The South Point High School Class of 1986: We Blinked--and Forty Years Passed: A Look Into the (cough, cough) Distant Past
May 31, 2026, will mark 40 years since the South Point High School Class of 1986 walked across that stage and grabbed our diplomas. And like everyone else, I find myself asking the same question: how in the world have four decades gone by? Where did the time go? How did we go from planning graduation parties and our college years to planning for retirement?
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After graduation, I headed to a small school in Tennessee on a baseball scholarship. Like so many college baseball players, I dreamed of pitching in the big leagues—specifically for the Reds. In the fall of 1986, things were going well. I picked up a split‑finger fastball that became a really effective pitch. I struck out 13 in one of my outings in October. And then, in the spring, I tore my UCL.
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Today, after suffering UCL tears, pitchers get surgery, rehab, and come back stronger in about a year. Back then, we didn’t have the high level of knowledge and treatment that we have today. Sadly, that injury marked the end of my career.
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I finished with a degree in Political Science (which felt pretty useless at the time, to be honest). It took me a year to find a job. Then, in January 1992, I packed everything into a U‑Haul and drove to Chicago on January 4—my birthday, of all days. I started work that Monday, January 6.
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My first job was with a marketing research firm, where I stayed for five years. From there, I spent over 20 years in IT, and now I’m working in Complex Claims (Health Care) at CNA. In 2012, I met the love of my life, Susan, and I've never been happier. We left Chicago on Election Day 2020 (kind of ironic) and moved to Texas. We rented a town home in Frisco for a year before buying our home in Prosper in October 2021.
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We love Texas. No more freezing cold winters with feet of snow. The winters down here, for the most part, are warm and dry. We do get some bad and violent storms in north Texas in the spring, though. They are certainly not fun. I like watching the tornado in the Wizard of Oz. I don't necessarily like seeing one in person.
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One of our biggest societal advancements since we graduated has been Facebook. For those of us who use the platform, it has been a great way to stay connected. Without it, I honestly wouldn’t know where anyone is.
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I think about our class often and try to keep in touch as much as I can. I hope everyone is happy and healthy. We’re at the age now where we need to take inventory of our health. I think about all of you with kids—who now have kids of their own. For those who are grandparents, I hope you’re loving every minute and spoiling your grandkids rotten!
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Which brings me to the next “How did we…?” question: how did we get old enough to be GRANDPARENTS?
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Our reunion is set for late August. I’m going to do my best to be there. I hope to see everyone and catch up after all these years.
