This weekend I will be making my last trip to the Boise Optimist fields as a football dad. It’s a trip I have been making for the last seven years. The Optimist organization deserves a lot of credit for what they do. The coaches did an outstanding job teaching my sons how to compete, and have fun, win or lose. It’s been a pleasure getting to know the kids and watching them get better. But, like any parent, there are things I will and won’t miss about Optimist football.
Things I will miss about Optimist Football:
Practices being held at the school on the other side of my backyard. No drop off or pick up!
My two donuts and cup of coffee at early games. One Apple fritter and one maple bar!
Hot air balloons flying over the fields.
Sweating out the weigh-in at the Jamboree! Although we were 3-0!
Team moms who make sure there is a year-end party.
The year-end party! I’ll bring the chips!
Teams named after restaurants, dentists, insurance companies and auto body repair shops. There’s nothing like a good rivalry between the BIG JUD’S LIONS and COTTONWOOD CREEK DENTAL.
Things I won’t miss about Optimist Football:
Fundraisers! Oh, how I hate fundraisers!
The dreaded “picture packet.” Just one team photo and two 5×7’s please!
Driving around the parking lot looking for a spot! Any spot at all!
Showing up an hour before the game time.
Writing checks for things like a $20 pair of socks with the team’s name on them. Is that Necessary?
The parent tunnel after games. I never ran though a tunnel and I eventually turned out fine!
Trying to remember if I signed up for snacks or drinks on my treat day.
So after 56 Optimist football Saturdays it comes to an end this weekend. I don’t know if I should feel glad or sad!