By Scott Mansch, Tribune Sports Writer
September 25, 2014
Jim Keough owns a hockey team and formerly was the general manager of the professional baseball club in our town.
His football background?
“Well, I was a very poor football player,” he said with a chuckle. “I played at East Junior High in middle school and that was the end of my football days.”
No it’s not. Today Jim is back in the game as the Guest Guesser for our award-winning We Pick The Winner contest.
OK, so it’s not award-winning. But what the heck. A contest is a contest and Jim knows better than anyone about games in our town. The former professional baseball player graduated from Great Falls High in 1973 and has dedicated much of his life to the Electric City’s sports fans.
To be sure, our hockey community is better off since Jim resurrected the Americans a few years ago. The team, coached by Jeff Heimel, opens its home season tonight at 7:30 at the IcePlex.
Trust us, if we’d had the Americans on the slate this week everybody would be picking them to win. The Great Falls club finished 39-13-3 last winter and, Keough said, is far from satisfied.
But back to football.
We’ve known Jim a few years and it seems he was once a Packer or a Steeler fan. No longer.
“I follow the Seahawks now because Quin (his son) and his family live out there,” Jim said. “Matter of fact, they just bought a puppy and its name is Wilson Cano. So they’ve got the Mariners and Seahawks in there.”
Jim’s taking the hometown Bison and Rustlers tonight, as well as the Bobcats and Grizzlies. A few of his picks in the college and pro ranks appear a little curious, and we’re talking about the lucky Chicago Bears and luckless Michigan Wolverines. But who knows?
Speaking of lucky, last week’s Guest Guesser – Jesse Geleynse – won the week with a solid 12-6 showing. Mark D. Robertson, who is new to the panel but apparently has vast experience when it comes to picking football winners, is the contest’s overall leader at 38-16.
Story Courtesy: Great Falls Tribune: Americans owner Keough joins this week’s WPTW Panel (September 25, 2014)