What does REITZ FOOTBALL mean to me?

From Larry Ellington, Class of 1973: Let me rephrase the question. What did and what does REITZ FOOTBALL do to me?

Being a part of a group of people that dedicate their time and efforts to play a game sounds so trivial, but yet it means so much to me that it is hard to put into words. I'm not the most eloquent person in the world, I don't have the ability to put my thoughts into words that paint a clearly defined picture like most writers can. But I will try.

It all started during my 8th grade year. I wanted to play Cub football for Reitz but because I wasn't very big and the fact that I had had Polio as a child, my mother wouldn't let me. After a year of pestering her she finally relented and said that she would leave the decision up to my Doctor. I had to get a pair of shoulder pads and put them on in front of my doctor and have him explain and show to my mom that it would provide adequate protection for my chest before she agreed to let me play. It would be my Freshman year of high school before I could participate.

The weeks and months that led up to the beginning of practice dragged by so slowly. I thought the day for the first practice would never arrive. Finally, finally, the first day for football practice and the new season was here and I was ready. All of the years of listening to my aunts and uncles talk about Reitz football and all of the great plays and the great games that were played in the BOWL was about to pay off for me . It was MY time to get to play.

Well, my freshman year wasn't exactly memorable and I wasn't the hot shot player that I thought that I was. I had gotten to play enough to earn my letter and I was proud of that. I had gotten to continue the tradition of my relatives of playing Football at Reitz and of that I was more proud. To be able to be a part of that legacy that has been passed along from generation to generation is something to be proud of to be sure. Well my season ended and I moved on to Wrestling. I wasn't strong enough to make the team so I was asked to become a Student Manager and I agreed to. That decision was to be the life changing event for my life. I went on to earn 3 Reserve letters and 6 Varsity letters in three sports as a Student Manager as well as participating in the Spring musical and Fall plays. The lessons that I learned while serving my school as a student manager and volunteer were to carry me on thru to the work force after school. And it served me well. But, that's another story.

As life went on, I got married and had a family and followed my son as he participated in various sports just like my dad did for me so many years ago. While following him thru Junior League and Cub Football I was asked by Coach Gaddis to help with the Defensive Stats for the Varsity. That was the Fall of 1992. This season (2007) will mark my 15th season with the Varsity football program, and I've loved every minute of it. To be able to give a little of myself back to the Football Program and to the School that taught me so much is a blessing. I only hope that what I do will be an example to someone and inspire them to achieve success in their future.

Go Big Blue