Warned
of negative 30 degree weather by the Athletic Director of Millard South High
School, I throw my warmest jacket in my carry-on and hop on a quick flight to
Omaha, NE. On my flight, I ask the
person sitting next to me if there are any token Omaha Nebraska foods or
restaurants worthy of my taste buds. He
mentions the Omaha steaks of course and a fast food restaurant called “Runza”
that is only located in the state of Nebraska.
I take note, anxious to check out this unfamiliar state.
I’m
secretly pleased when I discover the Millard South High School’s mascot, being
from New England, myself. At least there
is a Patriot team with an undefeated, champion record! The Millard South Patriots achieved an
unblemished record of 13-0, which hasn’t been accomplished since 1970! This is the school’s second state title, with
the other being in 1995. The Patriots
seized the state championship from Millard West with a final score of 45-17.
Driving
toward the school, I believe I see the building, slightly peering over mounds
of snow that has accumulated on Q Street.
I find their “guest parking”, luckily very close to the entrance and I
scurry on in. I am a bit early for my
meeting time with the AD, so I walk around the school taking pictures of the
overwhelming amounts of trophies, plaques, and metals that Millard South has collected
since the school opened in 1970. I walk
into the gym, where the basketball players had begun to warm up and I formulate
a plan for the ceremony that is to take place during the half time of the
varsity boy’s basketball game at 7:30.
As
I am beginning set up outside the gymnasium, Athletic Director, Nolan Beyers
approaches and gladly welcomes me to the high school. He tells me of the anticipation and
excitement the players have that they are nationally ranked No.
38th according to MaxPreps' Freeman poll.
I tell him we are honored to be at the school and that a Brigadier
General from the Nebraska National Guard will be passing off the prestigious
National Guard National Ranking trophy to coach Andy Means.
The
varsity boy’s basketball game nears and the lobby begins to flood with
students, family, friends, and faculty.
The National Guard Nationally Ranking Trophy display table is ambushed
not only by the former players, but their families as well. I stand aside the table while students take
pictures with the trophy while grabbing commemorative National Guard hats, Tour
of Champions t-shirts, pens, key chains, etc.
Soon enough I am introduced to football coach Andy Means. I congratulate him and begin to tell him how
excited I am to be honoring my first Nebraska team. He smiles and tells me of the excitement his
players have of this renowned honor.
Sooner
than I know, half-time approaches and MaxPreps representative, Sam Ritter as
well as Brigadier General Judd H. Lyons gather to the entrance of the gym ready
to start off the ceremony. The buzzer
loudly goes off, ending the first half and coach Means takes center court,
introducing Sam Ritter. Sam immediately
fires up the crowd while explaining the National Guard nationally ranking
honor. He then passes off the mic to
Brigadier General Judd Lyons. The
General congratulates the team and then elucidates the parallels of showing
community leadership and dedication as a Patriot from Millard South High School
opposed to a National Guardsman for the United States. He then introduces coach Means to pass of the
National Guard Nationally Ranking trophy.
As the General hands it off, the entire team infiltrates the floor wearing
their new "TOC" t-shirts. The
coach along with the players and the rest of the coaching staff proudly hold up
the trophy, making an optimal photo opportunity. The crowd erupts with applause.
I’ve
concluded a few things about Nebraska during my stay: everyone is extremely well mannered and
accommodating. This including the Millard South players and faculty, the gas
station attendant (when I was lost on route 80) to the Omaha locals I had met
on the plane. This behavior I would
definitely notice, being from the Northeast when smiling at a stranger makes
you a mental patient. It was absolutely
my pleasure visiting the Cornhusker State and I wish the Patriots best wishes
in the years to come!