I agree. Comments like those are coming from those that didn't grow up with the tradition.

 

 

Well, I have grown up with the tradition. And as much as I'd want it to be a part of HHS forever, that just can't be the case. The cannon doesn't need to be made into a bigger deal than it is. It's a cannon. Sure you can say its symbolic of Highlands Football, but we won before the cannon and we'll win without the cannon.

As for the liability issue, the cannon is no more dangerous today than it was a week ago. The risks existed then and they exist today. But those risks have not been increased by this mishap. As has been said already, this was a freak accident; and the fact that it happened will only serve to decrease the likelihood that it will ever happen again.

 

Accidents happen. And when they do, they invariably lead to new and better safety measures. I think that's exactly what needs to happen here. It's a terrible and painful lesson; but I don't think the "run and hide" mentality serves anyone's best interest. I can't speak for how Steve and his family feel about it; but I can tell you that a Roller never ran from anything or anyone.

 

Let's learn from this...but not let unnecessary fear destroy a cherished part of our community life.

 

I certainly hope they keep it but there are alternative ways to make it safer.

Well, I have grown up with the tradition. And as much as I'd want it to be a part of HHS forever, that just can't be the case. The cannon doesn't need to be made into a bigger deal than it is.

For those of us who grew up in, and around the program...yeah, it's a big deal.

I can't speak for how Steve and his family feel about it; but I can tell you that a Roller never ran from anything or anyone.

 

.

 

 

What does one's bravery have to do with this issue?

What does one's bravery have to do with this issue?

You missed the point. And I'm NOT going to go around and round with you on this again.

As for the liability issue, the cannon is no more dangerous today than it was a week ago. The risks existed then and they exist today. But those risks have not been increased by this mishap. As has been said already, this was a freak accident; and the fact that it happened will only serve to decrease the likelihood that it will ever happen again.

 

I don't know BF, was there ever a determination as to what caused it to misfire during the season? Maybe these 2 incidents/accidents are an indication that the cannon itself if showing it's age. And if so, there may be a chance that this specific cannon is more dangerous today than it was a week ago.

 

I struggle with the fact that this cannon has been in operation since 1968 (according to the linked article) and within a matter of one football season, we've had a misfire (which could have caused an accident) and the accident last week. I prefer to think we have an issue with the cannon, as the other option saddens me to think about.

 

I've grown up with this tradition. I sat in the stands in the mid-70's listening to it blast as LN and the rest of the Bird's marched onto a state championship, I was a manager during the early 80's for those state championship runs and then had the pleasure of running down the steps to it as a player. And now my boys jump in the stands when it fires. It never gets old and I love it dearly. But, for the life of me, I can't convince myself that it should still be fired.

For those of us who grew up in, and around the program...yeah, it's a big deal.

 

I can assure you that I've grown up "in, and around the program" and I'm pretty sure that during my time on the field I was much more concerned with playing for my teammates, family, and community, than playing for the cannon. I'm also relatively sure that the serious injury to Mr. Roller is a much, much bigger deal than some celebratory cannon blast. Don't get me wrong, I love the cannon and it's gonna be rough not having it at games, but lets not act like this is gonna make or break the football program because it's not.

The cannon was in jeopardy before this accident even happened. The insurance co. involved was looking into stopping the use of the cannon after another accident (at another school in Ky)that involved someone being knocked down and losing their hearing after being too close to the cannon when it was fired.

You missed the point. And I'm NOT going to go around and round with you on this again.

 

My bad. I guess I got lost in the cliches.

We also have another party who has to be involved in the decision. The owners of this cannon will have a say. Even if the school board decides to bring it back the owners have to make a decision and its not one they will take lightly.

 

I don't envy them in this process.

 

However, what a great family heirloom.

My bad. I guess I got lost in the cliches.

Why would it matter to a CovCath supporter? It is a Highlands tradition, it's for Highlands people to decide.

IF they decide to put the cannon to rest, then there are ways to turn it into a positive instead of a negative.

 

Possibly they could turn the cannon into some type of memorial. I know some teams have an icon of sorts that they place close to the field and the players and fans can see it and touch it and be reminded of what it stands for. The players could rub it on their way to the field and it might could even serve as a big motivator rather than being a dark memory.

 

Maybe they could do something appropriate like that and erect a plaque to go along with it showing the HHS records during the cannon years, the history of the cannon, etc.

 

Maybe the team could add a little small cannon sticker on the back of the helmet...

 

I like these ideas. At Oldham County, there is a mounted brass bell at one end of the field. It is a bell in reference to the field's name, Bell Field, but it stands in honor of some classmates who died during the school year. The players used to rub it as they came onto the field (didn't so much this year as their new football fieldhouse is on the opposite end of the field, so they enter through a different gate).

 

Good luck to Highlands at finding a solution... a fancy scoreboard with graphics of a cannon going off is a neat idea, too...

Why would it matter to a CovCath supporter? It is a Highlands tradition, it's for Highlands people to decide.

 

My fault. I didn't know this thread was locked down .

 

Please.

My bad. I guess I got lost in the cliches.

 

Why would it matter to a CovCath supporter? It is a Highlands tradition, it's for Highlands people to decide.

 

Still an open forum for people to express opinions though, right? None of these opinions will have any effect on the final decision, so it's just people sharing their own personal views in a harmless manner.