News you can use
From The Fringe...
At halftime of the homecoming game between the Montana State University-Northern Lights and Carroll College Fighting Saints, we all got to see something really cool.
At midfield, the 1998 Lights, who were the first Northern team to play football in nearly 30 years were honored. Those who still reside in Havre, good friends of mine like Kendall Griggs, J.T. Schubert and Kino Detrick, among others, were there, joined by as many of the former Lights who could make it to Havre for the special reunion weekend. Those Lights were also joined on the field by many Lights who came along well before them, and even some who played long after the 1998 team was done.
That alone was cool.
But it was also a tremendous sight to see Northern honor the late Walt Currie, the man who started it all. Walt passed away not long ago, and if it weren't for him, I'm not certain we would even have football at Northern today.
So for me, to see Chancellor Greg Kegel and Northern A.D. Christian Oberquell hand Walt's son Jeff, another good friend of mine, and one of many local guys to coach that first Northern squad, a framed MSU-N #1 jersey, in honor of Walt, that was not only cool, it was emotional.
Yes, being friends with so many 1998 players, and looking up to guys like Jeff and Mickey Williams, and Walt, and so many others who were apart of it all, for me personally, it was one of the best halftimes I've been to at a Northern game in a long, long time.
And because I know so many of the 1998 guys, I'm going to take one minute to speak for them, so listen up current Lights, players and coaches. The 1998 team, I think they are pretty proud of what they saw from you guys Saturday.
I know so many of those guys, and they are very proud of helping start the program that you now play for. They take that very seriously, and they truly care. So while the scoreboard may not have been the result the 2018 Lights were looking for against Carroll, the way you played, the toughness and heart with which you played against the Fighting Saints, I'm positive the 1998 guys were very proud of their alma mater Saturday.
What you, the current Lights, showed the original Lights Saturday, I think, those guys would say, the program is in good hands. I think they're very proud of what they saw, and I think those guys, the guys that I like to say laid the first brick at Northern, I think they're going to be some of your biggest fans moving forward. And I think they know the program is going to move forward under the direction of Andrew Rolin.
Yes, Saturday was a special day, no matter what the scoreboard says. It was special because, the Lights took a big step forward against mighty Carroll. It was special because it was homecoming. It was special because we honored the great Walt Currie. And it was special because I got to see so many of my friends, who started it all, get their day in the sun, and be recognized for helping get this whole thing off the ground.
In the end, no matter what the scoreboard said, for me and for so many, there was a lot to like and celebrate Saturday inside Blue Pony Stadium.
Reader Comments(0)