A great show of sportsmanship

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The following was written by Dave McClaine of Clarion.]

Perhaps the greatest example of sportsmanship and support of a rival team I've ever witnessed, was on display this past weekend at the D9 Class A Championship Football Game, between Clarion and Port Allegany, at Varischetti Field in Brockway. And the interesting thing is that this display of sportsmanship and support did not involve the two teams competing on the field.
Approximately a half hour to 45 minutes before game time, a group of four young men entered the stands on the Clarion sideline. They were strangely dressed (or partially dressed), but not that unusual for a sporting event. Each of the guys had one of each letter of KSAC (Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference) in a big colored square, covering most of the front of his shirtless torso. On their backs each had a letter REPS (representatives). On their faces were depictions of Bobcat whiskers. Two of them had half a football sliced around the middle on their head as a cap.
Now, I've filmed for the Bobcat football team for a number of years, and I didn't recognize one of these young men, which I probably would have, if they were from Clarion High School. I didn't think to yell out to them, and ask their names, which I would have, if I had thought about it. Yes, I'm one of those two overly exuberant Bobcat fans that you probably hear from time to time, so it wouldn't have been beneath me, or too embarrassing to me to yell out to them from the top the stands.
But on Page 2 of the first section of Sunday's edition of The L-V's publishing partner, The Tri-County Sunday, from DuBois, big as you please, was a photo by Paul A. Wilson, of these four, clapping and shouting, with huge smiles on their faces. The opening line of the caption said, "GO BOBCATS - From left, Clarion fans Taylor Smith, Austin Davis, Brody Shick and Cole Morris celebrate a play by their team Saturday in the District 9 Class A title game with Port Allegany." And you can tell by the above description, these "fans" were sincere in their support of their rival.
Then, I had an epiphany! (Actually I just recognized several of their names from the sports pages.) "Hey, three of these guys are Union varsity players, the other probably plays on their junior high team."
I know that it is not unusual to see players from one team come out to support other conference teams once the playoffs begin. But they usually come decked out in their own school jackets and caps. And, they usually are a bit subdued in their cheering.
Not these guys!
Shirtless, painted up, rival team's symbol on their faces, whooping it up like they went to the rival school, not worrying about the ribbing they would take back in the halls at school, risking detention and a strain on their finances if that was the football team's ball and they are made to reimburse the team for it. And making this even more impressive is the fact that Port Allegany is the team that ended Union's season two weekends earlier. How many of us would have said, "Well if we couldn't beat 'em, I sure hope this team doesn't beat 'em." Nope, they came out to support a rival team, and I'm sure, some of their friends on that team.
Now this is sportsmanship in the purest sense of the word!
The Union administration and faculty, football coaches and team, student body and these boys' parents should be very proud of these fine young men, for the great example of sportsmanship they showed. You're sure doing something right, down there. Congratulations. Proud to call you my Alma Mater.
To these four young men: Guys, you've set the bar pretty high. Great job! And to you and your team, great season. I wish I would have yelled down and gotten your names and school. I'm sure our cheering section would have given you guys a standing ovation, that's just how they are. I'll be glad to pay for the ball.