Bashbacker Backs the Little Giants
Kelley House ’90 — I have been fortunate to be around Wabash College football since I was in grade school. My dad first joined the coaching staff in 1983 under Coach Carlson and after laying out three years ('87-'89) during my sophomore, junior, and senior seasons, Dad has been there ever since. Now in his 22nd season, I have countless memories through the years and a deep appreciation for what our program has become.
Through my dad, Coach House, I have had firsthand knowledge of the blood, sweat, and tears that have been characteristics of Wabash football. I value my personal friendship with Chris & Heather Creighton.
I have to admit, there is nothing like playoff football — especially when it involves the Little Giants. It is safe to say, for the House Family, we eat, sleep, and breathe Wabash football this time of year. This past weekend was about as good as it gets. After spending Thanksgiving at my parents' house on Thursday, my family (wife Debbie, son Owen (10), daughters Lily (7), and Maggie (6), and my mom (Judy) packed up the reliable LandCruiser and headed to Cleveland, OH.
We checked in to the team hotel, the Renaissance, in downtown Cleveland. It was a very nice hotel and far from the "normal" hotels during the regular season — largely due to the NCAA's travel budget for playoff teams. That night, my son and I headed to Case Western to meet the team for its pre-game practice under the lights at a beautiful stadium and complex. It was great to see our guys getting ready for a huge game and yet, you could tell they were having a blast and seemed very confident and loose.
Coach Creighton (above) actually stopped the practice midway through to ensure that they would be "dialed in" and focused — ready to play the next day. He actually told the team, "we will not lose this game tomorrow on this field!" Coach C always has the ability to say what is right, know the perfect time to say it, and know exactly how to deliver it. I was ready to start throwing forearms! I knew right then, we'd beat Case the next day.
While I walked the sidelines and talked to guys wishing them good luck, Owen was off to the side throwing with a guy named Dustin Huff. What was funny was that Owen, at first, didn't realize who he was throwing the ball with. Later when we got in the truck to return to the hotel, he asked me, Dad, was that Dustin Huff? I told him, "yes," and he smiled ear-to-ear and let out this super long "awe------some!"
When we returned to the hotel, there was a group of parents, family, and friends waiting on the team's arrival. My seven year-old daughter, Lily, had spent about two hours on Thanksgiving making cards to wish players good luck. She was so excited to pass them out which surprised me due to her typical shyness. She and Maggie (her "wing-girl") looked like roving reporters trying to get player interviews before the Super Bowl. The guys got a very big kick out of them and each one thanked them sincerely. My favorites were the cards she made for the captain (Adi, Roomes, Deig, and Russell) because of the special insert they had in them noting "Captains" or Ray Green's because she put #15 "Big Play Ray."
Game day was good from the start. We rolled into the stadium around 11 a.m. and it didn't take long to find a lot of the parents, alums, and Wabash fans tailgating in lot close to the stadium. Mr. Finley's 35-foot flag pole makes for an excellent landmark. The game was an absolute blast, a little nerve racking at times, but the team played well, and as expected, we defeated Case 38-23 to advance to the Elite Eight for the second time in six years.
After the game, the team came to the Wabash side of the stands to sing the school song. The entire team and coaches thanked the fans for their support. It was a very nice touch and a classy gesture to close a great day.
Whether you are a former player, a fan, a parent, or a current student — you couldn't help but feel tremendously proud of what this team has accomplished and probably more importantly what Wabash football stands for.
Now we are off to the next week for a stiff challenge at Wisconsin-Whitewater. Travel plans
are underway and we hope for a big following and a lot of RED. This team deserves it! I hope for another perfect weekend like last week's.
Whether we win or lose, I couldn't be prouder to be associated with this staff, this team, and this great college. I can guarantee one thing — guys like Pynenberg, Deig, Russell, Roomes, Green, Hilts, Banach, Bell, Guerrero and Co. will leave everything on the field and give 110%. It's as if they are will be playing with a battle cry of "Burn the Boats" mentality and WABASH ALWAYS FIGHTS!!!