Making the 9th BB team -- third-string bench jockey -- changed my life. I would have been a non-person, another Wisconsin mill rat with no future whining about my misfortune on a barstool. When my son, the erstwhile "Hungry and Firsty," entered high school, I told him to pick a sport. He chose track, had great coaches and excelled. By his senior year, his hamstrings were shot. He ran the 400-meter leg of the Distance Medley Relay at the Penn Relays in Philly. He took the baton in third place, got passed on the backstretch. We feared he was fading. He fought back and handed the baton to the 800-meter teammate still in third place. The guys from Herndon H.S. damned near won the "Championship of America." for high schoolers. When I asked him after the race whether he thought his hammies would give out, he replied, "Gee dad, no way I'd let down my teammates...." Correct answer! I'd never been prouder of our son.
Wow, great story that underlines the importance of learning how to compete! I’m sure that helped shaped him for his future successes. Amazing how these experiences so early in life can shape our attitudes and trajectory. But I’m sure you would have an incredibly successful “mill rat!”
Has to be one of the best high school sports nicknames ever! Coaching these young men the last four years has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Always love it when I hear, "Hey, Coach," when I'm out in public and get the chance to catch up with former players.
Making the 9th BB team -- third-string bench jockey -- changed my life. I would have been a non-person, another Wisconsin mill rat with no future whining about my misfortune on a barstool. When my son, the erstwhile "Hungry and Firsty," entered high school, I told him to pick a sport. He chose track, had great coaches and excelled. By his senior year, his hamstrings were shot. He ran the 400-meter leg of the Distance Medley Relay at the Penn Relays in Philly. He took the baton in third place, got passed on the backstretch. We feared he was fading. He fought back and handed the baton to the 800-meter teammate still in third place. The guys from Herndon H.S. damned near won the "Championship of America." for high schoolers. When I asked him after the race whether he thought his hammies would give out, he replied, "Gee dad, no way I'd let down my teammates...." Correct answer! I'd never been prouder of our son.
Wow, great story that underlines the importance of learning how to compete! I’m sure that helped shaped him for his future successes. Amazing how these experiences so early in life can shape our attitudes and trajectory. But I’m sure you would have an incredibly successful “mill rat!”
Thanks, as always, for reading and commenting!
The "Konkrete Kids" are fortunate to have a "Konkrete Koach"!
Has to be one of the best high school sports nicknames ever! Coaching these young men the last four years has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Always love it when I hear, "Hey, Coach," when I'm out in public and get the chance to catch up with former players.