JCHS A.D. says thanks for help during tourney (04/06/06)

To the editor:

Wow.

Who would have thought that a tournament run like our Patriots just completed would have stirred and united a community as much as this has? I could not be more proud of our team, coaches, student body and school, and community. There are so many to thank for all the help during the last weeks that I hope that I forget no one. The team concept modeled by our basketball program apparently was contagious and “caught” by a large segment of our school family and community.

Thanks to the Dunkirk Kiwanis, Portland Morning, Portland Evening, West Jay, and Redkey Optimists and the Portland Chamber of Commerce for their cash donations to help us defray costs toward feeding the team and cheerleaders during the various tournament stops.

We were fortunate enough to have an anonymous donor who graciously paid our room expense for the semi-state as well as the state tournament. Another group got together and felt that the team should have a charter bus for the state trip and arranged and paid those expenses. Kessler’s Sport Shop (Kirk and Chris Comer) and Rob and Susan Moser provided the crowd with rally towels for the semi-state and pom-poms for the state finals.

Kessler’s donated T-shirts to the boys from each tournament won at no cost. Susan Moser and Chris screened shirts all night so that the students would have them by Wednesday before the state finals.

Joni Penrod went above and beyond in keeping us all organized and doing all the extras that a tournament run brings. Todd Penrod, Jeannie Habegger, Jane Ann Thompson, Linda Gray, Jenny Schwieterman, Rita Bollenbacher, Tammy Overton, and Jeanette Hoffman were tremendous help with ticket and T-shirt sales during those hectic days.

Kay LeMaster volunteered to ride and supervise the fan buses, making them a possibility. Mark and Teresa Myers drove the equipment van at no cost to us. Judy Schoenlein, Janet Dunmoyer and Barb Stultz volunteered as fan bus drivers to the semi-state and state.

Ron Krieg, Phil Laux, John Petro, and Mitch Sutton also provided much appreciated and needed assistance during that time.

Jack James and Bearcreek Farms catered a meal at the high school for all players and their parents on Thursday between practice and the pep session. This was not only great food, but also great timing as we were on a tight schedule that evening. Sugar and Slice sent cookies to the athletic office to be distributed to the boys, and Circle K provided drinks for an after practice meeting.

Thanks are also due to our fans for their long, patient waiting in line, as well as their support, especially at Lafayette and Conseco. It was truly awesome to look up into the stands and see the “sea of blue” throughout the stands. We received many positive comments in regard to both the enthusiasm and positive behavior of our student crowd.

Mike Shannon helped arrange, with the assistance of the Ridgeville (Jim Tharp), Dunkirk (Steve Fields), Redkey (Randy Young) and Portland (Mike Thomas) fire departments, fireworks on the route home Saturday night. Pennville Fire Department (John Corwin and Craig Miller) also provided assistance. Mitch Sutton and Todd Penrod were also involved in the escort.

Mrs. Barbara Downing and the board provided constant support throughout the tournament run, including the corporation-wide pep assembly. This was a great experience for all our kids and could not have taken place without the help of many bus drivers and Teresa Myers.

Giles Laux took some great pictures on short notice for the state program. Rob Weaver, in addition to game coverage, provided broadcasts of pep sessions so that our fans that could not attend could still be a part of things, and rebroadcasts so the fans could hear again the great games the Patriots played.

Bryan Alexander helped behind the scenes and was able to arrange practice time for the team in “the barn” — Hinkle Fieldhouse at Butler University. Mindy Weaver, her staff and cheerleading team provided great support and enthusiasm throughout the run and are to be commended for their efforts toward the team victory.

A huge thank you goes to Ray Cooney and The Commercial Review for providing such outstanding coverage. Ray was imbedded with the team during Friday and Saturday of the state finals and as a result was able to take some great pictures. For weeks leading up to the game and for days afterward, The Commercial Review was more like The Patriot Press. What great pictures and stories he provided. Ray Cooney is “as good as it gets” and we are fortunate to have him to cover our events with the depth and professionalism that he exhibits. He has a great passion and knowledge of high school sports, and Jay County is the beneficiary of those qualities.

Hats off to Coach Craig Teagle and his staff for developing a great program. In the face of the inevitable criticism of a basketball coach, they continue to follow their beliefs in program development and we have all been rewarded.

This is a man who studies and prepares his team like no head coach I have ever been around. Craig Teagle is truly the “complete package” that all schools are seeking, and is complimented by a diverse and capable staff.

Last, but certainly not least, a huge thank you to our team. They have shown what true, unselfish teamwork can accomplish. They have allowed all of us to live a dream Spring. They have demonstrated mental toughness, a strong work ethic and a will to win that we have all learned to admire during the last five weeks. None of us who have been a part of this great experience will ever forget what a thrill this has been for an entire community.

Hoosier Hysteria is alive and well in Jay County.

Sincerely,

Phillip Ford

Assistant principal/athletic director

Jay County High School[[In-content Ad]]