GO BIG RED!! STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BOUND!!
In honor of the Bellevue Redmen football team preparing to play for its first state championship in football, I am posting some of my favorite photos from when I covered the Redmen.
After graduating from Bowling Green State University, I accepted a job as a reporter at the Bellevue Gazette in 1990. I got to cover such "exciting" things as city council meetings and budget meetings.
When Neil Carlson, the sports editor at the time, couldn't cover a game on a Friday night, that job fell to me. I still remember that game to this day: It was the Bellevue Redmen against the Bucyrus Redmen. I was nervous about covering the game, but I enjoyed every second of it. I fell in love with the Bellevue football team that day. As they say, you never forget your first love.
GREAT PLAYERS
I ended up covering the Redmen from 1990 to 2000. I covered several great teams, most of them winning NOL championships. I covered some truly remarkable players: Eddie Baptista, Chad Kuhns, Russ Kuhns, Brad Bollinger, Randy Bollinger, John Bollinger, Danny Paul, Tommy Mygrant, Jason Nichols, Dan Rospert, Ryan Irons, Bubba Nottke, Brad Snyder, Mike Loparo, Justin Journay, Duke Fox, Pete Lepley, Aaron Schoen, Nate Artino, Brandon Branco, Courtney DeLuca, Chris Sharp, Brian Hughes, Brad Rohrbacher and so many others.
GREAT COACHES
The coaching staff was incredible. Coach Ed Nasonti seemed like he could be a bit intimidating at first, especially to a rookie reporter, but he is one of the nicest guys I've ever met. He truly loves his hometown of Bellevue, he truly loves his Redmen football, he truly loves his fans and he truly loves his family. His players look up to him for a reason. I couldn't be happier for, or prouder of, Coach Nasonti.He's got some great assistant coaches as well. Some of my favorites that I worked with are Coach Lilli, Coach Raifsnider, Coach Hofacker and Coach Meador.
I enjoyed spending my Friday nights on the field at BAF Stadium. I loved watching the kids rush onto the field behind their coach. I loved watching them work their tails off each game. They were great players but, even better than that, they were great young men. Classy young men.
GREAT CHEERLEADERS
The whole game-day atmosphere was special to me. The stands were always packed with great fans. I loved the student-athletes who took up the first few rows and cheered on their classmates so loudly. They were proud to be Redmen. They are still proud to be Redmen.The cheerleaders were awesome too. They truly loved what they were doing, awesome gals like Carolyn Wenner, Angie Bickhart, Kathryn Malott, Heather Rutherford, Val Gohlike, Liz Studer and Cindy Brooks. And the band was always amazing.
GREAT MEMORIES
Even though I've been gone for 12 years, I still think about Coach Nasonti, the Bellevue Redmen, and the city of Bellevue fondly. Some of the best years of my life were spent in Bellevue. I've covered several teams over the years, and I've covered many levels of football, from high school to college to the pros, but I will always hold a special place in my heart for the Redmen.In fact, Bellevue, the Redmen and Coach Nasonti are key aspects in my book, "Home Run from Heaven." Here is what the book is about:
Dylan Bell, a freshman in high school, grew up idolizing his
father, who played ten years of Major League Baseball. When his father passed away because of
cancer, Dylan was heartbroken. But
thanks to a loving family, a supportive girlfriend, a close bond with
teammates, a crazy puppy, and a strong faith, Dylan grows as a baseball player
and as a young man. With a little bit of
help, and a lot of faith, Dylan just may be able to lead the Hudson Redmen to a
place they have never been before in school history.
Here are two blurbs from the book:
Coach Nasonti gives us his best pre-game speech of the
season. He gives everybody in the dugout
goose bumps. Coach certainly knows how
to get us fired up.
“Look, fellahs. You know what’s on the line tonight,” Coach
Nasonti says, while rubbing a baseball in his hands. “We all know that pitcher over there is
good. And he’s big. But you know what, fellahs? The bigger they are, the harder they fall.”
“Yeah, the bigger they are, the
harder they fall,” Brian yells from behind the dugout, before racing back to do
his job as crowd energizer.
“I tell you what, fellahs. I believe in you,” Coach Nasonti
continues. “I know Coach Raifsnider
believes in you, too. I know these fans
believe in you. I know you believe in
each other. That’s half the battle right
there, fellahs. Now let’s go send those
other boys home. Get your hands in
here.”
We all put our hands together and
chant, “Together! Believe! Faith! Redmen!"We pile off one another and then head to right field to listen to Coach Nasonti’s post game speech.
“I’m going to keep this one short
and sweet, fellahs,” Coach Nasonti announces.
“There is a long tradition of Redmen greatness. When you put on the red and white uniform, I
want you to wear it with pride. I want
you to look at that feather and be proud.
I know each and every one of you has done that this season. Win or lose, I’m proud of you. You guys have shown great character besides
being great players, and that makes me even prouder.”
For more information about the book, or if you want to order one or get a Kindle version, clink on the link or send me a message to kevtrav77@yahoo.com. I would be happy to sign a book for you.http://www.amazon.com/Kevin-Travis/e/B009SCI224
SO DARN PROUD
I'm so darn proud of Coach Nasonti and the Redmen. One of my favorite memories is sitting on Coach Nasonti's porch and talking about football, and about life, with him.I'm looking forward to doing that again...talking about life, and talking about Bellevue's first state championship after the Redmen beat Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary on Saturday. Make some history!!
GO BIG RED!!
