Friday Night Football

I know I have written about Newman's Friday night football before, but last night's events just inspire me to write more. My family and I started our evening off at the Tailgator's party. I knew from the buzz among emailing parents that a lot of little greenies were planning on attending, but I had no idea there would be over 300 people at the pre-game festivities. Kids were playing, parents were socializing, and we all were eating. Our Spirit Store was serving a long line of customers, and kids were running around in their green face paint, just having the best time. Newman parents were serving food, organizing games, and ensuring everyone was happy. By any measure, this event was certainly a success. 

After what seemed already like a full night of food and fun, we realized the reason we were there was to see the football game. I was reminded of the time a bit earlier that day when I saw the football players and coaches having a team dinner in the dining hall. The football moms served up the food, and the players ate, bonded, and talked about the upcoming game. This was going to be a tough one, but there was a strength of unity that I felt in the room, and as I wished the players good luck, my chest filled with pride knowing that these fine young men were representing our School.

My mind was jolted back to the present when my daughter came up to me hugging and screaming- so excited to show me the 25 cent dinosaur she just purchased. Donning her Newman cheerleader outfit, she couldn't be happier to be at her School with her friends and family. She had been waiting for this night all week because she knew she might get to see "real" cheerleaders. We headed over to the field, and the game had already begun. My plans for finding a comfortable seat and relaxing before kickoff were already foiled. Each person we saw on the way in gave us an enthusiastic hello, and spirits high, we moved toward the entrance gate. What happened next is what many of you have experienced so many times that we all might take it for granted. Tonight though, I was overcome with deep appreciation.
 
Getting from the entrance gate to a place to watch the game can take some effort. My daughter wanted to race to see her friends and then a minute later wanted to visit the "cafeteria" (concession stand). My wife begins a potentially game-long conversation with any one of a few hundred of our new friends, and I spend my time fretting, trying to get them to watch the game. I moved to a place in front of the cheerleaders to get a sense of the competition, and I saw immediately that this was going to be a battle. I watched a few possessions with some fellow dads, and we commented on the sophisticated play and just how amazingly athletic many of our players are. I agreed to go with my family into the "cafeteria" to get my daughter the ring pop she has been dreaming about. The concession stand itself is quite an experience. With more products than a Circle K, the Newman Parents stocked this temporary building with all sorts of treats. An army of moms and dads work to provide efficient service with a smile. They seem to be having as much fun as anyone, and my wife commented to me how truly amazing Newman parents are. Their endless dedication and service make our School special. Mission accomplished- ring pop purchased, so back to the game. 
 
The best part of my day is probably when I am getting high fives from all my little (and not so little) greenies. Sometimes I'll get a fist bump, a special "soft high five," or even an elbow bash! So on my way back to the game, I was thrilled to see so many students out having fun, and I felt lucky to get their attention with hellos and high fives. I looked up in the stands to see the student section. My daughter pointed out the "boy with the green face." I expected to see face paint, and I did...and body paint, but what she meant was the boy whose whole face was green, like some mysterious superhero. The group was getting into the game, chanting their friends names out in support and screaming for the Greenies. The band began playing, and my daughter and all her best friends covered their ears and giggled the way five year old girls do when they are having so much fun. I wish I had taken a picture of that moment, but the indelible image in my mind will have to suffice. I watched band director, Brian Dufour lead his marvelous group and thought how lucky he and I are to have our beautiful daughters at our place of work each day. I looked one more time at the giggling girls and then moved back to the fence by the cheerleaders. 

I sometimes ask our cheerleaders if they have any concept of their superstar status among our lower school kids. When they began their cheer tonight, I realized for the first time how strong their voices are. I take for granted their great cheers when I am high in the stands and forget that in order for me to hear them that far away, they need to be belting out the spirit. I love their sailor uniforms with the embroidered names on the back, the smiling sweetness in their faces, and their playful enthusiasm. No wonder my daughter wants to grow up someday to be a Newman cheerleader. 

A couple of last year's seniors walked by and said hi to me and told me how much they were enjoying college. One of them gave a big hug to his former principal, and then they moved to stand next to their former teammates. Odell turned the corner on the next play and ran over half the field for a huge touchdown. The fans went crazy, the band kicked in, the cheerleaders danced, my friends and I high fived, and the alums started sharing stories of their glory days- quietly admitting that they never could turn the corner like Odell just did. They didn't have the professionally turfed field either!

My wife resurfaced, and she and I took a moment to take in the whole scene. It was overwhelming. What a community! What a School! 

The second half didn't go the Greenies' way, but we were all proud nonetheless. I began to leave when a horde of boys scurried past me, and then I realized they were lining up to sprint onto the field the second the game ended. Like my daughter with the cheerleaders and the ring pop, these boys waited all week to get out on that field under the lights like their upper school heroes.  

After a long Friday at work or school, what seems like the entire Newman community descended on the School for a full evening of fun. For so many of us, this is the center of our lives. Tonight was not unique, but it was special. It is good to be a Greenie!