A Trip Down Memory Lane

We attended a charity basketball game last night. It was a benefit for the Cpl. Stephen Bixler Foundation. (Stephen was a classmate of Ryan's who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq 2 years ago.) The game was a renewal of a rivalry between the 2000 Suffield High School State Championship team and the 2001 Windsor Locks State Championship team. Suffield was only missing one player from that team, Shannon Spears, who is currently serving in Iraq. (We missed you, Shannon.) Of course, many of the boys (men, now) are friends with each other and were happy to play for a worthy cause. As parents, it was fun to see each other and all the kids. We resumed our places on the bleachers and felt like it was right where we belonged.

The Class of 2003 had a big turnout - I'm sure they wanted to honor Stephen's memory.


Wiley and Braeden were instant hits with all the girls.



Wiley told me that they liked his sneakers and that they thought he looked like Ryan.



The girls all wanted to hold him (even though he's a little big for that... he obliged!) I asked him if he liked those girls. He paused for a minute, smiled and said, "kinda."



Just before the start of the game, the guys are lined up on the sideline.




Mike, Jeff and Robbie having a chat.



Mike Cotrone - I think we can all rest a little easier knowing he's guarding our country. The Army is paying for him to get his Masters in Counter-Terrorism. He told Robb, "Don't worry, Mr. Rice, I've got your back." He's about 6'5" and 250.



I think this is right after an airball (one of many, I'm afraid.)



Dan Presser - the organizer of the entire event. For those of you that know Dan, I'm sure you'll find that it's no surprise that he would be able to pull this off.



The starting line-up from that team (minus Jimmy... sorry, Jimmy - you were running the point, I'm sure.) Jeff (in the red shorts) is on his break from playing professionally in Europe.



After the game, the guys lined up together for a group picture. Having watched these kids grow up (literally, all of them from both towns,) I was so proud of the men they've become.



Here's a little video of the lay-up lines. Unfortunately, I didn't get any videos of the incredible dunks - I was too "caught up in the moment."



Thanks again, Dan. Your hard work and dedication to the Bixler Family is admirable.