The Sports
Book
Words in RED are the personalized words
“Sports Book”
was created especially for
Andrew Ryan Bower
at the age of 7
With Love From,
Mom & Dad
November 1, 2002
Page 4
Andrew Ryan Bower rolled over in bed, saw dawn was already breaking and knew he would not be able to go back to sleep. He had tossed and turned most of the night because he was so excited. This restlessness, however, was
also partly due to an aching calf muscle.
As Andrew started to get up, he
once again felt the tightening in his leg. He
rubbed his muscle and the tension eased.
Now,
fully awake, Andrew was very aware of the
half-queasy, half-exhilarated feeling that came before every important Football game. But today was not like every other
sports day. Today, Andrew Ryan Bower was
competing in the last and most important Football
game of the season. The championship was at stake!
Page 7
While
Andrfew was eating breakfast, dozens of thoughts
filled his mind. He
imagined his friends and family at the Football game standing and cheering for him. He could almost
hear the announcer saying, “Andrew Ryan Bower of
Austin, Texas, is simply spectacular today.”
Then
his thoughts turned back to reality. Andrew drank his orange
juice and rubbed his leg. He knew it was time to leave when he saw Ryan and Tom
outside the kitchen window.
The
ride seemed unusually long this morning. When they finally reached their
destination, Andrew could see several people
were already warming up. He rushed to join his teammates.
Page 8
The
announcement was made that it was time to begin. The Football
game got off to a good start. Andrew felt
winning was possible. The team was in great condition.
It
soon became apparent that the teams were evenly matched. First one, then the
other, took the lead. With only minutes left, defeat or victory depended
entirely on Andrew. His
early morning vision was coming true!
Then
it happened! Suddenly the dull ache in his leg
muscle became a terrible cramp. Andrew tried to
go on. Again the muscle knotted and the pain was fierce. There was no doubt
about it, he could no longer compete.
The
Football game ended. The championship was won by the opposing team.
Page 11
As
the group gathered around the van, Andrew began
to think of everything that had happened before the Football
game. He remembered his leg
aching during the night and how restless he had
been. The excitement of the championship had pushed the pain out of his mind until the fierce cramp had become unbearable.
Andrew
also thought about his dream of being the hero
of the day. This morning’s dream of stardom seemed foolish. He felt discouraged.
Andrew
and the other began to pile into the van when they saw the coach approaching.
One by one they took their seats.
Andrew
wondered what would be said and how Coach Bob
would react. He wished he
could disappear.
Page 12
Coach Bob stopped to talk to some of the parents. Inside the van, there was
total silence. No one spoke. Andrew knew that
everyone was upset. He was feeling very uneasy.
The
coach got into the van. Andrew continued staring
at the floor. Coach Bob broke the long silence.
“We all gave our best today. All of you on the team gave 100 percent. The
cheers from the rest of you gave us a real boost. Andrew,
how’s your leg?”
Andrew
looked up. The coach was wonderful!! This Football game
had meant everything to the team, yet Coach Bob
was more concerned with how Andrew felt.
Page 15
Coach
Bob then told a hilarious story, and they all
began to laugh and talk at once. With words and antics, they created an instant
replay of the entire Football game. They made
fun of themselves until they were weak with laughter. The tension between them
ended, and their friendship became stronger.
By
the time they arrived at their favorite pizza place, Andrew
felt good. The aroma of the food coming from the restaurant smelled fantastic. Andrew had already decided on a medium cheese pizza
and a large drink.
Page 16
The
restaurant was busy. Coaches, athletes and spectators came to eat and talk
about the efforts of the teams.
As
they were waiting to order, a team member joked, “Andrew
Ryan Bower, every time we compete, you get better and better. One of
these days you might even get a professional offer.” They all patted Andrew on the back. No one could lose with friends
like these.
Coach
Bob put an arm around Andrew
and hugged him. “Stack them up, team,” said the
coach. The teammates piled one hand on top of the other. Andrew felt so good that he
forgot the dull ache in his leg.
Page 19
Andrew
joined Ryan, Tom and his
other friends who were sitting in a booth at the back of the restaurant. Andrew was glad to see them. He
had just begun to tell them about Coach Bob when
he saw Kia.
Kia
was a know-it-all who never missed a chance to put someone down. Anyone who had
a bad day at any sports event was a sure target. Kia’s outspoken meanness was
well known in Austin, Texas.
