Strange names

Southern Miss' former softball coach was Gay McNutt.

Also came across a trackster from Kansas State named Ifeanyichukwu Otuonye. Saw his name and thought I was looking at an eye chart.

 

In my corner of the world in which a 'minority' was significantly more likely to be Native than Black, the arrival of a burly brother named Chuck Knuckles a few years ago didn't go unnoticed, though he was much more effective in the much-whiter world of the shot put than as a basketball player.

 

Last month at my son's college graduation, you get the pleasure of hearing some 3,000 names called. Most are called out by their formal first, middle, last name that's on their official record.

And I may not have the right last name right below, but I sure did get a chuckle out of the first and middle:

Race Bannon Smith.

The Johnny Quest lovin' parents certainly had to be proud of their graduate.

 

Another great one from the world of track and field -- USC sprinter Just'N Thymes.

Just'N Thymes Bio - University of Southern California Official Athletic Site

 

I didn't encounter her on the beat, but I met a woman named Gypsy-Storm Spirit (had a regular last name akin to Smith) the other day.

 

Good lord.

 

Areal Gentle Mann

 

Chinese-American citizen where I live: Win Every Day.

 

My favorite Chinese name ever is still the catcher for China's Olympic baseball team several cycles ago: Wang Wei. That's pronounced "Wong Way."

My second favorite was a guy whose name I saw in the phone book when I was a kid: Fu Ling Yu.

 

Long lost cousin of Heywood Jablome?

 

Wu's on first?

 

Met a colleague from another post. She introduced me to her family. Her daughter is Zane, and her husband's name is J.