It’s a few days before Christmas and Santa gave me permission to distribute some of his presents to coaches and administrators in the Catasauqua, Northampton, and Whitehall schools with whom I regularly am in contact.

If I missed anyone, I apologize, and it’s a further sign of my aging process. Also with my move down South, it may take a little longer for the presents to arrive, and they aren’t all in monetary value as we usually expect.

Catasauqua head boys basketball coach Eric Snyder: He also gets an extra dose of patience and as well as reindeer dust dealing with a club struggling with fundamentals. Snyder also gets a future large royalty for his part with me in the upcoming book, “History of Catasauqua Athletics.” He is among a handful – if the person – who are/is the foremost authority of Catasauqua athletics. If I ever need a contact number, Snyder has it.

Catasauqua head baseball coach Steve Bradley: One of the most colorful sports personalities in the Lehigh Valley, Bradley gets a mythical push of determination and endurance to keep his busy schedule intact and stay on the fields and in the classroom a bit longer. He also gets a free chiropractic date to help him deal with some back issues. He is truly one of the area’s good guys.

Catasauqua athletic director Tom Moll: A few extra days off for being one of the busiest in his profession with his regular and district duties. Santa can probably find a respite for him over a long weekend.

Catasauqua head football coach Travis Brett: Another one of Catty’s noblemen, Brett will get some help from Santa to have more bodies on his team next fall to keep building a budding program. Brett also receives some mythical endurance to deservingly remain at the helm of the Roughies’ program for years to come.

Catasauqua head cross country/track coach Kyle Rusnock: Some divine intervention to help him keep his optimistic and motivational approach that has developed the program into a solid one. Santa again will throw in some gas cards for his sons’ hockey travels.

Catasauqua head girls’ soccer coach Kayla Cunningham: Some more invention to keep her enthusiastic and positive outlook about her team and some time to allow her to continue her own career. Santa will work some magic for a much-deserved district berth next year.

Catasauqua head boys’ soccer coach Josh Inman: Another Catty coach who always has an optimistic forecast about his program, and he needs to stay the course like his colleagues. A long-awaited district berth should also be in the offing.

Catasauqua’s field hockey program: A great, new coach and some magic reindeer dust on the team’s sticks to help them produce more offense. Hopefully they are ready to turn the corner.

Catasauqua head softball coach Paige Kogelman: She needs to continue to find more of the magic from her playing days and bottle it for her team, which should continue to move north on the win meter and circle a district berth this coming spring.

Catasauqua head wrestling coach Joe Russo: A solid lineup for the remainder of the season to help place his team among the elite in the Lehigh Valley. Santa and I both appreciate his sense of humor.

Catasauqua head volleyball coach John Cesanek: The proverbial springboard toward another success season as well as many others ahead. A first-year coach this past season, Cesanek’s wealth of experience and generated team cohesiveness led the Roughies to a district playoff berth.

Former Northampton head boys basketball coach Coy Stampone: Many more years of retirement ahead as the grizzled coach is experiencing his first year off the hardwoods. Santa will throw in a new driver to help his golf game.

Current Northampton head boys’ basketball coach Matt Scholl: A big dose of patience and wisdom along with some good fortune for the longtime assistant who gained the position he always desired. Scholl is quietly and successfully reconstructing a program that lost 96 percent of its scoring from last year.

Northampton head girls’ basketball coach Jeff Jacksits: Like his male counterpart, Jacksits is retooling his team after the loss of four pivotal seniors from last year’s team that went 23-8 and to the second round of states. The veteran head coach also gets a basket filled with wisdom and patience.

Northampton head baseball coach Mick Sugra: Year after year, Sugra always has his Kids in the EPC hunt. Santa’s elves are making some bats and gloves, and the man in the red suit will throw in some pixie dust for another magical season ahead.

Northampton head hockey coach Brian Ruff: A new whistle to help him ref games and the fortitude and guidance to bring his team to another Lehigh Valley Scholastic League title.

Northampton athletic director Shaun Murray: A new cellphone for the Kids’ top man, who has helped his program become one of the better all-around ones in the state.

Whitehall head cross country Mike Lelko: Some elf magic and charms for his runners to help increase their times. Also a hearty Santa pat on the back for this good guy’s tireless efforts to keep his team in the EPC hunt.

Whitehall head boys’ basketball coach Jeff Jones: A batch of good tidings and fate for his club that started the season shooting extremely well. Jones is one of the better coaches around who often gets overlooked.

Whitehall head wrestling coach Tim Cunningham: Some reindeer dust for his relatively young club to peak at the right time down the stretch of the season. The Zephyrs have some potential postseason stalwarts, and Cunningham is another tireless worker who should receive more recognition.

Sports writer Keith Groller: A few more stops on our cheesesteak tour that we began a few years ago, and the inspiration to continue his craft in print and on the airwaves. I appreciate our 36-plus year relationship inside and outside the newspaper world.

Lehigh Valley Press editors Scott Pagel and Mike Haines, Times News sports editor Emmett McCall and sports writer Rod Heckman: The gifts of frankincense, myrrh and incense to allow me to continue to make my impact on their newspapers. Also, Santa will throw in a block of pimento cheese and a bag of boiled peanuts. I truly am grateful for our relationships inside and outside the papers.

A final Christmas and holiday wish to all of the coaches and athletes I have spoken with over this past year for their cooperation and patience with me.

Have a blessed and Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2023 on the courts and fields!