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Caught up in the excitement

I didn’t go to school to be a sports writer. The only journalism class I ever took was in the eighth grade at East Junior High, when I may have written a grand total of two stories for The Bullpup.

Sure, you can probably tell I’m not a classically trained sports journalist, but I’ve learned a lot in almost 20 years of doing this job. I’ve had some great mentors and coworkers through the years who helped me through the ins and outs of the business. Warren Rogers, Roy Pace and Bruce Sayler are just a few of those who helped me to improve my craft.

There are lots of rules concerning spelling, grammar and Associated Press style, but some of the best lessons  learned had to do with unwritten rules of the business: Don’t cheer from the press table or sideline; Don’t wear your Montana Tech hat when you’re covering a Montana Tech game; Don’t ask players for autographs, especially at the professional level.

I’ve found myself in violation of a few of these rules lately.

While I wasn’t wearing my Butte High hat on the sidelines of last Saturday’s thrilling semifinal game between the Bulldogs and Great Falls Russell, I did catch myself jumping up and down and pumping my fist after the Butte High defense held fast on the goal line on the last play of the game to preserve a 37-36 win.

Of course I didn’t jump anywhere near as high as Butte School District business manager J.R. Richardson, who may want to consider a new career in track or basketball.

I broke another rule Monday night at the Bulldogs’ team meeting in the Butte High auditorium. I brought my four kids and a helmet we found, and asked the team to autograph it for them.

A few weeks back, my oldest son and I were on the sidelines of a Bulldog game when he pulled on my sleeve and asked me for a piece of paper.

“Sure,” I said. “What do you need paper for?”

“Dad, I want to get some autographs,” he replied.

I told him that the middle of a game on the sidelines was the wrong place to seek autographs, but I was very happy with his request. It means a lot to me that my son looks up to the Bulldogs. They’re a quality group of young men, and the traits they’re displaying – class, hard work, perseverance, just to name a few – are some of the same I’d like to see developed in my own children.

Earlier this fall, I came across an old, discarded shell of a helmet. We cleaned up with a scouring pad, and we were given a couple of “B” decals by Butte head coach Arie Grey. The kids and I decided that the helmet would be a great place to have some autographs, and the players were happy to oblige.

My only problem afterward was trying to referee the wrestling match between the kids to determine which would get to carry the new prize out of the school.

There’s been a big outpouring of support from the community, which hasn’t seen the Bulldogs play for the Class AA title in more than two decades. The level of excitement is fun to watch, and join in as well, to the degree that journalistic principles allow, at least.

There’s been a call for a “Purple Out,” or a “Purple Haze,” as it’s been called at Friday’s championship game against Bozeman at Naranche Stadium. Folks have been asked to wear as much purple as possible in support of the home team.

Another push under way involves a request for those who still have their old letterman’s jackets, to wear them to the game. I won’t be wearing mine on the sidelines, partly out of respect for my job, and partly because I’m about 100 pounds heavier now than when I got the jacket as a Christmas present in 1984. No one wants to see that mess.

I would, however, let the Missus wear it to the game, if she decides to go. She’s not a big football fan, but who knows, she might get caught up in the excitement. We’ll see.

Naranche Stadium has been a great place for the Bulldogs since the completion of renovation early last season. Butte High has a 10-1 record at the field in that time, and has enjoyed a marked home-field advantage.

But it’s not just the setting, and it’s not just the crowd. Butte High itself has shown the willingness to do what is necessary to bring off well staged games at the showcase stadium.

When Mother Nature blessed the area with abundant snow last week, the school was faced with the daunting task of removing all the accumulation. All day Thursday and all day Friday, Butte’s school district engineering staff (Disclaimer: I work part time for the Butte School District as a substitute engineer) led the attack on the snow and ice.

The engineers were joined by workers from Butte-Silver Bow, residents at CCCS, Hunter Brothers Contracting and a number of volunteers who stepped up to the daunting task. The stadium was ready Friday afternoon, though the Rustlers needed to postpone the game until Saturday due to unsafe driving conditions on the northern stretches of I-15.

So, after the snow continued through Friday night, the crews went back to work. Lights were turned on at the stadium at 4 a.m. on Saturday to begin the process again. Dozens of people worked until the crowds were let into the field at 11:30 a.m. Tons of snow had been moved, and the game went on.

“Butte came together like nowhere else to make this happen,” Richardson said, as he chipped away at ice on the field.

