Cheaper Than Therapy

Just the Way We Roll

   As I watched the scene unfold at Chuck Wolever field last week I tried to take it all in.  From the Nishnabotna fans going crazy to the stunned Falcon faithful.  There were tears from both fans.   My first overwhelming thoughts were that of disappointment, the Falcons had lost a game in which all the so called experts thought they would win.  I felt bad for the seniors who had such high hopes of returning to the state tournament, once again, to end their careers.  I tried hard to find the silver lining in this situation; it would not appear until many days later.

   Last night my wife and I had the pleasure of entertaining our three granddaughters I will have you know that I was voted unanimously “Greatest Grand Pa in the World.”  I was escorted by these three beauties on an Ice Cream Date to DQ.  We all had cones and sat outside, we discussed everything from Hanna Montana, or better known as Hanna Manna Tanna, to what they were going to wear to their cousin’s birthday party today.  No matter how a bad a day your having one sure fire way to bring it back up is to take three little girls on an ice cream date and be voted the “Best Grandpa in the World!”.

   As I moved through last week I had many conversations with friends about the loss in the substate finals.  First off let point out that only sixteen other schools in the entire state even made it THAT far.  Everyone commented on the way that the Nishnabotna fans celebrated, there was nothing wrong with it mind you, it was actually quite refreshing to see the way the fans and players just lived in the moment.  Many Falcon fans commented on the fact that we, don’t celebrate like that.  I have been around long enough to know that we use to celebrate like that.

   A few people commented on the fact that St. Albert use to be considered the “underdog” when we made it to the play offs, not recently though.  The tradition that has been forged throughout the last decade or so is well documented; the teams that have donned the Green and Gold have paid a high price to achieve the status that is given St. Albert now.  With success come some unique challenges though.  Take for instances the fact that the expectations are greater every year.  Some would argue that it is kind of sad that the St. Albert fans don’t go crazy after a sub state win any longer………

   I do not agree with that statement.  The St. Albert fans that I have watched over the years have been nothing short of phenomenal.  Gracious in victory and humble in defeat.  We remember our roots from the winless teams of the seventies to the dominance in football of the new millennium.  We have learned how to win on and off the field.

   I do not think that it is sad that the Fans at St. Albert do not storm the field after a substate or district win, I think it is just the way we roll.   I would caution however that if you think that we are owed anything then you will be sadly disappointed, (Are you listening Senior Class of 2011)?  None of the success that St. Albert has enjoyed has come easily. 

   So when the teams fight hard and win it’s OK to feel good, and if they lose ……well then I will loan three little girls to you that will make you feel like a million bucks, and all you have to do is take them to DQ.

~Owen Burgin~