WHAT IS IT ABOUT NOSTALGIA ANYWAY?
Maybe the further you go back in the old memory bank, the more endeared you are to it.
Friday nights in MTV have been special to me for years. Especially in the Winter. Chagnon (nee Vernois Gym) is one of the old gyms right out of the movie "Hoosiers". When you sat on the front rows on east and west sides, your feet were on the playing court.
A stage at the south end houses the rowdy fans and Pep Band. Directly across on the north side used to be the place the band played before a new administration took it over for coaches' offices and viewing for special fans. Although come to think of it, most all is now blocked off for viewing.
And high school basketball is huge in the State. For decades, the northern part of Illinois has ruled after they started taking the better coaches with offers of higher salaries. "No nevermind" as some still say in SoIL, or Southern Illinois, home of the Rams. People still love their round ball.
My first taste was in 1957, three years after the last state champion back when there was only one class system, only one state champ. Somehow I still think that appropriate. Back in '57, the band played "Smoke gets in Your Eyes," and even as a little kid, I liked it. After the game, Tommy, my best friend and I would gather up the used Coke cups and stomp them to get them to make noise.
Some were duds, but it didn't matter. Our ultimate purpose was to play basketball with them after the game ended as most were exiting the gym. After every game one of our parents would have to come into the gym to pick us up and take us home.
I don't think we were ever one of the last 25 to leave. We didn't even think that our parents might worry, because they knew we'd be shooting at the north basket with cups smashed.
You don't see those cups anymore. I'd like to buy some. Just to stomp.
Maybe the further you go back in the old memory bank, the more endeared you are to it.
Friday nights in MTV have been special to me for years. Especially in the Winter. Chagnon (nee Vernois Gym) is one of the old gyms right out of the movie "Hoosiers". When you sat on the front rows on east and west sides, your feet were on the playing court.
A stage at the south end houses the rowdy fans and Pep Band. Directly across on the north side used to be the place the band played before a new administration took it over for coaches' offices and viewing for special fans. Although come to think of it, most all is now blocked off for viewing.
And high school basketball is huge in the State. For decades, the northern part of Illinois has ruled after they started taking the better coaches with offers of higher salaries. "No nevermind" as some still say in SoIL, or Southern Illinois, home of the Rams. People still love their round ball.
My first taste was in 1957, three years after the last state champion back when there was only one class system, only one state champ. Somehow I still think that appropriate. Back in '57, the band played "Smoke gets in Your Eyes," and even as a little kid, I liked it. After the game, Tommy, my best friend and I would gather up the used Coke cups and stomp them to get them to make noise.
Some were duds, but it didn't matter. Our ultimate purpose was to play basketball with them after the game ended as most were exiting the gym. After every game one of our parents would have to come into the gym to pick us up and take us home.
I don't think we were ever one of the last 25 to leave. We didn't even think that our parents might worry, because they knew we'd be shooting at the north basket with cups smashed.
You don't see those cups anymore. I'd like to buy some. Just to stomp.
posted by TQ @ 7:10 AM
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