Day 25 – Football Journey…part 6

I loved playing football, but there was even more satisfaction in seeing my sons play whether at the High School level or in College. I think I mentioned that they both went to James Madison University and played offensive line. Grant is 8 years older than Christopher, so there was a wait in between, but I am so glad they both went to the same school and had great experiences. It didn’t hurt that the school colors were purple and gold just like East Carolina where I went AND JMU’s mascot was the Duke Dog…yes they were the JMU Dukes, how cool is that?

In football, trophies are for the school, but if you are fortunate enough to be on a winning team, you might get an individual ring. We tried hard at Bruton High School in Virginia but never reached the State Championships in football. When you think of all the schools in a league and only two reach the final game AND only one comes out on top…it is a big deal.

In college, both of my boys were fortunate enough to be on JMU teams that won conference championships and at that level they give out rings…so both boys got championship rings while at James Madison. The picture above with the 3 fists is me on top, Christopher to the left and Grant to the right with our rings.

This was before I moved to Colorado and my ring is for being the strength coach for the basketball team that won State at Bruton.

The other picture is my hand with the State Championship rings we have won here in Colorado. To go once to a State Playoff is amazing. To go 6 times in 10 years like we have here at Pine Creek High School in Colorado is beyond words. We won 4 of those titles and the picture is the 4 State Championship rings I received. My Bruton ring is on my thumb.

I’ve been here a little over 10 years and we did a recap of the Decade a few years ago. To be clear, I am only one of 14 or so coaches on staff, so all of this is a credit to our head coach, the other coaches and all the players that gave so much. But the stats are…

4 State 4A Championships

9 Conference Titles

2 State Runner-up Titles

7 Final Four Appearances

113 wins and 18 loses for the decade

Best Public School Record of the Decade

Not to mention, countless kids on to the next level of college football.

I love those rings because it represents excellence and commitment from players who gave everything we asked. Those players, whether they played at the next level or not, know what it takes to be successful, to work hard, to commit to something bigger than yourself…and that’s priceless.

We have shared the sweat, the blood, the tears and the joy of it all with these players and to me there is no bigger “high” than being tested on a Friday night…win or lose. I do love this game, but I love the players and the coaches even more.

Whether you are looking into a kid’s eyes who just got beat and you tell him you are still proud of him or whether you are jumping with joy as they sing the victory song…there is nothing like it.

At this point, I have spent more than half of my life coaching or playing football and I can’t imagine my life without it. I learned much more than I have ever taught, and received much more than I have given out, and I feel very honored and privileged to be a part of this game and a part of the many lives I have touched.