Like father like son.

Marian H.S. Offensive Line/Backs 1979

In reference to the previous blog post, I too had an undistinguished career as a high school quarterback.  My claim to fame is that after my senior season, my high school (which had won state championships in 1973, ‘75 and ‘76) retired my jersey number.  Pretty cool, huh?  Except that’s not the end of the story.  My high school coach, John Ferrette (second row, far right) was Marian High School’s first quarterback in the 1960’s and held a bunch of school records.  He retired after my senior season and jersey #10 was retired in HIS honor. 

Can't throw an interception if you just run the ball.

Still true though.  MY jersey number was retired.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Actually radio broadcast from this game: "Hammes... to Goosens... Goosens back to Hammes... air ball." I'm not joking.

My prep basketball career was character building… as in losing builds character.  My four-year record at Marian from (1978-81) was a combined 16-60.  We played in front of many “Senior nights” on the road because we were an automatic victory for the other team.  My claim to fame was my junior season when I was assigned to cover Indiana’s leading scorer.  Troy Neely of Jimtown was averaging 34 points per game.  I held him to 40 that night!  I remember after each jumper he drained (this was before the 3-point line), I would look over at my coach and shrug my shoulders and yell if we were going to switch off.  He yelled back, “No, you’re the best we have!”  I was voted “Best Defensive Player” my junior season, when we went 5-16.  That’s like being the best in remedial reading.

Stunning that they let us out of the locker room in those shorts.

These are photos I haven’t seen in nearly 30 years.  My father is cleaning out my “shoebox” and recently sent them.  A flood of memories, good and not so good.  I’m blown away at all the stuff my parents kept.  I thought much of the things I’m looking through were so trivial at the time but now I’m glad they took the time.  “You’ll be glad some day”  I can hear them say. 

Some day has arrived and yes, I’m glad. 

Thanks Mom and Dad.