The view from the chain gang
I know what you're thinking and no, I wasn't on the side of the road working with a bunch of other guys, chained at the ankle. I was, however, chained to a guy 10 yards down the field.
That's right, we work the sideline of the Wellington High School football game manning the down and distance markers. What a great new experience.
These times on the sideline bring back some memories ... really good ones. I remember high school football and the promise it brought each fall. Yes, my high school days in Indiana, PA, just northeast of Pittsburgh, were great.
The leaves started to change colors, there was a cool nip in the air that brought out some amazing sweaters! And, the ski season was just around the corner.
There were some other memories, too: that crush I had on one of those really cute cheerleaders, the players dressed in a shirt and tie (yes, in school) wearing their varsity jackets, the pep rally on Friday afternoon, trying to find a parking place at the school Friday night and the sheer joy of the game and the experience.
It really didn't matter if we won or lost. Afterwards, we just went and hung out at McDonald's. In our cars that we thought were oh so cool. Of course, we spent almost every cent we made on those cars.
It was a right of passage, these high school football nights.
So when was the last time you went to a high school football game?
The reason I ask is because looking at the stands I can see they are only about one-third full. Yep, just one-third full. So, just who are these folks? Looking around I see the team, cheerleaders, the band, dancers and the majorettes. Must be their parents.
Where's the rest of the community?
I looked up "community" on dictionary.com and it spelled it out: "a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage."
Since its our community, we share a responsibiltiy to build it and keep it going. It really doesn't matter which high school we support, we just need to go out and support these young people and cheer them on. They really give their all out there, whether they play, cheer, march, dance or twirl. We need to help them build memories as wonderful as ours.
Come out this weekend, its homecoming and, oh, those memories I have! Should be a great time.
I'll see you there. I'll be on the sideline wearing a funny looking vest and holding up a stick with a big circle on the top. Chained to a guy 10 yards downfield. That would be Scott. In the middle are Tom and Mark. Volunteers all ... Thanks guys!
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