This past Monday, the soccer teams of Harrison and Jefferson elementary schools in Warsaw faced off in their season-opening match. The referee, Mr. Ron Burns, inspected the players' gear and met with the team captains.
Then, for the first time in my many years as a player and coach, Mr. Burns did something that literally gave me goosebumps.
He call all of the starting players together and had them line up along the sideline. He told them that this was their first game of the season and they should make an Olympic-style entrance. The players walked single file toward each other, turning at the midfield stripe as seen in the photo.
Near the middle of the pitch, Mr. Burns stopped and had the players turn back to there respective sides. The teams were now perfectly aligned, facing their parents and fans. Then, they waved and took their places on the field. It was a Class Act. Mr. Burns was not required to do that, but in so doing, he created a memory that will outlive the final score.
Thank you, Mr. Burns.
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