Coach "Dad" & me...Father's Day Story to my Dad...
When I was in high school I was part of a pom pon squad. I was captain both my junior & senior year. The first year NO one wanted the position & the second year I was elected.
My junior year we had competed in a pom pon competition and were horrified when we placed 13 out of 14. That night my dad took me aside and asked if I wanted a "winning" team the following year. I thought~ of course I did, but it hardly seemed likely... I wondered what my father had in mind...after all he was a West Point grad....and he said he would be our "coach."
First he set rules of practice: 1. NO practicing in dresses, 2. Sneakers or saddles shoes, 3. There would be warm ups (lots), 4. We would practice (DRILLED) everyday~ and that meant through our summer vacation, 5. We would have committees for everything, and IMPORTANTLY 6. We had to be DIFFERENT...he said this would set us apart from the rest...
Coaching...
We drilled & marched on our high school track what seemed like miles everyday...
So with the embarrassing defeat in mind, and my Dad's West Point determination we practiced, NO let me correct that ~we drilled, we actually started to work as a team, and we found what would make us DIFFERENT.
As you can see, NOT all practices were fun for me....
In the beginning we couldn't get our legs going in the same direction, same height...we looked terrible...
But finally we all started to "get it". Kicks the same height...(me on the front left)
Back in the 70's all pom-pon squads used pom poms to entertain~ marching, swirling the poms during all sport events... Then our "routine committee" came up with the DIFFERENT that is still being used today...We simply dropped our poms during the routine, and went into a high kick routine. This simple change was the DIFFERENT that made a difference...
Off to a competion...we were even drilled to stand, look, wear our hair...we learned to be a team. (Me on the right)
So with lots of hard practice, determination, change in attitude, updated uniforms, and a DAD that knew we could do it...We took the state by storm the following year~ winning every competition we set our foot on, and changing the look of pom-pon performing to this day.
Performing...Our "story" was noted so much in our state, that we had a book published by Orlino Castro, titled RPH 30 (Robert Peary High School~ 30 girls), about this story of determination and becoming champions.
The book...
A page from the book. Practice does make perfect...Our "story" was noted so much in our state, that we had a book published by Orlino Castro, titled RPH 30 (Robert Peary High School~ 30 girls), about this story of determination and becoming champions.
Dad proudly holding one of our winning trophies that year...
The last page of the book... It reads, "The toughest thing about success is that you've got to keep on being a success. Talent is only a starting point..."Looking back how lucky was I to have a DAD so involved, so determined, a person who really believed that the impossible could be possible. I treasure those memories...thank you DAD.
14 comments:
How impressive. That was an inspirational story. Thanks, CG!
What an awesome experience!
That's awesome, C~G and you're so cute in the pix!! Great Dads are a wonderful thing!!
Thanks everyone...I should have mentioned that 4 of those girls (from that team) moved on to coach high school pom pon teams in my area; in which some were state champs. How cool is that?
For me, I taught at camps, choregraphed teams for parades, judged, then moved on to choregraph musical theatre. What fun it all was!
Your father is such a gem! I love that story; thanks for sharing it with us for Father's Day! (p.s. said it before, will say it again, you are beautiful!)
OH! Gigi, I have tears in my eyes. What a wonderful experience! And great stories you can tell your grandchildren. They always make movies with the guys and sports, this would be a GREAT MOVIE! I would buy a ticket. Thank-you so much for a wonderful story. My dad past away when I was 17 and 8 months pregnant. I am 46 and still cry because I miss him so.
Have a nice evening Gigi,
ginger
What a great story Carrie! When is the movie coming out? = ) It would be the next Hoosiers...but with girls! Its about time they do a sports team movie about girls...
What a wonderfully inspiring story Gigi. Thank you so much for sharing it with us all. You were so very lucky to have an involved and caring father.
God bless.
what a great story! Super father!
Great pics and what a wonderful dad you have!
I loved reading this blog story! Thanks for sharing it :)
Such an amazing story! Your dad is the type of person they need to make a movie about. He really taught you about hard work and how it is the only way to accomplish your goals. A great father you have! I bet you admire him a lot.
I love all the cool pictures and how you separated parts of the story with each pic! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Michelle for taking the time for reading this "older" post-
I was such a brat- my Dad really saved me- being part of the "team"- you know wrong crowd- maybe just bored....
I know in years to come- instead of having barely enough girls to fill the team- well over 100-200 girls would try out for 30 slots...it was nice to be part of it.
By Ed: I remember it well. One thing you did not mention, and I hesitate to bring it up, but I do seem to remember that you were not always completely happy with all the hard work - but then maybe my memory is slipping. :)
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