Last night, I got together with a few buddies and we traveled to the UNI-Dome to support our friend, Joe Hadachek and his Union Knights High School Football team in their playoff game. I put on my red fleece and met up with my friends and had no idea what I was about to witness.
Union packed the stands with fans. Parents, Grandparents, siblings, relatives and members from the community all came dressed in red. Those who were not wearing red were wearing some sort of Union Football shirt. The Union boys and coaches were victorious and will play in the State Finals on Saturday, but it was my observations during the game that really warmed my heart.
The Union fans were very inviting. Very kind in making room for this outsider to sit and watch, as well as kind in conversation. During the game they cheered on their boys. They didn't cheer against the other team, hassle the officials or even openly question the coaching done by the Union staff. They encouraged their players and didn't scold them from the stands. They never got down on the boys, yet screamed for them to play hard. They didn't place blame on anyone for the opposing teams' success throughout the game. They were loud...they were proud!
I watched the Union coaches as they would pull individual boys aside and coach them on a play that just occurred. There was no scolding; all teaching. Coaches gave a lot of high fives and helmet slaps for jobs well done opposed to tongue lashings and temper tantrum fits. There was a theme of positivity from the sidelines that was dictated by the coaching staff and it had made it's way into the mentality of the players.
Throughout the game, there was missed tackles and some blown coverages. A few missed blocks here or there and even some penalties, but the players didn't place blame on each other. It was encouraging to see them pick each other up and keep pushing forward.
Finally, after the game was won by Union, the boys stood in respect for the opposing team as they received their trophy. They shook hands with them and then headed to their sideline to celebrate with the Union fans. It was clear that this victory as not just for the team, but for the whole community. The players jumped and celebrated, but not to be out shined by the celebration of the extremely proud coaches.
Before leaving the field, the team huddled close for a prayer. The crowd was silent during this time and a feeling of God's grace overcame the entire Union community. A special moment in the Union community for sure and a special moment for an outsider such as myself to witness.
I had a feeling on my way home from that game that Union Football was more than 1st downs and touchdowns. It was about giving your best. It was about community. It was about pride. It was about love. It was about playing like a champion and living like one too. To the community of Union, you have a special thing going on. Something special that I think most communities would love to have in their possession. I don't believe it came from high school teams being successful this fall; it started long before that. It started with supportive individuals stepping up and mentoring the younger generation on how to get the most out of themselves. Champions are raised by Champions.
Go Knights and Good Luck on Saturday!
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