Hand over the heart and quiet reverence always shows respect

The Wright stuff - Took this photo of Kolbi Wright before a Cape football game in 2017. Kolbi was listed at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds. He was the bus for the concussed. Man, you just didn’t want to tackle that guy. Kolbi is articulate and smart and of Nanticoke Indian heritage. In 2017, how a player represented during the national anthem wasn’t an opportunity for a political statement. I don’t know what was in Kolbi’s heart during the pregame ceremony, just know the hand over the heart means the same thing in all cultures, respect for the moment. 

Walk like a Waple - Three Rehoboth sisters have walk-up songs, and if there’s ever a chance to introduce them, I want to cue up the music. Cecilia Waple graduated from St. Thomas More and Catholic University. “Cecelia” is a song written by Paul Simon in 1970. “Cecilia, you’re breaking my heart/You’re shaking my confidence daily.” Next is Caroline, who graduated from St. Thomas More and St. Joe’s University. “Sweet Caroline” was written and sung by Neil Diamond in 1969. “Sweet Caroline/Good times never seemed so good/I've been inclined/To believe they never would.” And youngest sister Rosemary, a Cape sophomore, represents the song by Edison Lighthouse released in 1972. “Love grows where my Rosemary goes and nobody knows like me.” Their late grandfather was Augie Micelli, football coach and math teacher at Calvert Hall. Augie died in June 2019 at age 86. He taught math for 60 years and was football coach for 13 years, racking up 104 wins. Thanks to Lisa Kammerer for hipping me to the walk-up connection.

Parent groups - Athletes come through school and play on sports teams, and they often bring devoted parents with them who leave when the kid graduates, except for career sportswriters like me who never leave because I have nowhere else to go. Some parent groups are downright fanatical; others are zealots who passionately pursue what they feel is best for their team. I’m all in favor of a strong boosters club and passionate parents. I do like it better when they freely admit to being half crazy. Volleyball at Cape right now has a strong group of parents very supportive of their athletes, and they have been pushing hard to get the players back on the Big House court with a sensible schedule. Field hockey is no cult, as some claim. Leaders just have a program in place run by smart people that introduces kids to the sport in kindergarten. The Henlopen Soccer Club and travel soccer keep a flow of good players heading into the Cape program. Cross country parents are the most unique; they hang out pretty much stress-free, except at big meets when some throw down their conniption card close to the finish chute.      

Snippets - Maxine Fluharty is the newly named head coach of field hockey at Sussex Academy. Super Max was a double all-state player in field hockey and lacrosse while at Sussex Tech, helping lead the Ravens to a pair of state field hockey titles under coach Nancy Tribbett, then going on to be an All-American at the University of Maryland and a Big Ten Player of the Year. And she is an internationalist, having played on a variety of USA age-group teams abroad. Kira Short is the newly named head coach of field hockey at Sussex Tech. Kira graduated from Sussex Tech in 2018. Kyle Weed is the newly named head coach of boys’ soccer at Sussex Tech. The Phillies stopped a four-game losing streak Sept. 23, beating the Nationals 12-3 behind the pitching of Zach Eflin and five total home runs – two from Bryce Harper – to remain alive for the playoffs heading into a final weekend series at Tampa Bay. Tyler Herro, a 20-year-old rookie for the Miami Heat, scored 37 points including five of 10 from three-point land as the Heat beat the Celtics 112-109 to take a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals. Here’s a good one: Herro was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Now that is just funny. Herro did his post-game interview behind a mask while wearing a Phillies hat. Now he’s my guy. Cape’s fall football schedule of seven games, all Friday night contests, begins Oct. 23 at Sussex Central; then Smyrna at home Oct. 30; Milford away Nov. 6; Sussex Tech at home Nov. 13; Caravel at home Nov. 20; Caesar Rodney at home Nov. 27; Dover away Dec. 4. I don’t know about spectators, the band or sports photographers like myself. Young athletes today, both women and men, are tougher than you think and most likely tougher than you were. Take it from Fred Pop on this one. Go on now, git!