Didn't they win back then? I thought some of these things changed when Tom Duffy became head coach.

 

My memory may be faulty, but I think Dale made more changes to the traditions than Tom did. Which I'm fine with. Things change and I understand that concept.

 

Playtowin, thanks for mentioning my Dad as a member of the old Cannon Crew. Brought back great memories of him. Like the time he showed up at Henry's door when she was just a little girl looking for more gun powder. He scared the heck out of her. Little did they both know, that years later Henry would be marrying his son. Or the time, as part of the 75 state championship procession through town, my Dad loaded the cannon into the bed of his pick up (which was being driven by the fine gentleman whom is now my father-in-law and whom purchased the cannon back in 1968). The police escort told my Dad he better not be planning on firing the cannon from the back of the pick up truck (if you knew my Dad, it was very reasonable for the police officer to think my Dad would do it). Without warning my future father-in-law, my Dad fired it as the truck was moving through town. Jolted the heck out of th truck and scared the beejeezus out of everyone except those in the bed of the truck. Police escort stopped the procession and told Dad not to do that again. As soon as the procession started moving, Dad popped off another shot. Police officer just gave up at that point. Which of course caused my Dad to not fire it again during the rest of the procession. Great memories. Dad was quite the character.

I was thinking, why couldn't the cannon sound be "pipped in"? Show a graphic of the cannon going off on the video board with the sound on the PA? I'm sure somebody had to have thought of this.

 

Of course as an opposing player, I hated that damn cannon but understood the tradition.

We were saying the same thing at the last game! I think that would be an awesome way to continue the legacy of that part of Bluebird history.

Didn't they win back then? I thought some of these things changed when Tom Duffy became head coach.

 

Some of these were changed during Duffy and some after. I know Duffy teams wore a Highlands polo on game days and got rid of the bikes.

 

I also remember the girls would wear a players jersey on game day.

I think that when the birds run out through the gauntlet that someone should run out pulling the cannon. I wish it was incorporated in some way

I think that when the birds run out through the gauntlet that someone should run out pulling the cannon. I wish it was incorporated in some way

Yeah, I thought that would be a good way to do it too.

The best new tradition is the kids wearing their jr. football league jersey on Thursday nights. Love it.

 

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1000% agreement. I LOVE that tradition.

I'm sure this has been posted before but I was wondering about a couple things the other day and thought I would see if there were any thoughts on this...

 

Not to take anything away from all the success the program has had in the "Dale" era, but when did some of the traditions that I grew up with begin to disappear at Highlands? Such as...

 

Riding bikes to practice and not being allowed to ride in cars during summer practice... I remember the guys from Southgate had to leave their bikes at someone's house while the bridge over 471 was being built.

 

Curfew at 8:29 during the week

 

Burr haircuts... Not a coaches rule but self policed. I remember riding around town prior to practice starting and "taking care" of those not yet on board with the hair style. My mother still hasn't forgiven me for getting mine two days before my senior picture. Those haircuts weren't cool in the 70s and 80s... Unless you played football as a Bird.

 

Keeping your helmet on during the game, whether playing or not...

 

These are just a few I'm sure, but since when did they start to disappear and why?

 

Though we all tend to remember the old days and the old ways as 'the good old days', sometimes it's just not so. Though traditions are great and some enjoyable there are many that want to hang on to things just for the sake of keeping things the same old way. Others feel like such traditions actually win games. Though all of that stuff contributed in some way to Highlands being Highlands it's impact on any particular game is nil. It was all fun and I am glad it existed but just like the leisure suite, the Vega, and the hairstyles that we wore in off season, their time has gone.

 

Some things changed from necessity like the cannon, and I don't think we really want to ask the cheerleaders to go to the players homes and kiss them on the cheek these days. Others changed to keep kids interested such as riding in cars, and no more bad haircuts to show your commitment. Though kids currently get hideous Mohawks for state games, all of their own accord. Others changed because they are, and always were, bad ideas. Keeping your helmet on when your hot does not make you play better, a tougher person, or more committed. It can put your well being in jeopardy in very hot conditions, and can make you less comfortable than you would be if you just took it off. How about the 110% club? A long time tradition that measured your ability in a certain categories, but in no way measured ones effort. How about denying water breaks to toughen kids up. Practicing full go in 98 degree heat with high humidity.....twice a day.

 

The old 'Play to Win' has been construed by some as a negative, saying that it means winning above all else. For a while they had shirts that said 'Expect to Win' and that was thought of as arrogant. I myself just like the shirt that say 'State Champions' with the current year on them.

 

All of those things were the way of the times, but I don't think there passing has diminished a single thing. I am glad to let them pass and let the kids of the current era build their own thing.....as long as the tradition of winning continues.

Has the team always done the service day or did Dale start that?

Has the team always done the service day or did Dale start that?

That is a Dale thing. I like it and have benefitted from it .:thumb:

I think that when the birds run out through the gauntlet that someone should run out pulling the cannon. I wish it was incorporated in some way

I volunteer you to be that guy pulling the cannon.:clap::lol2:

I volunteer you to be that guy pulling the cannon.:clap::lol2:

 

That would be a tough commute from Tampa

That would be a tough commute from Tampa

 

If you think the commute is tough, I would really like seeing you try and pull that cannon when the team runs out.:eek::lol2:

I was thinking, why couldn't the cannon sound be "pipped in"? Show a graphic of the cannon going off on the video board with the sound on the PA? I'm sure somebody had to have thought of this.

 

Of course as an opposing player, I hated that damn cannon but understood the tradition.

 

The final touchdown | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

If you think the commute is tough, I would really like seeing you try and pull that cannon when the team runs out.:eek::lol2:

That's what the little quad runner is for. :banana:

I was thinking, why couldn't the cannon sound be "pipped in"? Show a graphic of the cannon going off on the video board with the sound on the PA? I'm sure somebody had to have thought of this.

 

Of course as an opposing player, I hated that damn cannon but understood the tradition.

This is a great idea and could very easily be done. However, Dale or the school are not interested in having anything that has to do with the cannon associated with the school.:irked::banghead::angrybird_13: Maybe if more people talked about it and talked to the school about, they would think about it.:idunno: