A few days ago, I sent a text to Santa Claus (got his number from a friend at North Pole who once was my connection at Yocco’s), and asked him to arrange some gifts for coaches at Catasauqua, Northampton, and Whitehall.

In the true spirit of giving, here are some holiday offerings for those who have toiled away on the fields, mats, and hardwoods over the past season.

Catasauqua athletic director Tom Moll: A new iPad to keep him abreast of what’s going on during his busy schedules with the school and with the district.

Catasauqua baseball coach Steve Bradley: Some new equipment to help him continue to manicure the field. He’s also get a new camera for his Friday night football filming.

Catasauqua boys’ basketball coach Eric Snyder: Some reindeer dust and a couple of cups of Santa’s special brew to help his team regain the magic they captured last year on their way to a district championship. Santa will throw in some paint to have the floor named in his honor for his long, successful run.

Catasauqua boys’ soccer coach Josh Inman: A long-awaited district berth that he and his team have been working toward.

Catasauqua girls’ soccer coach Dave Harth: He also deserves a district berth for all of his work in the trenches.

Catasauqua football coach Joe Henrich: Some patience power from Santa’s secret mix to help stay on his course to elevate the program. We’ll throw in a gift card to Catty Corner.

Catasauqua girls’ basketball coach Tara Belfield: Her rights to the book titled, “How To Win With A Young Team.” Belfield took her young team to the district playoffs last year. We’ll add a Chiefs’ jersey.

Catasauqua cross country coach Kyle Rusnock: to keep his ever-positive approach and attitude. We’ll throw in a gas card from Rusnock’s trips to his sons’ hockey games.

Catasauqua field hockey coach Amanda Freiler: Like her colleague Kyle Rusnock, Freiler will receive Santa’s special mix of fortitude and optimism. She also gets a Chiefs’ jersey.

Catasauqua softball coach Erika Proctor: A better sense of familiarity with the program she took over last year, and a copy of Belfield’s book.

Catasauqua boys’ wrestling coach Jon Reed and girls’ wrestling coach Mike Rusnock: We hope Santa has more of the above mix for both upbeat coaches. They’ll also both get a Catty Corner gift card.

Northampton boys basketball coach Matt Scholl: The latest basketball computing app and an app of his choice. Scholl does a great job at keeping his stats updated.

Retired Northampton boys basketball coach Coy Stampone: A gift card to Detzi’s tavern, and I’ll meet him there.

Northampton baseball coach Mick Sugra: Two tickets to a Phillies game for one of the hardest working coaches around.

Northampton football coach John Toman: An encased Black and Orange football commemorating his 150th win with the Konkrete Kids.

Northampton girls’ basketball coach Jeff Jacksits: A new Vikings’ jersey for the diehard fan.

Northampton assistant football coach Kevin Ronalds: A trip to Sal’s in Wind Gap, and Santa and I will pick up the check.

Northampton hockey coach Brian Ruff: The keys to a new hockey rink in the Lehigh Valley.

Whitehall baseball coach Eric Schmitt: A pair sunglasses and a lawn chair for a trip to Florida that I thought he made last year.

Whitehall boys’ basketball coach Jeff Jones: A Wawa gift card for all the hoagies he bought me.

Whitehall cross country head coach Brandon Hampton: A new phone charger for help keep his timely and informative results to the paper.

Retired Whitehall cross country coach Mike Lelko: A pair of running sneakers to keep his step count high.

Whitehall football coach Andy Marino: Replicas of his 2023 and 2025 district championship trophies for his home.

Whitehall wrestling coach Tim Cunningham: A Lazy Boy recliner for him to relax from his double-duty work overseeing both the boys’ and girls’ programs.

Northampton athletic director Matt Frailey and Whitehall athletic director Jeff Pukszyn; A gift card to Yocco’s in Northampton and one to the Wawa in Whitehall for a meeting with me.

Sports editor Scott Pagel: A gift card to Potts’ in Bethlehem to have our long-awaited meeting.

Sports Writer Katie McDonald: A generous gas gift card for all of her travels across the Lehigh Valley.

Morning Call sports writer Keith Groller: A trip to Sewards with Snyder.

Times News editor Marta Gouger: A new cellphone of her choice for all her unbridled ambition to keep the newspapers as a great outlet for local news

Santa told me that he may be a little late with some of these deliveries due to his busy schedule, and to let me know when you get them.

Once again, it has been a pleasure working another year with all of these wonderful people.

As for all of you, I truly thank you for your support and always appreciate your responses.

May you have a blessed and Merry Christmas!