 years old in the sheep barn at the Iowa State Fair. Isn’t that romantic! She was a girl and a friend but not my “girlfriend” at that time. That came later. We’ve been married for 48. She has been through pain, suffering, insults, accusations, criticisms, gossip and a load of stressful things because of me. Many things I brought upon myself and she stood faithfully and confidently by my side. Most times it was caused by my own doing. I was doing what I thought was best for my family, my players and my students. I’ve also been injured or sick a lot over our married life. She has ALWAYS been there to provide support, encouragement, care and comfort.

Now, with this latest chapter of our lives, she is right there providing those same things for me in this difficult time. I could NOT do this without her caregiving. God bless her and I publicly want to thank her.

Our children, grandchildren, and their families have been so communitive, supportive, caring, and prayerful and I give thanks to them and express my gratefulness.

We have such loyal, true friends in Ames. Some water our flowers, some mow the lawn, some put out the garbage, some pick up things we need, some give up their ISU FB tickets when I’m feeling like I can go and some even come all the way to Rochester to pick me up to take me home when my #1 caretaker needed a break. And many of you have been messaging us, praying for us, and expressing your love. To ALL of you, I am very grateful.

To all the people who have followed these posts (over 3,000) or click a reaction (100’s) and to all those who leave a heartfelt message, I am overwhelmed by your kindness. Many are from Knoxville and many from all over the United States. I feel underserving. Those who really know me, know I’m somewhat embarrassed by it… but extremely grateful.

This old coach offers this advice to my former players: No matter what situation you are in, no matter what pain (emotional or physical) you have, it’s true that it could be worse. No matter how unhelpful and condescending that phrase seems to be to you, be grateful. Be grateful for the people around you who are your caregivers and let them know how much you appreciate them. And if you feel like you are alone, reach out. There are people who would love to help you if only they knew. Don’t isolate and hide it inside. Speak to someone! It is not a sign of weakness nor is an embarrassment. There are wonderful people who want to be your caregiver in some way. Accept their grace.

(Now, that wasn’t too long, was it? I have some good stories but I have a few more weeks to decide on the good ones)…. God bless you all!

09/10/2022

My cancer journey: Post #3

17 treatments complete… 18 more to go. I’m calling that Half-Way!

Observation 1: My Mayo oncologists are very intelligent, have vast experience and collaborate well. They are a bit cocky, self-confident, and very competitive (it’s like its THEM against the DISEASE and by golly they are going to win!). Like my teams, I wouldn’t want them any other way. The RN’s who work alongside each of them are also very experienced, communicate with me as we go along, advise us on meds, etc. However, none of them are like your family doctor in your small town, their role is a bit different. They do their job and they do it very well.

My “radiation techs” are also well-trained, set things up each day and prep me for treatments. They get me in the exact position I need to be so that this robotic machine can move around me and put the radiation exactly where the doctor wants it. They are also the ones I refer to as my “angels of mercy”. They have that personal touch with their patients. They get to know you, find out where you’re from, what you did for a living, who’s in your family. They provide care and comfort. When they observe something about the patient, they have a direct line to the doctors and call them immediately. The doctors quickly respond to them (even quicker than they do me when I send a message). There must be a high level of trust and cooperation between them. So I ask that you say a prayer for these angels of mercy, giving thanks to God that there are such people here and around you as well. .. AMEN!

Observation 2: The hotel we’re in provides a nice breakfast each morning. The very first day we were there, a young man was attentive to our needs. It was like he anticipated everything we needed. I asked him his name and let’s just say it was Jimmy. He asked for mine. I felt pretty special and less stressed when he was around. He was that way each morning. Then, I noticed something. I wasn’t special. He acted like that with EVERYONE! People knew him by name and he knew theirs. I watched and listened closely. Each person’s face lit up when they saw him as they interacted. Remember that these are guests that are getting treatments, here because it’s serious, and they have significant others who are with them who are stressed as well. I asked Jimmy why he does what he does. He said that people here have serious things to worry about, they don’t need their stay at the hotel to be part of the stress. He wanted to lighten their burdens.

