10-19-2022 4:32am

“If you build it, they will come!”

by Jane Stahl

“If you build it, they will come!” The afternoon could not have been more perfect; sunshine, blue sky, a temperature just warm enough for shirt sleeves welcomed Boyertown High School’s (BASH) soccer alums, former coaches, friends, families, and dogs who showed up to a field of dreams on Niantic Road behind Washington Elementary School to play a sport they loved, re-connect with teammates, and re-live memories of years gone by.

Jed Johnston, BASH Class of 2007, shares, “I'm definitely glad I came out. It was great to get out there and kick the ball around. Soccer was such an important part of our lives for so many years. Most of us began playing in elementary school, and it was a shock that it all ended when we graduated from high school or maybe a few years later after college."

Jed admits,"I'm feeling a little sore , but would definitely do this again.” Jed's wife Molly, also a BASH '07 grad and their 8-month-old baby cheered him on. And when asked if he hopes his son will play soccer, he says, "I'll play the card I'm supposed to play and say, 'It will be up to him,'" but you can hear the hopefulness in his voice.

Photo courtesy of Mary Lou Renninger

Soccer dad Jim Johnston, who spent years driving his son to practices and cheering for him and the BASH team at matches, came out to cheer again on Saturday.

“It was great to see everyone talking and reminiscing. The camaraderie was wonderful to see. Players from different decades who did not overlap at BASH were enjoying meeting one another. Teammates who had an impressive commitment to one another back when they played, reflected that same bond in their friendliness and sharing with each other," Jim offers. "And I was glad to have an opportunity to talk to my son’s former coach Scott Didyoung who was there as an alumni coach."

"One of the day’s best moments was watching a guy 'motoring' downfield to keep the ball from a defender and hearing on the sidelines a young boy watching him, yelling, ‘Run daddy run,'" he concludes with a smile.”

Matt Danner, BASH head coach, Social Studies teacher, and organizer of this first-ever event, reached out to friends on social media to spread the word. He explains, "Formal planning for the game began last spring with the creation of an alumni Facebook page to help with organization. I then made an effort to collect email addresses from players who were not on Facebook with the goal of creating a complete database of former players and coaches going back to the 70s when the modern program started at the high school. Collecting contact info is still an ongoing endeavor."

"Then, through the use of a questionnaire, it was determined the date should coincide with homecoming at BASH. We also considered Thanksgiving weekend or a game in the spring," he adds.

"Once the date was determined we considered locations. Boyertown High School was our first choice, but due to some logistical issues regarding group insurance, using those fields was not an option. We then approached the Boyertown Soccer Club about using the JK Memorial Field for our event, and they agreed. The Club, along with the players, also provided some equipment."

Over 70 alumni turned out for the event, players now in their 40’s, some approaching 50. Streaks of grey in their hair and beards, thinning hair lines and patches of skin-tone pates told the time. Over 100 attendees of all ages came to watch.

"Reactions were extremely positive. The event brought back a lot of memories and allowed players, coaches, and fans to reconnect. In some instances, people reconnected after not having seen or talked to one another for 20 years. Former coaches and players got a chance to catch up and socialize. There were no major injuries and everyone I talked to had a positive experience," Matt continued.

Former head coach Scott Didyoung watched with interest from a chair on which he often sat in the 'old days' when he was coaching. “The outstanding aspect of the day for me was how much of a joy it was to see all the young men we coached and where their lives have taken them, and the good people they turned out to be," he offers.

"We got to see how they grew up and we got to meet their wives and their children. I am so proud of the good people they are. It was lovely that so many players and their family members came over to say hello and talk and share stories. It is a wonderful legacy. It was an all-around great day," he adds. "Matt Danner did a super job organizing it and I hope they continue and make it a tradition.”

Thirty-minute games against players of the same decade were held between 2:30-3:30, followed by full field mixed team games between 3:30-5:30. Spectators enjoyed the play, reveled in the opportunity to cheer on their friends from high school, and update one another on their lives.

Braden Bartman, BASH Class of 2022, now a sophomore at Lock Haven, majoring in Political Science, hopes that the event becomes an annual one. Braden says, "It was a great time... great to see old teammates, old coaches, and just to see so many generations of Boyertown High School soccer at one place was very cool." He continues, "I hope we can make this event an annual thing and keep bringing in more and more alumni to the event."

Jeff Lauchen, Michael Jemo, and Kevin Kinkead also wrote to thank their coach for giving them the change to reconnect with former teammates and "take the field" after many years.

Will the players “pay” for the day with sore muscle? Not all, according to Monique Becker whose husband Ed plays with “the old guys” regularly.

All-in-all, it was a most inspiring event for all concerned. Bravo to Matt Danner for making it happen and for his additional plans for future events.

Matt offers his gratitude, saying, "Thank you to everyone who came out for the first BASH soccer alumni game and to the Boyertown Soccer Club for hosting us. The weather was great, the field was in outstanding shape, and everyone seemed to enjoy the event. We had a number of people who stepped up to help in the concession stand and with general organization.

"The event is something we’ve talked about doing for some time now. In fact, Boyertown Senior High Soccer Alumni Association (BSHSAA) has been officially registered with the state of PA as a non-profit with the goal of supporting soccer in the Boyertown area. We plan on holding yearly alumni games and various types of fundraisers throughout the year," he adds.

"In addition to the annual alumni game, we are planning other activities such as a golf outing, beef-n-beer, for example. We're also planning to incorporate the girls teams in the near future," he concludes.

Bravo to those gentlemen who came out of retirement to relive their glory days. A good time was had by all.

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