My Turnpike Notebook

Caring Is Cool

A Story About Ryan Terefenko 3.18.22 The game of lacrosse has introduced me to some incredible people. One of them is Ryan Terefenko, aka Terry. Terry was a teammate of mine for two years in college, and then I had the privilege of being one of his coaches in his fifth year at Ohio State.…
Song From a Wheelchair

3.14.22 Last Sunday I walked into church feeling a little beat down – just tired and a little frustrated. Nothing major happened – just had a handful of little things build up throughout the week. Something that didn’t break my way, something from work, something with a relationship, something hanging over my head on my…
A Listener Like Mom

2.16.22 I love my mom. Most days after work, as I make the short walk across Wells Street from my office to the parking garage, I put in my air pods and politely ask Siri to “Call Mom”. One of the reasons I love talking with my mom is because she’s such a great listener.…
Becoming Bo

1.26.21 I’ve always been very observant of what makes the heroes and role modes in my life the way they are. How do they act? What do they say? What do they wear? What makes them, well… them? I have been so blessed in my life with many amazing role models and people to look…
Of Course

12.23.25 I’ve heard it said, “The most common phrase in heaven will be ‘of course’. In heaven, every question we’ve ever asked and every doubt we’ve ever had will be given a perfect answer.” I think God likes to give us little “of course” moments on this side of eternity as a little glimpse into…
Loud and Quiet Love

10.6.25 There is something about having your two younger sisters grow up to become best friends that makes you proud. Two months ago, my sister Macy gave the Maid of Honor speech at Annie’s wedding. Listening to Macy share her heart for Annie and her husband, Andrew, made me very emotional. And as I scanned…
The Joy of The Lord

5.3.25 I never fully understood what the verse in the book of Nehemiah means where he writes, “for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Coaches and athletes use it frequently in the Christian sports world. I understand the phrase generally, but didn’t grasp the power behind it until one morning a short while…
Men of Character

2.16.25 I want to share a letter I wrote to the Marquette Lacrosse offense (The Birds), right before our month-long winter break, in my final season coaching. The letter was sent to the players, but I think I wrote it for me. I re-read the letter last week as a reminder because I think it…
One Word for 2025

1.17.25 One of the things I most look forward to about heaven is peace. Can you imagine what it would be like to have true peace? Peace from the voices in your head. Peace to sleep long and deep at night. To be completely content. So often my head hits the pillow lacking such peace,…
He Called Me His Son

12.5.24 There are few TV characters cooler than Rip Wheeler. Rip serves as John Dutton’s lead wrangler in the show Yellowstone. Growing up, Rip had an abusive father who killed his mother. As a boy, he was brought to the Yellowstone Ranch, by owner John Dutton, to avoid the foster care system. His whole life…
Jesus Won

10.12.24 I don’t like talking when I’m at the gym. I don’t think I’ve had a single conversation in months while working out. I turn on the noise cancelling feature of my headphones, blast the music, and tune out the world. Last week I was interrupted when a guy who seemed about my age approached…
Light My Path

9.10.24 Hoboken, NJ has been my new home for almost two months now. Hoboken sits across the Hudson River from New York City. I’ve spent most of my life in Ohio and the last three years in Wisconsin, so Manhattan and the Tri-State area has been a serious change of pace. I have been forced…
Spotify Wrapped and The Gates of Heaven

8.1.2024 I love music. I think music has the incredible capacity to take any black and white moment and bring it into color. A cup of coffee in the morning, the gym, a car ride, a summer night on the back deck, ect. I use the music streaming platform Spotify (anyone who says Apple Music…
What Are We?

5.23.24 For either our fifth or sixth date, we met by lake Michigan to go for a walk. After our walk, we arrived back where our cars were parked; suddenly she turns to me and asks, “So Bo, what are we?” To say my brain short circuited would be an understatement. The question completely caught…