An Imaginary conversation between the coach and his wife.

The Senior Bulldog players.

Today was Seniors Night for boys volleyball. Seniors night is kind of like the Homecoming game for the volleyball season where they recognize the seniors for their play, and any give honorable mention for any outstanding attributes. This is usually a big game for any school because nobody wants to lose on senior night. Jeff was all geared up for this game, although they were playing a team that does not have the best record. The boys always start their game by having warm ups. This is partially to limber up before the game, but mostly it is a chance to practice killing the ball and intimidating the other team. What happened after the warm ups is worth exploring and possibly even embelishing a little bit in order to make a complete story.

For the past 2 years the coaches wife has been bugging the coach to have Jeff sing the National Anthem. He has done it several times, just not before one of his games. I would imagine that the conversation at coach Nelsons house has been something like this for the past two years. Wife "you know what I would really like to hear before a game honey". Coach "No dear, what?"

Wife "I would really like it if Jeff M would sing the national anthem, He did it once when he was on JV and it sounded pretty good." Coach "Honey, that is just not going to happen, this is Varsity, we don't do things like that" Wife "how come?" Coach "Well for one, my players need to begin focusing on the game, I am afraid that it will be a distraction to Jeff and the other boys, besides, what will the other team think if one of our players gets up and sings, it just isn't right."

Wife "Well, I want to hear him, he is a senior and this will probably be my last chance to see if he has gotten any better." Coach "Honey, I'm sorry, but this is my final decision, players don't sing at their own games.

Fast forward to the day of the game. The boys are hitting strong in warm ups, the other team is terrified of the 7' 4" Staker and his ball crushing abilities. The coach is happy, until he looks in the stand and catches the glance from the wife. He tries to ignore it, but she has locked in her sights and will not stop looking at him. Coach "Mecham, come here for a minute". Jeff "yes coach" Coach "your singing the national anthem tonight." Confused Jeff "Umm, Ok."

I don't know that this is exactly how it went down, but I think that I might not be too far off with my filling in the blanks. Jeff did sing the National Anthem and then they proceeded to kill the other team. Here are a couple pictures after the game. I had to do a re-shoot, because i was stuck in traffic on the way across town and missed the begining ceremony (I know, not father of the year award again).

G&G Mecham came to watch, so did Randy and Bri. Doesn't everyone look happy to be there.

After we were done taking the group photo Bri came over to me and asked if I could get a better close up of her and Randy. She pushed everyone out of the way and I was able to get this shot of them together.

I showed her the picture and she thought that maybe there should be more picture of her and less of Randy, so I tried again. I hope that this is close enogh Bri. (hopefully everyone knows I am messing with her on this one)

Anyway, it was a fun night and It was fun to have the family come watch. Next high school sports season is football. Tim is already looking forward to football camp and we are getting ready to watch him play again.