Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor

“The Other Side of the Hometown Showdown” Had I not spent a number of years in West Memphis, reading the Evening Times and knowing of its caliber, I might have been surprised that the article regarding AWM storming the field was deemed worthy of placement in the sport's section of Monday's paper. The whole article was dedicated to bemoaning the ill manners of Blue Devil fans. West Memphians have long been used to the sour grapes of our neighbors. Yes, the game is a huge game, probably the most heavily attended of the year for the fans of both teams. So big is the game, in fact, that this year Marion dedicated the whole week as a “spirit week”, a tradition usually reserved for Homecoming games only. When the game ended and it was clear West Memphis had once again remained victorious, an exuberant crowd of students and parents did go on the field to celebrate with the players. Had I not had brain surgery two years ago, I might have scaled the fence as well. At this point, it was not about Marion at all. It was about our families and student body wanting to celebrate with our players. It was a display of school spirit and unity for us. While it was unfortunate that the players did not immediately line up for the traditional “good game” tidings, once our players realized their mistake, they went to the Marion huddle to make it right. They were turned away. That did not garner a mention in the article from Coach Davis or anyone else. Since when is going down on the field after a game not acceptable? Blue Devil fans go onto our field after all of our games. It is our way of sharing the experience with our players, a celebration that if delayed, doesn't have quite the same effect. We splash water on our field too; (it rains on turf, does it not?) we walk on the markings and logos that are on our turf. (Why wouldn't we? If football cleats do not damage the images, I fail to see how Toms and Converse Chucks could do so.) So, yes, Marion, we celebrated on your field in front of you. I do not see the first thing wrong with that. Coach Davis stated that we cannot have it both ways: either we are a rival or we are not a rival. Perhaps I can clarify: Marion is our rival in the sense that our desire to beat you is the strongest of all the teams we play all year. I personally want to beat the daylights out of Marion every year. I even told my son he couldn't come home if he let those Patriots win. However, a rival simply means a competitor. The fact that you have not been much of a challenge for us over the 13-year span would indicate that you are not much of a rival. So what is seemingly double talk to Coach Davis is now clarified. We do have it both ways, Coach.

In closing, there is only one thing Marion can do to ensure 100% that those mean Devils don't storm their field in a celebratory manner and spill water on their turf and hurt the feelings of their players by not telling them they played a good game, whether they did or not. One thing: Win the game. Problem solved. See you next year at our house.

Donna Hall Nanney WMHS Class of 1985 “Once a Blue Devil, Always a Blue Devil” -unapologetically.

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