Last week I attended the Junior Service League Kick-off Supper and Fall-Sports pep rally at Jim Thorpe Stadium. It was great to see all the students recognized for their hard work that goes on in preparation for the upcoming seasons. The crowd was filled with proud parents who are looking forward to cheering on their children. The cool evening really made it feel like football season. When the band finished playing “Shawnee Will Shine Tonight,” my 2-year old daughter yelled “Again, Again.” I felt the same way. I am looking forward to hearing the band play that song all season long.
Remembering my time at Shawnee High School, some of my most vivid memories are the times in games and practice with my teammates and coaches. Like many that participated in high school sports, my friends and I can’t help but reminisce about those years when we get together.
When we think back to summer practices, we all remember it being at least 110 degrees. It is amazing how we can remember the “coach speak” our coaches used to fire us up more clearly than the final score of many games. The memories of coaches pushing you to go farther than you thought you could go and teammates working together and relying on one another. The lessons being taught in high school sports by our coaches stay with us after some others fade.
I love to go out to the games to not only cheer on the Wolves but to remember how much fun I had playing on that field. To me, the best way to spend a crisp fall Friday night is at a high school football game.
I hope the community will come out and support the high school sports teams. Praise them when they succeed and encourage them when they fall behind. Help our coaches teach them sportsmanship no matter who gets the breaks in the game. Take a moment to reminisce and then be a part of the memories created this year.
Editor’s Note: This guest editorial is offered by Joe Ford, a member of The News-Star Guest Editorial Advisory Board. He also is operations manager of Shawnee Milling Co. The views expressed by our guest editorialists and guest columnists are theirs, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the News-Star’s management.
