Four of the schools have made the trip so many times the students, families, and fans could give tours and work any of the volunteer shifts like they had lived here their whole life.
Mt. Prospect, Lombard, Roselle, and Portage have probably been to most, if not every one of the Janesville Lutheran Invitation Tournaments.
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Jockeying for poster space along the wall in the tunnel between the church and the school became an early tradition. The tunnel wasn't always painted in school colors as it is now, but come tournament weekend Flames boosters allows space for Comets, Eagles, Tigers, Crusaders, and the rest of the teams.
In the church basement we learned to call the Fellowship Hall - is where comforts and taste of home can be found. There is a buffet worth of home-made desserts to choose first, before you get to the kitchen to select your warm meal.
.JPG)
Laughter amidst conversation and eyes focused on the large screen shows diners the game underway in the gymnasium via closed circuit television that has been "broadcasting" the game as far back as I remember.
Yardsticks of time are a measuring stick for home fans and those attending more than just a handful of games.
I was asked about the current beautiful wood court used for the games and if I had seen the wood court it replaced.
No, I had not. In fact back in "my day" the gym floor was made of tile. A tile floor that was cleaned with a large floor broom every time the game stopped.
.JPG)
The lights now are brighter (LED, is my guess) that went off for the home team's introduction while colorful lights flashed around the room.
I recall fluorescent fixtures and one time when a metal guard covering the lights hanging above the court came loose crashing to the floor where it left a half inch deep gash behind. We were blessed no one was in the area. (That didn't happen during the JLIT.)
The kids look young and smaller than I remember. Of course, when I was playing anyone taller than 5'5" seemed like a giant.
A visiting alumnus these days instead of volunteer - I quite enjoyed walking around the school and church and seeing the little touches (Booster buttons made for fans of each team, for example) and the smiling hospitality.
It is a great place to catch up with those you haven't seen in a while... I'll share some thoughts on that tomorrow.
Mt. Prospect, Lombard, Roselle, and Portage have probably been to most, if not every one of the Janesville Lutheran Invitation Tournaments.
Jockeying for poster space along the wall in the tunnel between the church and the school became an early tradition. The tunnel wasn't always painted in school colors as it is now, but come tournament weekend Flames boosters allows space for Comets, Eagles, Tigers, Crusaders, and the rest of the teams.
In the church basement we learned to call the Fellowship Hall - is where comforts and taste of home can be found. There is a buffet worth of home-made desserts to choose first, before you get to the kitchen to select your warm meal.
Laughter amidst conversation and eyes focused on the large screen shows diners the game underway in the gymnasium via closed circuit television that has been "broadcasting" the game as far back as I remember.Yardsticks of time are a measuring stick for home fans and those attending more than just a handful of games.
I was asked about the current beautiful wood court used for the games and if I had seen the wood court it replaced.
No, I had not. In fact back in "my day" the gym floor was made of tile. A tile floor that was cleaned with a large floor broom every time the game stopped.
The lights now are brighter (LED, is my guess) that went off for the home team's introduction while colorful lights flashed around the room. I recall fluorescent fixtures and one time when a metal guard covering the lights hanging above the court came loose crashing to the floor where it left a half inch deep gash behind. We were blessed no one was in the area. (That didn't happen during the JLIT.)
The kids look young and smaller than I remember. Of course, when I was playing anyone taller than 5'5" seemed like a giant.
A visiting alumnus these days instead of volunteer - I quite enjoyed walking around the school and church and seeing the little touches (Booster buttons made for fans of each team, for example) and the smiling hospitality.
It is a great place to catch up with those you haven't seen in a while... I'll share some thoughts on that tomorrow.
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