Point After: Champions Do it With Class
CHARLOTTESTVILLE, VA - As far as I'm concerned, it couldn't have happened to a classier group of coaches and players. I'm referring to Stone Bridge and Westfield, who both claimed state championships on Saturday at UVA. After watching both the division 5 and division 6 state title games yesterday, I began to realize why both Stone Bridge and Westfield are the best in the state of Virginia.
Both programs are led by arguably two of the best coaches in the state. Westfield's Tom Verbanic and Stone Bridge's Mickey Thompson have led their programs to more wins than anyone in the state over the past 6 years, and now both can say they were without contest the best in 2007.
But what makes these two coaches special is how they go about building their programs. They are both intense on the football field, and I've seen them both get fired up when their teams aren't playing well, however, for the most part, they are extremely poised in pressure situations. They are respectful of everyone that approaches them, and they coach the game the right way, with class.
Their confidence in big games exudes to their players, and it stems from their preparation during the week. They both trust their coaching staffs to get the game plan in place, and they are both two of the best at managing a football game. They run entirely two different schemes offensively, but they both reach the same result in the end; winning.
After interviewing several of the players from both teams after the games yesterday, it became even more apparent to me that Verbanic and Thompson are teaching their kids more than just football.
To a man, every youngster interviewed did nothing but praise his team, his coaches, and commend the other team on a great game. While that might sound like no big deal, it is. The young men who play for Stone Bridge and Westfield are learning how to be successful in life from two guys who are the epitome of success. A state championship is a great life changing event, but learning how to respect others, win with humility and grace, and most all, credit others for your successes are lessons that can last a lifetime.
We've all seen and watched teams on television that win championships but along the way, they boast about how good they are, or taunt their competitors at every chance. It makes you want to root against them, and it also makes watching them celebrate a title bitter sweet.
That was far from the case Saturday when Westfield and Stone Bridge won it all. The classy way they handled themselves made me a bigger fan of both programs. It takes a total team effort to win a championship, and in the case of Westfield and Stone Bridge, a total program effort.
Alumni from both programs were on hand in attendance cheering their fellow teammates on during both games. We saw big brother Sean Glennon smiling ear to ear after watching his little brother Mike win every game his senior season and claim another Westfield state championship.
On the sidelines for Stone Bridge was two-time All Gameday quarterback Terence Glenn. Glenn and many more former Bulldogs made the trip to Charlottesville to show their support, and when the final gun sounded, you couldn't tell the difference between current and former players as they both stormed the field in celebration.
Thompson and Verbanic have built a football family at Stone Bridge and Westfield, and just like with most families, everyone is always welcome back home. A win is a win for everyone, and on Saturday, every player that has ever put on a Bulldog uniform became a state champion.
You can analyze the football side of how Westfield and Stone Bridge became champions in 2007 all you want, but for me, there is more to winning than X's and O's. Nobody understands that more than the two championship coaches yesterday.......
