Banquet a fitting way to honor student athletes, give closure to season

It’s been a couple of years since I took advantage of an annual invitation to attend the end of the season basketball banquet, but this past Monday night I enjoyed a couple of hours in just that setting at the Clinton County High School cafeteria.

As I noted a few weeks ago when both the Lady Bulldogs’ and Bulldogs’ seasons came to an end, this past season had been one of the most enjoyable years and the experience of covering both teams as well as working another public address season had been one of the most fun, and heartbreaking at the end, of any I could remember in a long time.

But Monday night’s banquet was a chance for everyone to come together once again for a short time and officially put a cap on the 2014-15 basketball season.

Student athletes from both the Lady Bulldogs and Bulldogs as well as from the cheerleading squads, enjoyed the informal meal and gathering alongside team coaching staffs, support staff members, parents and family, and fans.

Low key, non-rushed and appropriate might best describe the atmosphere Monday night and it appeared that everyone attending the gathering had an enjoyable evening.

The most important aspect of the night was seeing the team members showered with awards and accolades, with records and accomplishments being announced during the final awards ceremony, as those in the audience acknowledged with applause.

Coaches thanked parents and fans and handed out awards, both in the athletic category as well as recognizing academic excellence among the players.

Handshakes, high fives and hugs went all around throughout the awards ceremony and as it should be, seniors were put on the highest pedestals of the evening.

Records and accomplishments were again announced and the coaches recapped the seasons and expressed how much they enjoyed being around the young men and women that made up these teams this past season.

With most of the pain of those final season ending losses now behind all of us, the annual banquet is always an enjoyable event that allows those wearing the blue and white to once again be told how much their efforts are appreciated, and as it should be, hold the spotlight one last time and bring some closure to what was a fantastic year.

Again – thanks Dawgs and Lady Dawgs for letting me enjoy it with you!