Dear Santa,

I'm one big unhappy kid. This year in sports has had too many downs to feel good about anything.

Santa, you know we cool, right? We go way back, since the Red Wings championship days. You always come through, like that time I asked for the Pistons to go to the championship. But I really need you this time.

I must admit, I have given up on so many teams. I have been disappointed by players and coaches. The sports world needs your help, Santa, and here are my top five Christmas wishes.

Wish one

If I hear his name one more time I promise I'm going to scream. He is one of my favorite players but we should leave him alone. Let Philadelphia Eagle Terrell Owens handle his off-the-field business in private. T.O. is an awesome wide receiver but his mouth dug him a hole that he's trying to get out of.

I think his situation is being overblown. My friends talk about him, ESPN has a story on him every hour and I just can't get away from it.

I would like to see him come back because right now the Eagles are struggling with a 5-6 record. Let's face it: They need him.

He has to pay his dues, but can we just give it a rest already?

Wish two

I wish that the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers stay healthy throughout the season so there can be a good match between them in the playoffs. It seems every time they go against each other in the postseason, somebody gets injured. Jermaine O'Neal injured his knee in 2004 and then last season his shoulder. Ron Artest also was suspended for last year's series.

Seeing Ben Wallace and Ron Artest go at it against each other is worthwhile. So Santa, I need both teams to be healthy so when we do beat them again, I don't have to hear Pacers fans say it was because O'Neal was injured.

Wish three

Some days I love this team and other days I want to throw my Lions apparel away. They have gotten my hopes up so many times this season and now they're not going to the playoffs. They fired Steve Mariucci and now Dick Jauron is the new coach. With the quarterback changes this year and now the new head coach, Santa, I wish that the Lions finish the season on a good note.

If you do that, Santa, I promise I will not get up and leave, but will watch the whole game.

Wish four

Now this leads me to my fourth wish. The MSU men's football team. When the season started, I really thought the Spartans were going to a bowl game.

Now, they're sitting at home watching one on TV.

I know, harsh.

I wish that John L. Smith learns from his mistakes as a coach this season, and is ready to take the MSU football program to another level next year. I have been here for two years and we still haven't gone to a bowl. Santa, I'm losing faith, but if MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon trusts Smith then I'm going to stay with him, too.

Wish five

My last one. The MSU men's hockey team has been struggling and right now they're in a slump. They started the season off undefeated. Wow they are starting to look defeated.

Injuries are keeping them down.

We recently welcomed senior forward David Booth back on the ice and now junior forward Drew Miller is injured. It seems like every time we get someone off the injured list, another person gets added back on.

Santa, I believe this team has what it takes to have a successful season.

But I need you to be the doctor and to keep everyone in shape for the second half of the season.

Whew. I know this is a lot Santa, but I promise to leave out extra cookies.

Yours truly,
Yvette Lanier

Yvette Lanier is the State News hockey reporter. She can be reached at lanieryv@msu.edu.