I have witnessed many great wins over the years. I've seen Homewood win state championships. I've seen Auburn knock off #1 Florida in the pouring rain, and I've seen them win an SEC championship. But none of these wins meant as much to me personally as the one that occurred tonight. (Don't disown me.)
Bryant High School boasted the longest losing streak in Alabama High School Athletics. 30. As silly as it seems it has had a profoundly negative effect on our school. School spirit counts when you are fighting for everything you can get. I've been praying for a win for three years. I knew it would start to turn things around and give these kids something to rally around and be proud of.
In an earlier post I mentioned how things have been looking up at B High this year. Spirit abounds. Pep rallies are loud and spirited. At today's I was standing close to my freshmen enjoying their enthusiasm when the football coach (who is in his second year and responsible for some of the change in attitude around campus) walked over to me and said, "Look at them. This is the class who is going to change our whole school." It gave me chills. I really wanted a win to reinforce and multiply this excitement. Especially against Central. The school Bryant broke away from six years ago.
Tonight I was feeling under the weather. Sore throat, sinus infection. And the thought of chasing Noah around the stadium just made me tired. So I stayed home in the front yard with B and Ms. Jennifer. After Noah went down I turned on the radio to see how things were going.
It was half time and it was zero to zero. Hmm... tonight might be the night. I sat on the couch with the laptop and began to pray. The game ended at 13-13 and went to overtime. I began to cry. (I know. I am an emotional person. )
Central went first. Bryant managed to hold them. Tears are really flowing now. My boys are playing their hearts out. The names being mentioned on the radio are all boys I have taught some of them more than once. They never gave up, they never let the taunts of their classmates convince them to give up and quit the losing team.
Central lines up for a field goal.
IT IS BLOCKED.
I am ringing my hands. Pleading. Because I know God loves those boys more than I do.
We scored. And I am sobbing. Sobbing. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! On the radio I hear the screams and the kids rushed the field. And I wish I was there to share in their joy.
Bryant High School boasted the longest losing streak in Alabama High School Athletics. 30. As silly as it seems it has had a profoundly negative effect on our school. School spirit counts when you are fighting for everything you can get. I've been praying for a win for three years. I knew it would start to turn things around and give these kids something to rally around and be proud of.
In an earlier post I mentioned how things have been looking up at B High this year. Spirit abounds. Pep rallies are loud and spirited. At today's I was standing close to my freshmen enjoying their enthusiasm when the football coach (who is in his second year and responsible for some of the change in attitude around campus) walked over to me and said, "Look at them. This is the class who is going to change our whole school." It gave me chills. I really wanted a win to reinforce and multiply this excitement. Especially against Central. The school Bryant broke away from six years ago.
Tonight I was feeling under the weather. Sore throat, sinus infection. And the thought of chasing Noah around the stadium just made me tired. So I stayed home in the front yard with B and Ms. Jennifer. After Noah went down I turned on the radio to see how things were going.
It was half time and it was zero to zero. Hmm... tonight might be the night. I sat on the couch with the laptop and began to pray. The game ended at 13-13 and went to overtime. I began to cry. (I know. I am an emotional person. )
Central went first. Bryant managed to hold them. Tears are really flowing now. My boys are playing their hearts out. The names being mentioned on the radio are all boys I have taught some of them more than once. They never gave up, they never let the taunts of their classmates convince them to give up and quit the losing team.
Central lines up for a field goal.
IT IS BLOCKED.
I am ringing my hands. Pleading. Because I know God loves those boys more than I do.
We scored. And I am sobbing. Sobbing. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! On the radio I hear the screams and the kids rushed the field. And I wish I was there to share in their joy.
Sweet Sweet Victory
This was more than an end to a losing streak. This was about persevering through dry times.
Coach Moore and his wife.
It was about character. It was about having something to be proud of. About holding our heads up. About changing climate at our school. About doing more than surviving until summer but enjoying the year. 
One of our Senior quartebacks celenrating a win that was a long time coming.
I am thrilled. But now I need cucumbers and cold spoons for all the crying! Happy happy happy tears!!!
These pictures are from the Tuscaloosa News. http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20090926/NEWS/909269996/1004/SPORTS?Title=Bryant-ends-state-s-longest-losing-streak
4 comments:
how wonderful! how lucky your students are to have such a loving teacher who cheers them on through it all!
Carrie! That is such great news! I was on the edge of my seat reading your post waiting to see what happened!! I bet next week will be an awesome week at school.
Pass the chilled spoons and cucumbers!!! I cried & cried...as much for you as for the kids.....HOPE will prevail!
I am about to cry just reading your post. I TOTALLY know what you mean about school spirit and sometimes a WIN is the BEST thing for a student body! I am SO THRILLED for your football team, students, and teachers!!
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