– Coach E

'Twas the night before Santa, 
when all through the school
Not a tiger was roaring, 
no jumping jacks too;
The ornaments hung 
by the tinsel with care, 
In hopes that Professor 
soon would be there;
The tigers at home 
snug in their beds,
While visions of triangles 
danced in their heads;
and mamma in her 'kerchief,
and pop in his cap,
Had just settled their brains
for a cold Colorado nap,
When up above the mats 
there arose such a clatter, 
ADT called Peter's phone
to ask what's the matter.  
Away in his Audi 
he flew like a flash,
Tore open the academy 
and checked out the mats.
When, what to his wondering 
eyes should appear,
But the legends of Gracie 
and Maeda all there,
With what looked so real, 
so lively and quick,
Professor knew in a moment 
it couldn't be it.
Then they spoke and asked Peter, 
"do you want to roll? 
"of course," he stuttered, 
cold from the snow.
They taught bjj secrets, 
from long, long ago,
and mentioned, 
"please share these 
with all that you know."
With quickness and hurry, 
they scattered about,
in a flash, there was no one 
except for his doubt.
Had he really seen Gracie's 
and those from the past, 
or was it all just a dream 
that had came like a flash. 
Arriving back home, 
parking his sled.  
Climbing the stairs 
to get back into bed.
He turned off the candle, 
exclaiming goodnight, 
thinking no one will believe, 
what happened this night.
When all of a sudden, 
he sprung to his feet.
"I believe in black belts," 
he was singing with glee,
Every Tiger can do it, 
if they also believe. 
Then up to his rooftop 
he climbed in the storm
to scream to the Tigers, 
that this world is yours.
Happy holidays to all, 
to all a good night.
I'm always your Professor, 
you heard me just right,
Even after I tie a black belt 
around your waist tight.

Happy Holidays Everyone -