Andrew
felt his heart pounding rapidly. He struggled to catch his
breath. Kia had seen Andrew and was coming
straight toward him. There was no place to hide.
Page 20
Kia
was definitely one of the few people who always came to criticize. Even adults
often cringed at Kia’s remarks. Andrew could
feel everyone looking at him.
“Well,
Andrew, how does it feel losing the biggest Football game of the year single-handedly?” Kia’s
voice boomed.
Everyone
stopped eating. The entire restaurant was silent.
Ryan and Mike looked up. Andrew was fighting to keep
control of his emotions. All his earlier feelings of disappointment came flooding back.
What could he say?
Page 23
Only
a few minutes passed, but to Andrew it seemed
like forever. He tried to speak, but no words
would come.
Coach
Bob slowly got up from the table and walked over
to Kia. “If I remember correctly, Kia,” said the coach, “your poor
sportsmanship caused the penalty which lost us the championship last year. It
was Andrew who stuck up for you and Andrew who sat with you in this same restaurant when
no one else would. How can you criticize the one person who has treated you
like a friend?”
Kia
started to answer, but seeing the look on the coach’s face, knew it was best to
keep quiet.
Page 24
Kia,
speechless, was a sight to behold. A sigh of relief spread throughout the
entire restaurant.
As
they left the pizza place, everyone began buzzing with conversation. Ryan and
Tom recalled times when they needed it. Andrew
always seemed to be there with a word of encouragement. Each one agreed that
today’s loss was not the end of the world.
Win
or lose, they knew that they could always count on Andrew
Ryan Bower for friendship and support. Everyone
was really glad Andrew was on their team.
Page 27
The
awards banquet was held a few weeks later. Parents, friends, and relatives
brought their favorite dishes. Chicken, lasagna, potato salad, green beans,
casseroles, garden salads, and every dessert imaginable filled the tables. The
food was always delicious at these gatherings.
The
team got together and talked about many things. One topic was the surprise
plaque for Coach Bob which they had all chipped
in to buy. Andrew was pleased about this gift.
It was a super way to say thank you to a special coach.
Most
of the conversation, however, was about the Sportsmanship Trophy. This was the
most-coveted award of all. Each athlete imagined how that trophy would look on
a shelf at home.
Page 28
The
sportsmanship award was voted on by the team. Each member was entitled to one
vote.
Several
days before the banquet, Coach Bob had explained
to the group the qualifications for this trophy. According to Coach Bob, three qualities were needed. The athlete had to
show good team spirit, play by the rules of the sport and be gracious in
victory or defeat. The coach had added that, although the trophy was not given
specifically for athletic ability, a good athlete could win.
The
ballots were cast at the banquet. There were many who qualified this year, and
the vote was sure to be close.
Page 31
The
banquet room was very festive. Balloons, bright paper streamers, laughter and
conversation all added to the excitement.
Coach
Bob stood to begin the presentations, and the
team quickly took their seats. Andrew sat next
to Ryan and Tom. In spite of the fact they were
excited, a hush came over the room.
“We
have had a great season,” said Coach Bob. “We’ve
learned about teamwork, winning and losing. We have learned the discipline of
weekly practices, but most importantly we've learned about friendship and
sportsmanship.”
Page 32
One
by one, the team members were called up to receive their participation trophy.
Coach Bob spoke of the special talent of each
athlete as the awards were presented. These remarks meant a lot to the team.
They listened carefully to the words of the coach.
As
the last of the trophies were given out, the anticipation began to grow.
Finally, only the large, shiny, gold Sportsmanship Trophy remained on the
table. Everyone held their breath. The coach continued, “The vote was close
this year. In fact, the trophy was won by only one vote. Andrew Bower, your
teammates have voted that this award go to you.”
Unknown
to everyone, Kia had cast the tie-breaking vote.
Page 35
The
team had not won the championship, but they had learned many important lessons.
They knew it was difficult to lose, but as long as they kept trying, they could
not be defeated. Good sportsmanship now had real meaning. Winning was not
everything. Their spirits had never been higher. Andrew
beamed with pride as the team gathered around him. Groups of friends excitedly
talked about the fantastic team they would have next year. Andrew Bower was eagerly looking forward to another
season.
Page 36
Autographs
for
Andrew
Ryan Bower