Letters to the Editor 11-19-2003
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Congrats To Warsaw Tigers
Congrats To Warsaw Tigers
Editor, Times-Union:As the clock ran off the final seconds of the Tigers game at Huntington, my heart pounded and my mind raced back over the years of our son's football. This was the end of Dan's career in the Warsaw football program. He had started in Pee Wee and gone all the way to varsity starter in his senior year.
Dan played in large part because a friend - John Miller - told us, "That boy could play any sport he wants to" when he was just 10 years old and in his first year of Little League. John sent his daughter across town on her bicycle that August with the Pee Wee registration forms for Dan and Jonathan. We hadn't intended to let the boys play football ("too dangerous"). But John persuaded us. The boys loved it.
Through the years of Pee Wee, Dan had great coaches: Ken Perry, Keith Reinholt, Mark Stamper and Randy Reneker. Dan learned a lot, had a lot of fun and made a lot of good friends. They prepared him well for entering the Warsaw program.
Dan's years in the Warsaw program have taught him a lot, too. Dan always held hope of going to state. We didn't make it that far. But we have learned that's not the only metric of success. When it's all said and done, there are other measures of success - memories, friendships and character. On these counts I want to say this year's team was a success. I was proud of the team for their determined effort against Colombia City - especially in honor of David Fribley. I was very proud of this team when they went to Homestead and overcame not only the other team - but the doubters. My memory of those boys walking across that muddy rain-soaked field after the game, stadium lights on their backs, body heat steaming - the victors! - was grand! I was never so proud. And the effort they gave in the second half of the Wawasee game - when in recent years have we seen that kind of comeback effort? Our boys never gave up - to the last seconds of their final game. By God's providence I was only feet away from Adam Suchecki as Dan connected with him on those last two passes. These are memories I will cherish.
Dan - and we - have made friendships because of his participation in the program. Dan's teammates have been an enjoyment to us. Their camaraderie has provided special times off the field as well as on. I will look back on many good times shared with the other parents too - cooking steaks for the team; making posters; washing cars. We have worked for the team(s); we have cheered for the team(s); and we have shed tears for the team(s). We have appreciated all these friendships. For me the saddest part of that evening versus Huntington occurred when I put our youngest son Joey to bed. In his prayer he said, " Lord, please be with Daniel, because he will never get to play with those guys again." My heart sank!
But most of all, this has turned out to be a great part of our son's life. His character has been stretched, challenged, molded. He has grown in character - which will benefit him for the rest of his life. I was blessed beyond words when the father of a boy now in Pee Wee told me his son really admires Dan. That's success!
To all of you young men on Dan's team: Thank you for this season. Win state? No, we didn't get to. But only one team will. Does that mean all the rest are unsuccessful? I say no! You gave us some great times this season - memories for a lifetime. Some of you will undoubtedly go on to play in college. Congratulations. Many of you - for a variety of reasons - will not. I hope you will all look back on this season as a moment in your lives when as a team you reached for the stars - and caught a few! As a parent, I (and I'm sure others) am proud of you!
John Erickson
Warsaw
via e-mail
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- Congrats To Warsaw Tigers
Congrats To Warsaw Tigers
Editor, Times-Union:As the clock ran off the final seconds of the Tigers game at Huntington, my heart pounded and my mind raced back over the years of our son's football. This was the end of Dan's career in the Warsaw football program. He had started in Pee Wee and gone all the way to varsity starter in his senior year.
Dan played in large part because a friend - John Miller - told us, "That boy could play any sport he wants to" when he was just 10 years old and in his first year of Little League. John sent his daughter across town on her bicycle that August with the Pee Wee registration forms for Dan and Jonathan. We hadn't intended to let the boys play football ("too dangerous"). But John persuaded us. The boys loved it.
Through the years of Pee Wee, Dan had great coaches: Ken Perry, Keith Reinholt, Mark Stamper and Randy Reneker. Dan learned a lot, had a lot of fun and made a lot of good friends. They prepared him well for entering the Warsaw program.
Dan's years in the Warsaw program have taught him a lot, too. Dan always held hope of going to state. We didn't make it that far. But we have learned that's not the only metric of success. When it's all said and done, there are other measures of success - memories, friendships and character. On these counts I want to say this year's team was a success. I was proud of the team for their determined effort against Colombia City - especially in honor of David Fribley. I was very proud of this team when they went to Homestead and overcame not only the other team - but the doubters. My memory of those boys walking across that muddy rain-soaked field after the game, stadium lights on their backs, body heat steaming - the victors! - was grand! I was never so proud. And the effort they gave in the second half of the Wawasee game - when in recent years have we seen that kind of comeback effort? Our boys never gave up - to the last seconds of their final game. By God's providence I was only feet away from Adam Suchecki as Dan connected with him on those last two passes. These are memories I will cherish.
Dan - and we - have made friendships because of his participation in the program. Dan's teammates have been an enjoyment to us. Their camaraderie has provided special times off the field as well as on. I will look back on many good times shared with the other parents too - cooking steaks for the team; making posters; washing cars. We have worked for the team(s); we have cheered for the team(s); and we have shed tears for the team(s). We have appreciated all these friendships. For me the saddest part of that evening versus Huntington occurred when I put our youngest son Joey to bed. In his prayer he said, " Lord, please be with Daniel, because he will never get to play with those guys again." My heart sank!
But most of all, this has turned out to be a great part of our son's life. His character has been stretched, challenged, molded. He has grown in character - which will benefit him for the rest of his life. I was blessed beyond words when the father of a boy now in Pee Wee told me his son really admires Dan. That's success!
To all of you young men on Dan's team: Thank you for this season. Win state? No, we didn't get to. But only one team will. Does that mean all the rest are unsuccessful? I say no! You gave us some great times this season - memories for a lifetime. Some of you will undoubtedly go on to play in college. Congratulations. Many of you - for a variety of reasons - will not. I hope you will all look back on this season as a moment in your lives when as a team you reached for the stars - and caught a few! As a parent, I (and I'm sure others) am proud of you!
John Erickson
Warsaw
via e-mail
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