While interviewing for stories, I sometimes learn fascinating information which doesn’t directly relate to the storyline. Yet, it’s just too good not to share. Such was the case this past week - in two different instances.  

 

"The Rest of the Story" - Part 1:

 

In talking with 1977 Bridgeport High School graduate Bob Koepka about his pro golfer son, I found out that Brooks Koepka isn’t the first professional athlete in the family. Bobby, who made his mark on Bridgeport baseball from Little League through high school, is the nephew of Major League Shortstop Dick Groat. In 1960 – the year after Koepka was born – Groat was named the league’s MVP and champion team Pittsburgh Pirates’ top slugger with a .325 batting average.

 

Some in the Bridgeport community remember Groat well.

 

“He and Bill Mazeroski were the best shortstop and second baseman Pittsburgh probably ever had,” said Hugh Gainer, longtime city resident and educator.

 

Groat, who also played for the St. Louis Cardinals, led the NL in double plays several seasons. Koepka said he didn’t know him well, but does remember his Uncle Dick throwing out the opening pitch on year for Bridgeport Little League opening day.

 

“I still have the picture in my office,” he said.

 

Baseball wasn’t Groat’s only professional athletic accomplishment.

 

“He played NBA – for the Pistons - before he chose to go with baseball,” Koepka said.  

 

Groat is his mother Mary’s younger brother. For several years after Koepka’s BHS graduation, he was part of Pitt basketball broadcasts. And get this: He’s the one who designed and owned Champion Lakes Golf Club in Pennsylvania – where Bob Koepka first became associated with the game which he would later share with his own boys. One has gone pro. Perhaps the other will also.

 

(Read about Brooks Koepka HERE.) 

 

And here's "The rest of the story" - Part 2: 

 

Today, we ran a feature on Jason Jones, member of the BHS class of 2008. In the story, we learn about his physical struggles and about a couple individuals who stepped in to extend help – or much-needed confidence to persevere. The story also mentions that while working as a cashier at LG Liquor, he often read his bible in between sales. It is, perhaps, written between the lines of the story that Jones’ positive attitude correlates to his Christian faith. What the story doesn’t mention, however, is how that seed was planted and by whom.

 

In Jones’ early days at a local apartment complex, he organized a wintertime walking group – in the complex hallways to avoid the winter weather conditions and falling hazards. So one day, he showed up to walk and finds just one individual – an elderly woman, who proceeds to tell him that she had been to church. Her name was Opal Chronister. 

 

At the time, Jones was – for lack of better word, he said – an atheist. He didn’t have a strong dislike for the idea of a greater being; he just didn’t know anything about Him, nor really have the desire to. So upon hearing the elderly woman talk of church, he blurted out that he was an atheist. Instead of giving him a fight or trying to change his mind on the spot, Opal said, “So let’s walk.” Those three little words made Jones feel accepted, he said. And as he continued to observe Opal’s Christian walk throughout the months to follow, he saw something in her step that he wanted in his heart. After Opal passed away, Jones said he want to Simpson Creek Baptist Church’s Pastor Mike Hopkins and said, “I want to know Opal’s Jesus – because her Jesus is different.”

 

Jones continues his walk and his wave and his Christian witness. When he does share his faith, he follows Opal’s kind, subtle lead. 

 

(Read Jason Jones' story HERE.)

 

Julie Perine can be reached at 304-848-7200, julie@connect-bridgeport.com or follow @JuliePerine on Twitter. 

 

More "It's Happening" HERE.