Born and raised in Gahanna, my dreams as a little kid didn’t go much further than sporting the blue and gold uniforms of the Gahanna Lincoln Golden Lions. With my parents both teaching and coaching at the high school, I built those dreams while taking in football and basketball games at a very young age. From basketball camps, to being the ball-boy for both varsity teams, the desire to play for those teams only grew the closer I got to high school. Hours upon hours were spent on my driveway shooting the basketball while imagining myself hitting game-winner after game-winner as the imaginary Lions moved along in the tournament.
Flash forward to last night. As I sat in section 15 of the Fairgrounds Coliseum, watching the Gahanna boys defeat the number one team in the country in the regional final game, I found myself on the edge of my seat, pumping my fist, and standing to cheer with every big play. It was a very weird feeling. One could say that I didn’t have a whole lot invested in this team. I didn’t go to school with, or work out with any of the players, I didn’t play for, or coach with any of the coaches, and I have been away from the school since graduation in 2002. However, I felt totally invested in the team, as did the other 3500+ Gahanna fans that turned the Coliseum into a virtual home game for the Lions.
Here I am 8 years removed from high school and I can still feel a sense of pride in the program that I put so many hours of my time into. When you work hard for something that you care so much about, the feeling of investment into that product is very rewarding.
I feel sorry for people who have a bad feeling towards their high school days and/or a certain period of their life. Blaming a coach or teacher or whomever else for not giving you the chance, or for screwing you over, seems like a cop-out for “I didn’t invest myself enough” into what I wanted to be a part of. I hope you are able to find something in your life that you do work hard towards, so you can be proud of whatever it is that you may accomplish.
High school sports certainly aren’t everything. But, having that link to my past is something I am very proud of and the experiences I have gained and can still gain from it, are invaluable. Congratulations to the Gahanna boys team, and Go Lions!
Until next time,
agreed that people with a bad high school experience is simply disheartening. Look at you....you're a townie. Guy who moves home, goes to the high school games, wears his letter jacket, you might as well live in Tiffin with the rest of the "grodes" or whatever you berg kids called them. You're a Gahanna Grode.
ReplyDeletewell said...and you did make a mark, Mo Train.
ReplyDeleteIt's refreshing to see former students who appreciated their time at GLHS. I know how hard you worked at the game, so this blog coming from you is especially meaningful. I too pumped the fist and yelled A LOT and am excited to see a bunch of kids who have put in the time see the reward. I'm also excited to see that someone from a previous era, though not reaching a regional championship, is still a champion in the real world ... you too make us proud!
ReplyDelete