The lights of the field are off. There are no cars in the parking lot. The muted sounds of cheering and groans of disappointment after a missed shot no longer waft gently through my window. The rectory no longer has the subtle but wonderful smell of BBQ lingering like perfume in the hallway. Sigh…. Deep sigh…
I MISS the SPRENKE tournament.
Thanks to all of you who labored so long and tirelessly to make the 54th annual tournament such a hoot. It is one of the times that I am so proud of this parish. I watch as some Men’s club members grill night upon night over the hot coals. I watch as others line the field and cut the grass and attend to the soccer goals. I watchas our St. Ann School parents staff the concession stand and deal patiently with the children who can’t quite decide what color ring popthey really want. I hear coaches exhorting their charges to ‘push forward’ or ‘get back on defense.’ I see the breathless faces of the little ones fresh from a stint on the playground, asking mom or dad for ‘more time’ to slide the slide and play with their buddies. I see a group of 9th grade alums and current students playing a serious game of kickball on the playground parking lot.
And then there are the packed sidelines, filled with parents and grandparents and alums and guest, milling and bustling about. I see the families who gather for the tributes to the Men’s Club members who passed away way too soon. I hear the rosters of the teams being announced over the P.A. system, and watch as another generation of Sprenke Athletes make that mad dash to the middle of the field, to high five their teammates and to wave to their fans before the game starts. I am a part of endless conversations with alums and parishioner ‘catching up’ on life.
The invisible workers show up, long after everyone else has gone home, or rising early in the morning, or coming in long before the first game of the day ever starts to make sure the ‘tatoe’s are done, the recyclables get to where they need to be, that the trash is picked up, and the grounds are returned to their pristine goodness.
On championship weekend, I watch as one St. Ann team goes to extra time and then penalty kicks to see who takes home the big trophies. And, wonderfully, in the final game of the tournament, I see our 8th grade girls’ team claim their 5th (6th?) and final Sprenke Championship trophies in a well fought and entertaining match. All too soon, it seems, the big lights are turned out. Families drag resisting children back home for much needed sleep. The signs advertising food and beverage costs are taken down. Tables are put up, and the 54th Msgr. Sprenke Tournament winds to another successful conclusion.
Well done, one and all! You have done St. Ann Parish proud!