The Observation Deck

I thought I'd take a head count to see how many observers plan to attend.

Game is at 7:30, and the weather is expected to be dry. The opponent is Berea, who LHS beat last year. Should be a good game. As mentioned in the print edition, I encourage everyone to check it out.

I have tinkered with the idea of someday having a pregame get-together or tailgate. If there is enough interest, perhaps it could be done.

I'll be there with my wife and three little ones.

Corey

My daughter and her friends are going but because of fear of violating curfew, they will be leaving at halftime .

I wish the council would reconsider this law. Don't they remember what it was like to be 13 or 14? Last night I was sitting on my front porch close 9:30 or so, and saw a 12 or 13 year old neighbor rushing his little sister home for fear of getting caught breaking curfew. He was engaged in the criminal activity of escorting her home from what appeared to be a birthday party held somewhere else in the neighborhood.

A nice kid, doing a nice thing for his sister and parents, worrying about getting in trouble with the law.

3 cameras in hand (after losing my telephoto lens) I was there. Nice crowd, great game. It meant a lot to the staff and athletic department because of the passing of head baseball coach Jerry Gruss this thursday.

They had a nice tribute, a moment of silence. we all faced the flag, which was flown half-way. I turned to rangerman (who's identity I know) and said "I'm glad I'm not facing the crowd". Very moving. Jerry will be greatly missed on the football sidelines, in the hallways, on the baseball field and certainly in each and every person's personal lives as a dear friend.

On a positive note; new runningback (and speedy base stealer for varsity baseball) Robert Trivett must've had over 200 yards rushing and had 3 touchdowns. He was Coach Gruss' favorite player, so we all know that Jerry is up above in a better place smiling down at Lakewood Stadium tonight.

Coach Gruss will be greatly missed. I first met Coach when he was a teacher and I was a student at St. Eds in the early 1980s. I got to know him because he was a cafeteria monitor during my lunch period. He always made time to chat with the students, mostly talking sports. He treated everyone with great dignity and respect. It was a loss to St. Eds when he left.

He came to LHS, where he coached JV baseball for many years before becoming varsity head coach in 2000. He had great success with the varsity program both on and off the field.

Coach Gruss greatly loved Lakewood, Lakewood High and all the ideals of sport.

Look for lots more about Coach Gruss in the next print edition.

Todd will also have a writeup of tonight's game, which was by far the best I have seen this team in many years. The new offensive scheme is a great idea, and the team's numbers (roster size) is up. Berea is not a great team, but there is reason for some optimism in Rangerland.

The biggest shock of the night came from Strongsville, where the Mustangs beat St. Eds 39-0. This means two things:

1. Rumblings about Coach Gibbons' dismissal will grow louder
2. I know one former Lakewood councilman who will be hearing about this from his wife for the next 52 weeks.

Photos are up.
http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... -football/

"Coach Gruss was like a big brother to me" Curly the utility man said to me during the game. "He helped me out through all my problems."

Coach Gruss will be missed. He has done a lot for me. He's been my mentor and close friend, and I always went to him for advice. This experience is teaching me a lot about myself and life as a whole. He's a great man, husband, father, coach, teacher, friend, a big brother. I miss him terribly.

Spectacular shots Ivor,

I've said this before, and it bears repeating here:

A teacher like Coach Gruss often may not achieve the fame, or make the money, or even achieve the widespread recognition of some national figure. Generally, teachers don't get some big granite statue as their monument, sitting out in some public park.

Instead, they get an even better monument.

You.

You, their students will become their monuments. The ripple effect of their influence will resound for years in your memories and in your lives.

Live to honor Coach Gruss. In so doing, you too, will live for others, and you will live forever in those hearts, as well.