There is no glory in practice, but without practice there is no glory.

There is no glory in practice, but without practice there is no glory.
The class of 2018 is cruising down the home stretch and ready to complete their final lap. Be proud of your glory days as they represent a time in your life that can never be repeated. You are probably in peak physical condition due to the rigors of training along with youthful resilience, and have shared bonding experiences with teammates you have probably known and played alongside since elementary school. When this time comes to an end you may feel an unusual combination of accomplishment and sadness.
Are we really saying farewell to the glory days? You couldn’t forget these experiences and memories if you tried. Rather, it’s a time to say to yourself, Wow, wasn’t that incredible?
To quote football coach, Lou Holtz: The answer to three questions will determine your success or failure:
1 – Can people trust me to do my best?
2 – Am I committed to the task in hand?
3 – Do I care about other people and show it?
If the answers to all three questions are yes, there is no way you can fail.
So, be thankful for the experiences, apply the lessons learned and make sure to find a way to make the future even better than the past.
It takes a little bit of crazy to ride those bulls!
Image captured during the 2017 Gary Rodeo located on the west edge of Gary, South Dakota.
Witnessing the end of something or someone near and dear is always difficult and the demise of the Grant-Deuel High School football field is no different. It’s the end of an era with no possibility of future high school football memories to be made…
It’s not that I’m such a die hard football fan, but I am a fan of community pride. Volunteers from the community and school would show up in droves to work the games in various capacities and, of course, pump up school spirit as cheerleaders and pep band members. Fans would start parking vehicles early in the morning or even the night before a home game just to get their favorite spot. The community would hum with chatter the next day after an exciting game with their own strategy analysis.
High school football was a catalyst for teaching the importance of hard work, perseverance, tolerance and teamwork. You win together, you lose together, and the big one… life isn’t always fair.
So, here’s to the final farewell of Friday night lights and the Grant-Deuel Wildcat football field.
Blessed be the memory…