Published: October 31, 2009 09:48 pm      

The view from the fence has been well worth it

I guess when it comes to Homecoming, I am officially a fence sitter ... a vacillator ... a middle-of-the-roader ... one of the growing masses of undecided voters ... and any other term that would definitively label me as “Red” or “Blue.”

My background has given me a unique perspective on this hoopla called the Fort Hill-Allegany Game. I grew up on Arch Street and graduated from Fort Hill. However, for the past 30 years, I have taught English at Allegany. As I face retirement this year, this unusual insight allows me to reflect on this Cumberland craziness.

I suppose I caught the “Sentinel Sickness” from my sister Barb, a graduate of the class of 1957 (the classic school year to graduate!!). With her Red and White sweater and cowbell, I was immediately hooked. I listened to the Turkey Day Game on the radio as a kid, hating this guy named Gaffney — though I never met him before in my life.

My dreams of one day being the quarterback at Fort Hill were weaned on games at St. John’s parking lot — where we wouldn’t allow this young kid named Greg Hare to play with us because we were too old. Those dreams were shattered (along with my arm) in 7th grade as I broke it twice in 3 months (playing football, of course). Allegany would never realize how lucky they were not to ever have to face me as opposing quarterback.

But my Fort Hill fanaticism continued by joining the marching band. I enjoyed playing in the stadium, traveling to away games, and supporting the team. We would learned a brand new halftime show EVERY week. We had the marching 100 band members — and one lonely band director, Neil Williams. Somehow, by himself, and drum major Tim Thomas, we were kept under control.

After winning on Turkey Day, we would march from the stadium to downtown. To celebrate, we would put our hats on backwards (we were such rebels!!). I got to play for the “dream team” of Rich Robinson, Dump Wallace, and Gene Zais — genuine heroes to a 14 year-old. And sadly, I sat in the stands during my senior year as Alco edged us (“Sin, sex, booze and hate ... We’re the class of ’68. Yes, we were sooooooooo clever. Just not clever enough to think of another word to rhyme with “eight”). If only I had been on the field that day, the outcome would have been different.

After college, marriage, and the birth of our daughter Melanie, we moved to LaVale. With me teaching at Alco and Melanie an Arrowette, it was only natural that my allegiance would change as well. My family almost ex-communicated me!! Even when Turkey Day was changed to Homecoming, we still had the traditional turkey dinner at my sister Barb’s house after the game (tradition dies slowly!). This has since given way to more practical things such as wings, pizza and beer at Carmichael’s, with over 20 relatives attending.

As an Arrowette Dad, I had the chance to experience the support groups again. And though they never garner the headlines, these groups put in the time, work, and effort as much as anyone. My memory of a beaming daughter smiling from ear to ear doing her high kicks can never be replaced!

One year, our Homecoming theme was “Looney Tunes” with Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, and the rest. We would spell out a phrase in the front windows of the school. That year, it was to say, “We’re tiny, we’re tuney and a little bit looney.” However, our principal would not let us use the term “looney” because it might offend someone (hey, the theme was LOONEY Tunes!!).

The classroom teacher gets to see the football boys through academics as well as sports. At Fort Hill, I’m sure it is the same. There are superstars in class just like on the gridiron ... and some who have to sit the bench “after school,” or get flagged for a penalty. I have encountered the biggest guy on the team confess to me after class, “Please don’t make me stand in front of the class to give my report. I’m too nervous”.

Or another occasion, I returned to school right after a bitter Homecoming defeat to pick up my daughter. The team bus pulled in and the guys streamed off crying like kids ... and not ashamed about it at all.

Just a few years ago, I confronted a misbehaving student in the hall. It looked like it was going to escalate into something worse until a voice behind me said, “Don’t worry Mr. V, we’ve got your back.” It is great to have the seniors on your side! It was these personal encounters throughout the year off of the field that you learn the true character of a kid.

It is easy to become jaded over the whole Homecoming experience. Like many adults, I have also lamented that it was too bad that academics didn’t get the attention of sports. However, Homecoming is more that just sports and football. It is about family and community.

It is a chance to stand on a hill on a cold November afternoon and bask in the pride and the shared experience. It conjures up ghosts of Homecomings past and gives us hope in our youth and leaders of the future.

So love it ... embrace it ... and straddle the fence with me. And if you are lucky like me, you get to celebrate a victory every year, no matter who wins the game.



Tom Valentine, a playwright, actor, director and producer in the community, is a 1968 graduate of Fort Hill High School and will retire this year after 30 years of teaching English at Allegany High School.