We all headed to Branson this year with a great sense of anticipation. Everyone knew what a special group of Foresters Coach Platt had assembled and we expected this to be a very special NAIA tournament. We were not disappointed. The Foresters represented themselves well, and the best team in NAIA D2 reached a new high.
DIXIE STAMPEDE
Things started off Tuesday with the opening banquet at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. This year, freshman Kyle Benge was asked to step out of his comfort zone and join in a game of horseshoes hillbilly style (using toilet seats).
You might remember that Coach Platt participated in a similar event a couple years ago. As it turned out, Kyle represented the Foresters well, just as Coach had before him. Kyle joined in and had some fun, as well as some embarrassment along the way.
PARENT PEP RALLIES
Friday we celebrated the Forester win of the night before with a Branson style pep rally. We had a return visit of the Dixie Hicks who made their first appearance a couple years ago. This time the group was neatly represented by senior moms Dee Anna Snider and Marsha Holmes, who did a great job of encouraging their sons, while they may have embarrassed them a bit. (See Pep Rally photos.)
Saturday celebrated another win led by the Forester dads. They made their sons proud by participating in a mock game complete with cheerleaders who happened to be Ryan Thwaits and Derek Yoder, along with senior dads Greg Holmes, Chuck Verba, and Terry Snider. They got the Forester fans all fired up, but we’re not sure if it was because of their cheers, their outfits, or both. The rest of the dads represented their sons in the Forester lineup along with a very special appearance of |
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That may sound a bit peculiar to some but, yes, God can and does work through basketball to change lives. If you doubt that, please feel free to ask me about it.
I want to thank all who were involved in that unique church service. I’m sure many were encouraged in their faith just as I was.
FINAL FOUR BANQUET
Sunday night many of the Forester Fans, along with team members and parents, went to the Final Four Banquet on the Showboat Branson Belle. Due to threatening weather (which produced tornados, power outages, room evacuations and hail stones that put dents in our cars), the Showboat didn’t go anywhere, but we did enjoy a great program, a fine meal and some talking dogs.
FORESTERS ARE CHAMPIONS
It was obvious that we all enjoyed watching and cheering on the Foresters this season, and especially during their run in the 2006 NAIA National Tournament.
We are all so grateful to the team for doing an excellent job of representing themselves and Huntington University with class and good sportsmanship. Everyone in Branson was impressed by this group of fine young men. We are also proud of the efforts and accomplishments of this team throughout this season, and they should be proud of themselves, as well.
Congratulations, especially to Chase and Steven. It’s been a pleasure watching you two grow not only as players but as men of God during your time at Huntington. Your impact on the program will be felt long after you’re gone, we will definitely miss you both.
- by Michael Albertson
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