The many moods of Ben Olson.
Not so very long from now, we’re going to reach a point in time when we’ll start to talk about video stores, and kids will be like, “Huh, what?”
Doesn’t matter that I spent 15 years being well paid to goof off in them, and that they are a key part of my life.
As Netflix, streaming, and downloads, legal and otherwise, eventually erase all memories of Videoville, David’s DVD Den and (gag me) Blockbuster, a new generation will be culturally bereft.
So, it’s a good thing we’ll still have folks like Ben Olson to hold on to a few of those memories.
The young Mr. Olson, who celebrates a birthday today, grew up in those video store aisles before going on to become a basketball and baseball player at Coupeville High School.
Ben and lil’ bro Daniel, now a middle school hoops star, were regular fixtures at both video stores I worked at, and both usually spent more time behind the counter than in front of it.
Which worked out nicely for me.
Need to collect a late fee? Always easier to do with the rock-em-sock-em Olson boys as my backup.
With Daniel on the computer and Ben on the till, I had even less work to do than normal, which, if you know anything about me, was just fine and dandy.
Once the second video store closed, we parted paths for a bit as I headed out to slave away on the prairie.
But when I came back to the world of school sports coverage, there they were, a little older, a lot taller (especially Ben) and still just as outgoing and friendly.
It’s been nice to see them still following the path of success they were already on years earlier.
While injuries have hampered Ben’s ability to dominate the court lately, he’s slid into working as a coach with Daniel’s SWISH basketball team and seems born to the job.
As he celebrates his cake day today, Olson remains one of the best CHS has to offer, a bright, adventurous dude with huge potential.
So happy birthday, Ben.
The video stores may be gone, but it’s always nice to see our alumni, official or unofficial, continuing to light up the world.
Coupeville Sports 