The "It Had To Happen!" Story

It was an ordinary day. Talking to Andy on the phone to see when he can drop off the CD with all the Middle School sports teams. I have been contracted to do the Manheim Township Middle School yearbook for the past 12 years. We always put the photos of all the sports teams as well as clubs and activities. Andy takes the photos for the MT Booster Club and told me one year that there is no sense in both of us taking the photo, so he offered to give me all the photos that he takes. How nice is that! I knew he had just finished the fall team photos and had phoned him to ask when I can get them. After making the arrangements he asked if I saw in the newspaper that I no longer have the distinction of being the only coach who had a team that won a State title at the high school. The 2011 Golf Team, coached by Skip Walters, won the state title two weeks ago. Shot a two day total of 622 to best Upper St. Clair by 3 and third place North Pocono by 18. Wow, how could I miss that!! Happened while I was away on vacation I found out. I had canceled the newspaper so I was clueless when he mentioned it to me. My high school rifle team that I coached at Manheim Township had won the 1972 State Championship by defeating Churchill and Pocono Mountain at Penn State University after going undefeated in league and regional competition. It was the first team to ever win a state title for the school and until two weeks ago, the ONLY ONE. Manheim Township is rich in athletic ability and has had numerous individual champions such as professional golfer Jim Furyk. Many teams came close, but never ever won the big one. Hanging in our gym are banners listing all the individual champs on several banners, but the only team listed on the State Championship banner is the Rifle Team. Guess that is going to change. I often thought I would never see someone match my team, but I guess I knew that had to happen sooner or later. Baseball, Lacrosse, and Soccer teams made it to the state finals, but all lost. Got on the phone and called Skip to congratulate him. He told me he heard that his team was only the second in the history of the school to win a title. I asked him if he knew who the other team was. Told me the rifle team, but that was four years before he started teaching at the high school. Told him I had coached that team. Silence!! Finally he spoke again and congratulated me. He had no idea. I told him we need to get together sometime for a photo. Wished him good luck next year and hung up. A few hours later Andy called me again and said I needed to be at the school tomorrow at 3:00 PM for a photo with Skip. School wanted it for some reason. Had to get the trophy out of the show case so we both could hold our trophies. Wow, reliving an event that happened just about 40 years ago is awesome. Oh, the memories!! ALMOST makes me feel young again. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - top photo shows Skip and me while the bottom shows my 1972 State Champion Rifle Team.