Butte coaches Jim and Gina Konen brought their shovels and went to work clearing bleacher seats. Fans showed up early and picked up brooms and shovels to make way for the crowds. Engineers put in double shifts as chief stadium engineer Ned Ellingwood coordinated the effort.

Weather forecasts for Friday night’s game don’t look as dire as they did last weekend, but it seems certain the field will be as ready as can be for the final game of the Class AA season.

See you there. Don’t forget your purple. 9 comments



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9 Comments

  • 16's Pop
    November 13, 2012, 11:06 am

    On behalf of Michele, Dallas, Dylan and Devon, We would once again thank this wonderful city of Butte for opening her arms to our family. We fell into your lap and you kind people “softened” the landing. Coach Grey and his staff have accommodated our two older sons so they can have a pleasurable high school football experience!! They’ve both been working hard since the ages of 5 & 3 to hone their skills to help them get to where they want to go in life acedemically and athletically. Thank you Butte America, C U FRIDAY!!
    THE COOK FAMILY.

    REPLY
    • Joe O'Mara@16's Pop
      November 13, 2012, 1:28 pm

      It has been nice to have you and your family here in town. I enjoy your enthusiastic cheering at the games even when things weren’t going well and other kids were playing over Dallas in the past. You always cheer as much for any of the other kids as you do your own son and exemplify the meaning of the word fan. As far as Dallas goes, every time I have heard him in interview or read an article about him he is always willing to give credit to his teammates first and foremost. The dogs are in good hands with an excellent team leader. You should be a very proud parent. CAN’T WAIT TIL FRIDAY, GO DOGS!!

      REPLY
  • hendrix2197
    November 13, 2012, 9:15 pm

    What about something like the white towels with purple lettering

    they handed out back about

    87-88. It said year of the dog or something like that on them. It

    would be kind of cool because the players could see them.

    REPLY
  • RON COLLINS
    November 14, 2012, 2:23 pm

    I tried to think what game or games I have witnessed that truly brought tears to my eyes. I have been to almost every home game the dogs played in since 1957. For some reason I have always enjoyed football. My first thought was in 1981 when my son was a member of the state championship team that defeated CMR in Great Falls, after losing them here at East. The second game that was at the time the greatest game I had ever seen was the Fiesta Bowl when Boise beat Oklahoma in overtime. It was unblievable to say the least. Now comes the playoff with CMR, going into the final quarter my thoughts were, well we had a great season, nothing to be embarassed about the Dogs exceeded all expectations. I enjoyed every game and never missed a one. But then things changed Dallas Cook and the Dogs got life and boy was that exciting. Momentem changed and you could see it happening. I don’t remember the last time I cried at a high school event. This was the best and most exciting game i have ever witnessed. I do plan on wearing my letter sweater Friday (if it fits lol) GOOD LUCK DOGS KICK BUT TAKE NAMES LATER!!!!!

    REPLY
    • Mike Walsh@RON COLLINS
      November 14, 2012, 6:06 pm

      As a Boise State alum and fan I agree on the Fiesta Bowl win. As a Butte High grad I wish I could have been there last Saturday. As it was, I couldn’t get the KBOW feed to work, so I was getting updates via facebook from a classmate in the stands. Even that was exciting. It’s not just the town that’s behind these kids; there’s a lot of Butte folks all over following this team, and we’re excited for them, Coach Arie and our hometown. And maybe a little misty eyed too. Go Dogs!

      REPLY
  • RON COLLINS
    November 15, 2012, 12:05 pm

    In reading some of the articles written on other bloggs and an editorial in Bozemans paper regarding Naranche Stadium and the Butte fans, i get concerned over the fact that as a whole we are being chastized by our behavior. Rumors of swearing and spitting on the players is not what we are about. WE are as excited as the team and the coaches. Myself I have not witnessed such an act. If some of those accusations are true, shame on the person or persons doing it regardless of age. A couple of sic fans should not tarnish the reputation of Butte Highs loyal fans. End of storey!!!

    REPLY
  • Dave Dunmire
    November 15, 2012, 7:12 pm

    Ron, I’m with you. My son and I sit in the front row every game and I have witnessed NONE of that, granted I can only see/hear about 10 yards to either side of me. But if that is something they are worried about, and it obviously is, hopefully there is something on the field that isn’t getting their attention.

    REPLY

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