One morning this week I went down early to get something to eat. Jimmy was behind the hot plates making omelets (which he didn’t normally do). I could tell he was having fun and was excited. I also noticed he had 4 hot plates making omelets and had a list on the counter to make more. The hotel wasn’t selling the omelets, but people saw him and decided to have an omelet that morning. When I had an opportunity to talk to him privately, I asked him if he had lived in Rochester all his life. “No,” he answered. His face and body language told me I had hit a nerve. For the first time he lost his smile. I just waited to see what he’d say. “I’ve lived here almost 20 years with my mom, brother, and sister,” he finally said. I didn’t speak. After another pause, he said, “I lived my first 6 years in Guatemala”. I said that was cool and asked if he remembered anything about it. He answered, “Yeah, the trees, mountains, all the rain in the fall and…” He had to gather himself. “And I remember my mom and siblings running up into the forest and up the mountains to hide whenever mom thought there might be danger.” It was an awkward moment, another silent pause. Then I asked if he remembered the mosquitoes! His smile and laugher came back, “Oh yeah, they were terrible!”

I went to a table to eat. When Jimmy wasn’t busy making omelets, he came out and went table to table picking up plates, etc. There was a place for guests to take care of that themselves but I think he did it just to interact with the guests. When he got to my table, I stopped him for a second and said, “Jimmy you an amazing, caring, and respectful young man.” He replied, “Well, thank you so much. You are amazing and respectful to tell me that.” That’s Jimmy. Receiving a compliment and turning around and giving it back. I will never forget him. Every day, we need to be more like Jimmy… Pray for him as well with me….. AMEN!

08/30/2022

My cancer journey:

Week 2 done, bring on week 3! …. 8 treatments down and only 27 more to go!! Side effects are disturbing but not terrible yet. If you haven’t seen the 10 min special about ISU defensive lineman Isiah Lee, you need to go to cyclones.com and watch (even if you are a Hawkeye!). Lee is a shining example of love, faith and hope and overcoming obstacles. He has a standard approach to every day – “Make today your best day!” Matthew 6:34 says, “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Starting in the mid-90’s our baseball team had a philosophy that we reduce to “play for today, tomorrow it might rain”. What’s in the above paragraph is what we meant.

3 encounters from last week:

#1: I was waiting on our hotel elevator to open, when a man 15-20 years younger than I approached. His head was down, shuffled along and had that beleaguered look. I asked if he was OK. He didn’t answer at first, then whispered, “yeah” and we got on the elevator together. He moved to the wall and leaned on it. I asked him if it was a long day. He came out of his trance and answered, “Yes, very,very long day”. I waited in silence for a few moments. Then he told me he was in the hospital waiting room all day while doctors did a double hip replacement on his 21-year-old son. He never told me why, not my business if he didn’t want to tell. After a few I’m sorry’s, I thought of Matthew 6:34 and quoted it to him. As he got off the elevator he turned, a little smile on his face and whispered “thank you”.

#2: Again, waiting for an elevator at the hotel parking lot. A young couple came up pushing a stroller. In it was a 15-month-old boy (I thought of my great grandson and started to get a little emotional). He had a plastic ball in his hand but looking pretty sad. His head was completely shaved and he had an incision from one ear all the way over the top to the other ear. It had a lot of staples and some kind a clear ointment on it. I bent down to talk to him. He threw his ball at me, of course I missed. I retrieved it and gave it back to him. A big smile and a little laugh came out of him and he threw the ball again. This time I caught it and he laughed out loud. The elevator doors opened and we all got on. I noticed the parents were in a good mood so I asked how their son was doing. They explained that things are so much better now. The boy had surgery 5 days ago because his skull matured way too early. We’re born with joint like creases in our skull so we can make it through the birth canal and to allow growth while the brain grows and develops. His “joints” had fused and they had to go in and “break” them. They excitedly told me the doctors said he would be OK now…. Faith, hope, and love and the greatest (says the apostle Paul) is love. But he still mentions Faith and Hope. Without them, life as we once knew it, is gone.

#3: As I approached the front door of the Charlton Building, I stopped to put on my mask. An older couple (yeah, about my age) came out with her pushing him in a wheelchair. Suddenly the man started crying, harder and harder. She pulled out a bunch of tissues and handed some to him while she used some for herself. She then went in front of the wheel chair and kneeled down on the concrete. They hugged and hugged. People around them just kind of moved away from them. Now I was starting to cry. I could only imagine what “news” they had just heard that morning. I wanted to stop and say something comforting, but I was speechless and walked by to go to my treatment. The vision of them haunts me and I’m so sorry I didn’t stop. It’s Faith and Hope that guides us on and it’s Love that comforts us along our way.

