Random notes

By Rhonda Westfall

Here's the secret to Fowler athletic success

Folks from around the state ask the same question at about this time every year - What makes Fowler athletic teams so good?

Is there something in the farm-fresh air? Maybe a super sports gene that gets passed from generation to generation? What's up with this Eagle thing?

Outstanding coaches, dedicated athletes, and a supporting community all play a part, that's for sure. But, I think I saw the real reason for Fowler's success prior to the kick-off of the Class D State Championship game last Friday.

His name is Lee Wieber - and he's 10 years old today. As one of the team's three managers, young Lee doesn't possess the gridiron knowledge of the illustrious Eagle coaching staff, nor did he contribute to the team's successful season by blocking, passing, or running. Rather, the son of Jeff and Julie Wieber brought to the 1998 Fowler team the same magic that other youngsters have in years gone by - a true love of the game and joy in working hard to achieve a goal. There's no magic in that, you may say. But, you're wrong.

I saw it with my own eyes last Friday. Here was this blonde-headed kid walking with determination along side the Eagle coaching staff, following the team onto the artificial turf of the Silverdome for pre-game warm-ups. He paused briefly to touch a white stripe on that emerald green field, then continued into the end zone where he methodically walked behind each co-captain - bending down, patting their helmets and obviously giving words of encouragement to one after another.

If you ask me, Lee knew exactly what he was doing - and he also knows that five or six years from now, chances are good that he will be in that endzone stretching out prior to a championship game.

Last Friday, he wore the No. 50 jersey that belonged to a former player, his cousin, Kyle Wieber. Another cousin, Corey Wieber, was a member of the '98 club - it's part of the athletic tradition in Fowler.

And, Lee already has his sights set on a future position - tailback. So, you want to run the ball?, the question is asked.

"Yeah, like Jason," the wannabe tailback says of this year's leading ground-gainer, Jason Feldpausch.

And, that's how the magic works in Eagle Country. They know how to win - because they've learned how to lose. Every year will not bring with it a State title, and chances are good that even in a championship year there will be one or two - or even three - losses on the field of play.

But, with extra effort, hard work - and that all important joy that comes in playing the game - you just never know how the season may end. Perhaps, we can all learn a lesson from Lee.

* * * * * * * *

In thinking about the highly successful athletic program at Fowler High School, it dawned on me last week how privileged I've been to comment on Eagle teams in the past 15 years. The decades of the 1980s and '90s have really been a "Golden Age" in Fowler sports history - in my humble opinion.

Consider the number of Class D State titles which Fowler teams have captured in that time span:

Football - state champions, 1998, '96, '95, '93; runners-up, 1986, '80. Girls cross country - state champions, 1988, '89; runners-up, 1990, '91, '92, '93.

Boys cross country - state champions, 1988, '89, '90; runners-up, 1995, '92, 85.

Girls track - state champions, 1998, '90, '89, '83, '82; runners-up, 1991, '88, '87, 81.

Boys track - state champions, 1988, '85; runners-up, 1989, '87, '86.

Girls basketball - state champions, 1991; runners-up, 1990.

Boys basketball - state champions, 1952; runners-up, 1950.

And, that's just the state title teams and runners-up - compiling a list of conference, district, and regional winners would take more time, or space, than is available here.

Certainly, there have been plenty of other teams from area schools which have performed well in that same time period - I don't mean to take anything away from their accomplishments. Still, it seems very appropriate to acknowledge the efforts of Fowler players and coaches during this Golden Age.

Of course, it's quite impossible to talk about this particular era of Eagle athletics without mentioning the one, common thread that is interwoven into the fabric of Fowler's success - Steve Spicer. It has been my great pleasure to work with Coach Spicer during the decades of the '80s and '90s, and I know for a fact that his strength of character and iron will have played a major role in shaping the direction of its athletic programs - and its athletes.

You've helped to create winners, both on and off the field of play, Steve.

Thanks for allowing all of us here in Clinton County to share in the Eagle Golden Age.