Despite my natural athletic ability, the rigorous academic and spiritual schedule under which I toiled while at SJU precluded me from playing football. My presence on the team in 1976 would have undoubtedly made unnecessary the late-in-the-game heroics of Jeff Norman and Jim Roeder. Quite possibly, I could have led the 1977 squad to a repeat appearance, as Wabash would have been thumped in the semis, and Widener (who?) would have been monkey-stomped right out of Phenix City. But, alas, I was relegated to spectator status during my eligibilty years, as I was before, and have been since. The timing was usually fortuitous, as I would typically finish helping Father clean the sacristy and readying the alb and the chasuble for weekend services, in time for a stroll across the lawn as the Johnnie Fight Song was being sung.
Not having played on the team, I never had to experience the letdown players feel as they adjust to watching from the stands instead of the field. In fact, it hadn’t really occurred to me that there were dozens of young men experiencing their own mini-depressions each fall until last year at one of the first games. As the tailgate party got underway, I overheard two recent grads/players talking:
“This feels really wierd.”
“Yeah, I’m not sure I’ll be able to sit and watch.”
“Man, it kinda sucks.”
But time heals, and it was heartening to see some of these same guys at the Northwestern game last Saturday, continuing the transition from player to fan. I could not help but notice the varied tailgate crowd, ex-players, parents and grandparents of players, alums & non-alums of all ages, all mingling together, and, of course Mr. Johnnie himself, the avuncular Bob Wicker. Perhaps by the time you read this, you will have received and read The Wickster’s SJU Unofficial Underground Newsletter. With circulation numbers just south of Fr. Don’s Chaplain’s Newsletter, the UUN is a Who’s Who of SJU football happenings.
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We’ll be making the trip to “Eastern Minnie” on Saturday to take in the festivities and the game. Tailgate party details can be found elsewhere on these pages. Hope to see you all there. Meanwhile, I happened to stumble upon a photo of our first 2 opponents of the season:
A cupcake and an eclair
