February 2020 ROAR

REFLECTIONS
FEBRUARY
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Girls Varsity Basketball................2-5
Girls JV Basketball.......................6-7
Girls Frosh Basketball..................8-9
Cummings New Head Coach...10-11
Boys Varsity Basketball...........12-15
Boys JV Basketball.......................16
Boys Frosh Basketball..................17
Gymnastics............................18-20
Comeback Chronicles.............22-23
Wrestling................................24-25
Renaming of Stadium...................27
Bowling.......................................28
Middle School Cheer....................29
Where Are They Now?.............30-31
Extra Credit..................................32
* Cover Photo girls varsity basketball
captain Syd Reinke by “Papa” Razzi
Sports Phtography
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 18
Managing Editor
Jeannie Gregory
jeannie@rockfordroar.com
Director of Business Operations
Joel Koch
joel@rockfordroar.com
Rockford.ROAR
ROAR_Mag
ROAR_Mag
JEANNIE
GREGORY
ROAR Editor
Hello Ram Fans! The announcement of the Rams new
head football coach came with mercurial speed. ROAR
had to switch gears quickly to adjust to putting the
announcement in the February issue. What a great selection in
Brent Cummings! I’ve yet to hear a negative comment about
the man, and he has been in the Rams program for a very long
time. Losing Ralph was such a sad time for us Rockford lifers,
so it was nice to find out that the administration took some of
those emotions in their selection for Brent as head coach. There
will be a continuity for the program and Ralph’s vision. It’s
always interesting to find out a coach’s background and Brent’s
is steeped in experience and success.
Almost immediately after that announcement came another – the changing of
the name of Ted Carlson Memorial Stadium. What a nice, lasting tribute to a coach
who gave us so many wonderful memories on Friday nights under those lights.
This issue shines on plenty of Ram successes, but it really had me stepping back
to think about things. When I received answers from boys varsity basketball head
coach Kyle Clough, whose team started out at 1-6 on the season it really got me to
questioning our drive to win, and the coverage of it. At what cost? How much pressure
do we put on our athletes? How much pressure do they put on themselves?
How much pressure do we put on our coaches? I like Kyle, I have from the minute
I did my first interview with him. I like how cerebral he is about the game and
about his program. His game plan isn’t just thrown together, it is well-thought out.
There’s a reason he started his schedule the way he did and he explains it, candidly.
I admire his chops – a lot.
I also admire girls varsity basketball head coach Brad Wilson’s approach. I truly
admire him as a coach and a person. His team started their season 7-0. Those players
and coaches had to feel a lot of pressure to continue an undefeated streak that
stretched to 30-0 on the year for the program and 10-0 at the varsity level. What
an amazing accomplishment! What a tribute to all the players knowing their roles
and a coaching staff who leads the way! How much pressure did they feel to win?
How did it affect their love of the game? Did they enjoy it? I sure hope so, because it
was something special.
Let’s be honest, it’s a lot of fun to win. It’s why we play the game and strive to
always get better. It’s why we keep score. It’s why we gather in the stands of a stadium,
a natatorium, or a gym and cheer on our team. But it’s not all about winning,
it’s about losing, too. Some of the more important lessons in sports and in life
are learned when you lose. It certainly tests a team and player’s character more. It
makes you hungry for that “high” you get when you ring that victory bell.
The wonderful thing about Rockford coaches is win or lose, the players benefit
from the life lessons these dedicated men and women teach their young players.
They truly are concerned about them as individuals. They show they care no matter
the outcome of a competition – and that’s always a win.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Aunt Candy’s Toy Company
Bailey’s Quick Lube
Blakeslee Rop PLC
Bridge Street Burger Shack
Budget Blinds of Rockford
Cannonsburg Grist Mill
Cards of Wood
ChoiceOne Bank
Farmers Insurance
Five Star Food Express Rockford
Flo’s Collection
GBF Insurance
H&S Companies
High School Fan Stand
Innovative Builders & Remodelers
Integrity Tax Group
Kellermeier Plumbing
Lenderink Tree Farm
Mark of the Z Heating & Boilers
Mercy Health
Metro Health - University of Mich.
Pegasus Sports
Photo Evo North
Polly’s Passions
RE/MAX United
Robinet Physical Therapy
Rockford Chamber of Commerce
Rockford Realty
Rockford Hemp Company
Scott Lowing - MWA Rep
Servpro of NE Grand Rapids
Sparta Chevrolet
Team Mortgage Company
The Corner Office
The White Insurance Agency
Watson Rockford
Weingartz
Wolverine Youth Baseball
Young Insurance
FEBRUARY, 2020 ROCKFORDROAR.COM 1