Play for the day. Do all you can to “win” today. Make today your BEST day! Don’t worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will worry about itself.

08/22/2022

One week down... 7 more to go! Leaving for week two shortly. Side effects of radiation and hormone therapy mild so far, more so psychologically than physically, but doctors tell me it will get worse (great-sarcasm added). What has been a pleasant impression is how kind, courteous and helpful people have been. Not just the doctors, nurses, and technicians but the people who work at Mayo, the cook at the hotel, the people who send messages, the UPS employee who went above and beyond to get cancer medication to me before we left this morning. It is SO uplifting and emotionally supporting. It creates a whole new perspective on how important it is for us to be polite, helpful and observant of where we can help others to make life a little more hopeful. God bless you all.

08/07/2022

Time to go to WAR!! A war, ultimately, none of us ever win!

This post is to my former players, the rest of you can listen in. I have always tried to be very honest, straight forward, and open with you. It’s still that way.

6 ½ years ago, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. It was removed at Mayo Clinic and I was instructed to check my PSA every 3 months for 5 years. If it remained zero, it meant that none of the cancerous prostate cells escaped and I was very low risk for recurrence. I went 3 ½ years and then got a .1 PSA. Mayo confirmed that my cancer was back. I was to keep checking the PSA and when it got to .3, I was to call them and they would start the process of trying to find where it was located.

That was one of the main reasons for our move to Ames. I didn’t want Barb to be over 10 miles from a town, grocery store, and major hospital. The opportunities for her to keep involved with life were far greater than where we lived if my condition went south. Last summer my PSA had climbed enough for Mayo try to find it, they couldn’t. However, a new type of PET scan was in the process of being approved in the United States by the FDA.

A few weeks ago, the PSA was .34. My local urologist told us that the new PET scan had been approved a few months ago. We went back to Mayo and had the PET scan. It found cancer cells deep in my pelvis in a lymph node next to my aorta.

My Mayo care team recommended hormone treatment for a minimum of 3 years starting immediately and radiation for 7 weeks, 5 times/week as soon as it could be set up. I was not too excited about the probable and possible side effects. After the radiation is over, I will be evaluated for chemotherapy. I was told that if I did nothing, I would have a life expectancy of 2 – 2 ½ years. I asked for my 5-year survivor rate IF I did the whole hormone/radiation program and they said it would be 60%. However, they also said that I had about a 20% chance of being “cured”, especially if the PSA was below .5. It had been 8 weeks since my last test at .34. They did the PSA test and it had jumped to .54, a larger jump than over the past 3 years.

We have decided to “get into the game” and go for the win. I have already started the hormone therapy and start radiation on the 17th at Mayo.

The last few days have been very difficult for us, but it’s getting better. We are not in control. Nor are the doctors. None of us will win the war of avoiding death. Fortunately, I have a Savior and redeemer who defeated death for me.

The human condition makes it very difficult for us to really know and feel the hardship someone else is experiencing. We can imagine it but until we actually personally experience it, we can’t “feel” it. That’s why if something happened in a game we’d never “experienced” and handled it badly, it wasn’t your fault. It was mine. It’s also why the next day at practice we “experienced” it over and over again.

At the same time, even if we’ve never “experienced” the situation, a random act of kindness is heartfelt and appreciated. Yesterday Barb & I went to Costco on a very hot day. I had to park a distance from the store. I had Barb wait in the store while I pushed the cart to the car and I would pick her up at the door. As I put the last item in the car, a young women approached and asked me if she could take my cart back to the store on such a warm day. My initial thought was to say “no thanks, I can do it”. And I could have. But I realized she was trying to do a random act of kindness and I should let her. I told her thank you and she left with it. As she left, I was overcome with emotion. Here’s a person who had no idea who I was nor what I was going through the last few days. Yet, her act of kindness is burned into my heart.

My point. Throughout your life be attentive to the ones you love and to those you don’t even know. You never know when a random act of kindness can touch the heart of someone and give them hope. Knoxville Baseball was never about winning. Oh, we got after it… but it was based on relationships with each other, the culture of caring. Care about the people around you. You can win those battles, but ultimately you won’t win the war.