Troy's Football Banquet

Troy's end of the season banquet was bitter sweet. It was great that it was over because being VP of the parent association was SO much work (more than I bargained for, as so few parents really want to be involved at all, making a large burden on a few). However, the team experience had been such a great one for Troy, that it was sad that it had come to an end. Spring training started last April...Summer conditioning then ran into the Fall season...and now it's over.



The banquet was first class! Sue did such a great job with all the details.



The players all sat together...



And the parents and family members filled in the rest. Being on the board had its privileges. Like assigning some of our favorite people to sit at our table. =^) Like the Beasleys.



OK, these two are kind of obligated to sit with us.



But we got to choose the Andrews, too.











Then it was time for the awarding of the letters. Coach Bales said a little something nice about each of the boys.



When he started talking about Troy, I snapped some pics, but it didn't occur to me to take video right away. He was telling the story of last Spring when he was Troy's history teacher, and he asked Troy if he was going to go out for football. He said that Troy looked at him like he was insane. (Little did he know, Troy's friends were also trying to convince him to join Spring training.) Then the Coach put out forms on the desk and told the class if anyone was interested they could take a form. After class Troy approached his desk and that's the part where it occurs to me to press "record". Here's the rest:




I am so grateful to this coach and to Troy's friends for encouraging him. He sure came a long way from that first day of practice, when after 10 minutes, he said, "I don't think I can do this." The coach believed in him and said, "Just keep putting one foot in front of the other." I'm so proud of Troy for doing just that. For never missing a practice. For always having his uniform ready. For hitting the gym for 2 1/2 hours every single weekday over the Summer. For never giving up. For trying his best to "be mean" even though it is not in his nature.



Then the coaches surprised the board members with a little gift. A Macaroni Grill gift card and these cute little football chocolates. (This is Denise, me, and Melanie...you can just barely see Jim's hand on the right. Sorry Jim.)



The boys listen intently to the program.



Then it's over and the real fun begins...sucking down the helium.



LOTS of group pics...there was love in the air.



These guys are crazy!



This was SO funny...Lofty (above) has the deepest voice I have ever heard in a kid....an ADULT, even! The helium had NO effect on his voice. These guys were dying laughing over that.



More group pics...



These are Troy's main buds...the ones who encouraged him to join. Lofty (Left) also worked out with him every day this Summer. Corbin (in the tie) is another Chaplain's kid...and then Clay (to Troy's right) moved in this Summer and his dad is also a Chaplain. Pretty cool, huh?



Corbin is a Jr., and the personalized jerseys are Sr. gifts. Poor Corbin. Next year, sweetie.



Congratulations, Troy...we love you!