Past Glories

Larry clapped his hands as he watched the high school football practice. 

“Good job!”

His loud voice echoed over the field and several heads turned toward him. 

Larry turned to a man to his left.

“They boys looked good against Thompson last week, Ronald. Carrollton will test them though. They have a hell of a secondary that will limit our pass options.”

Ronald glanced at Larry, then looked down at his clipboard.

He pointed at two boys on the sidelines and said, “You guys switch with Andrews and Hall.”

When they were out of earshot, Ronald turned to Larry.

“Travis wants to see you about something. He said it was important.”

Larry smiled.

“Of course. Travis and I go back a long time.”

Ronald nodded.

“I know. He’s in his office.”

Ronald turned toward the field, leaving Larry to find Travis. 

Larry walked toward the athletic center. As he made his way to the building, Larry thought about why Travis would send another coach to fetch him instead of coming himself. Larry and Travis were close friends and had been for a long time. 

Larry looked at the huge logo painted on either side of the entrance facing the field. 

Two armored knights painted in blue, white, and gold, sat on rearing horses on either side of the door. Above the door, the words ‘Estermont Crusaders’ were painted in old English script. Larry smiled as he reached up and slapped the top of the door, just below the phrase. Larry observed small groups of athletes as he moved through the gym. Cheerleaders, basketball players, and even some track and field team members stretched, jogged, or went through their routines. Some of them waved at Larry as he walked past them. Larry reached a hallway near the end of the building and turned toward an open office. 

Larry knocked on the open door.

“Hey Travis,” he said. “Ron said that you wanted to see me.”

Travis smiled and waved Larry to a chair.

“How are you,” Travis asked.

“I’m good. I was taking a look at the team and they are amazing.”

Travis nodded.

“Those boys have come a long way since I became head coach. I thought my first season would be my last. We were terrible and I didn't see a way to get better. At least, not at first.”

Larry laughed as he sat back in the chair.

“So what happened.”

“I found a great team of recruiters.”

Larry smiled.

“I did my best, and was happy to help.”

Travis smiled.

“You did great. You have a real gift.”

Larry leaned forward saying, “Travis, I don't think you called me here to pat me on the back. We have been friends a long time, and whatever you have to tell me, you can come out and just say it.”

Travis nodded.

“Larry, I appreciate everything you have done for us, but I need you to stick to recruiting. You have to stop trying to coach my players.”

Larry felt Travis’ words like a physical blow.

“Travis, I would never do anything to undermine your authority.”

“You might not mean to, but that’s what you are doing, Larry.”

Larry opened his mouth to reply, but Travis said, “Let’s take a walk. I don’t want anyone to overhear and misunderstand our conversation.”

Larry nodded and the two men walked out of the office toward the front door. They said nothing until they were in the parking lot.

Travis gestured to his black pickup and dropped the tailgate. He sat down and looked at Larry.

“No one will bother us out here. I use my truck as the ultimate safe zone.”

Larry leaned against the truck.

“Just like Coach Harding. I learned a lot from him, God rest his soul.”

“Yeah, me too.” 

Travis drew in a breath and released it in a sigh.

“Ok, no more stalling. I wanted to tell you that I can’t let you advise or coach my players. Also, some players are uncomfortable with you being so close to the team.

Larry put his hands up and said, “Whoa, wait a second. What does that mean?”

Travis shook his head.

“You haven't been accused of anything inappropriate. It’s just that more and more players only know you as a recruiter. The guys who knew you as a player and coach are long gone. Those who are coming in now find out you played for Estermont when we watch a game film or they see you on the wall of fame.”

Larry smiled.

“Thanks for making me feel old.”

Larry ran a hand through his blond hair. 

“I’m only trying to help, Travis. We did the same for Coach Harding.”

Travis nodded.

“We did. But that was a different time. Football has changed dramatically in the past twenty years, and so have I. I realized that much of the game we played and the way it was coached is gone. I think that’s why I had so much trouble coaching the first few seasons. I was trying to coach a generation of kids the same way we were coached. I was coaching from a twenty-year-old playbook, and it didn’t work, at least not the way I thought it should. So I had to change. Once I did, things began to improve.”

Travis motioned to Larry.

“Your perspective of the game did not change as much because it didn’t have to. That’s not necessarily your fault, though. You aren’t a coach, so it's not something that concerns you.”

Larry crossed his arms.

“Travis, I love football. It’s one of the few things I was good at. I missed my shot at the pros, but I still wanted to contribute to the sport. That’s why I started my training center. I may not have been a coach, but I knew enough to help others get where they wanted to go. I have helped a lot of people and I did it my way. The way we both were taught to do it.”

Travis nodded.

“You are good at what you do, and you have helped people. Why do you think that I insisted on you being my mom’s personal trainer after her accident? You are the best trainer I know.” 

Larry smiled and said, “I was thrilled when Estermont Acadamy asked me to recruit for their athletic program. I thought that this was a chance to help my school and my best friend succeed.”  

Travis stood and gripped Larry’s shoulder.

“You did help us succeed. Estermont is a top-five school in the county and the top twenty in the state. Much of that is thanks to your work.”

Larry nodded.

“But despite all that, you want me to step away from the team. The team that I helped bring to you.”

Travis sighed.

“It’s like a a farmer who grew the wheat or raised the cows that a five-star restaurant serves. The farmer can’t go into the kitchen and start cooking with the chef. The farmer did his job, now the chef has to do his.”

Larry turned and looked around at the surrounding buildings. He had spent years at Estermont Acadamy as a student, coach, and now a recruiter. A part of Larry felt that he was owed more gratitude for his effort. But he knew Travis was right. Larry had done his job and done it well. He needed to be content with that. 

Larry put his hands on his hips.

“You are right, Travis. I’m sorry if I caused you any trouble. I really was only trying to help.”

Travis offered his hand and Larry shook it.

“I know. I appreciate everything you have done for the school, but it's time to let me cook.”

Larry laughed and the two men walked back towards the gym.