Fresno High Senate Stogie Bowl Football

On Thanksgiving morning, I played my 27th consecutive Stogie Bowl football game. Sometimes, I think that the Fresno High Senate is a football club with an educational service problem, but the Senate is most likely the oldest high school club of its kind in the United States. (I wrote about the Stogie Bowl and Senate last year.)

For 125 years, Fresno High's brightest students attend weekly meetings and learn how to speak and debate. Students learn how to run meetings and organize events. Perhaps most importantly, students learn how to disagree agreeably. For two years, I wore a tie every Monday evening so that I could play football on Thanksgiving.

I often wonder why the football game is so important me. I rarely attend the annual banquet. I rarely attend the school meetings, even though the active students would stand for me and applaud. And listen to whatever I say, because that is the tradition.

Today, as I was preparing my post for the 2010 Stogie Bowl, I remembered one reason the Stogie Bowl was so important.

Fresno High Senate Stogie Bowl 2010 - Images by bryan farley

When my friend Jason Gray recommended Senate in 1984, I hesitated. Senate met every Monday. In 1984, Dandy Don Meredith still announced Monday Night Football. (Howard Cosell announced until 1983). Monday Night Football was an event, especially for a sports fan. I think Jason swayed me with two arguments.  (Jason is a salesperson now.) First, there was football. I forget the other arguments, but they were good. If I were going to join another educational activity, at least I could play football on Thanksgiving.  I have played every Thanksgiving since 1984. 

 Read more about Dandy Don on the NFL site.

At this year's event, someone from the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, 00' and 10' spoke during half-time. Successful business people spoke about how Senate shaped them. Others spoke about how Senate and Fresno High influenced Fresno. There were conservatives and liberals; men and women, and people of many different ethnic backgrounds.  Our club is still teaching students how to succeed in a complex world.

And then there was the game...

Looking at the photos, I am impressed by how the younger kids have not quite found themselves. They huddle in their group. They wonder how they are going to make it against us older people. During the game, they often run fast with their heads down. Without a plan. 

Then, they join our side after they graduate and they often learn why we win. Sometimes I yell at the new kids when they do not follow directions. I correct them, and I wonder if they think I am crazy. I wonder if they look at me and think, "Why does he take this so seriously?" And I answer to myself, "If you think I take this seriously, you should watch me do something that really matters."

but this game really matters, or I would not keep showing.

Comments

[Lisa]

Dear Bryan, my sons call you "crazy Stogie Bowl guy". I hope this makes you smile :) and, don't stop going because it matters that you're there...

[bryan farley]

Thanks for commenting Lisa.

Hearing that I am the "crazy stogie bowl guy" definitely makes me smile. sounds appropriate.

Some day, maybe your children will be the crazy stogie brothers and yell at kids who have not yet been born.

Hope to meet you one day,

bf

[James D. Leach, S.E.]

Bryan, How about showing up this year, March 12, at the Senate Banquet. It will be at the Four Point Sheraton, 3737 Blackstone. I will be coming down from Alameda to play golf with my brother, John Leach, on Saturday. I believe I haven't missed a banquet since my graduation in 1947 except for two years when I was drafted into the army. Since I left home (like Abraham) and have lived in the S.F. Bay Area since, I never got to the Thanksgiving
football games, but they sound like fun.

[bryan farley]

Wow!

I thought I was committed.

Not sure if you saw that I live in Oakland. I am trying to make it, especially after read your message. I will contact you through your contact info. I would also enjoy connecting with you soon.

BF