Little League

When my oldest boy, Simi was 8 years old our neighbors the Ebelings kept telling us to sign him up for Brighton Little League Football.  We didn't know much about it and decided against it that year. The next year he was 9 and our youngest Jeremy was 8. We caved in and signed them up to play.

Boy! Was I in for a shock!  Brighton's Little League program was a very well oiled machine with lots of politics.  They had tryouts for these little kids and were told the "A" team was the team to be on.  Our oldest boy was a whole year stronger, bigger and faster than the younger one.  They selected him for the "A" team and put Jer on as a consolation because Simon offered to help coach. Didn't realize at the time that Simon would love coaching his boys so much that it would be years before I had his full attention during football season!
After football came Junior Jazz basketball.  Again Simon was coaching.  Spring Lacross tryouts were encouraged by some friends and we sadly found out Brighton didn't have a team.  So we headed out south and tried out for Alta's Lacross team.  The coach for Alta was amazing with Simi.  We made so many friends and played out there for 2 years until Brighton finally organized some teams.

By now Simon was coaching year round.  I was sadly last on the priority list.  Our boys were on Super League basketball teams during the winter, playing Brighton Lacross and Mecury Track during the spring and Brighton Football in the Fall. Murray Rugby replaced Lacross a few years later.  I quickly learned how fun sports were when you were cheering on your own kids!

When Simi was in 5th grade rumors started spreading during the football season that we were not in the boundaries for Brighton.  At the end of the season our neighbors down the street were kicked out of the program because of boundary issues.  We kept our head low and prayed that it would all get worked out.

That spring we were forced to play for either a boundary school or a private school.  The boys and Simon were heartbroken.  We contemplated pulling the boys out of sports until they could play with their friends.  We fought with the district almost winning a boundary dispute.  In the end we chose Juan Diego.  That Lacross season was one of new friends, new coaches and the wearing of Blue and White instead of Orange and Blue.

That year our new friends invited us to the annual Festival of Roses at Juan Diego.  What a awesome celebration and fundraising event for the Catholic School.  The Fehoko's were welcomed with open arms into this tight knit community and we felt loved.  Thankful we didn't give up sports!

Football season was approaching fast and the Fehoko's were excited to be a part of such a great athletic program.  The football program didn't know much about our boys except what they had heard from the coaches and friends from Lacross.  Simon interviewed and was chosen to be the assistant coach to Coach Hoffman and Coach Jesse.  The Fehokos aren't afraid to work  hard and they immediately started earning their keep.  Simi and Jeremy proved that they would be an important part of their teams and slowly earned the respect of teammates and coaches. This was a great year for Simi's team who hadn't won a game in 5 years.  The Fehoko's were commonly known as the Mormon boys who didn't swear.  This team said prayers at practice along with scripture thoughts given by selected boys but they all swore like sailors. lol  When it came to game time every player knelt in a circle and prayers and Hail Mary's were offered.  The first time Simi was asked to give a scripture and prayer he was so nervous but recited a Book of Mormon scripture to his Catholic teammates and then closed with a traditional LDS prayer.  What a significant learning experience for my young boy!

Under the direction of a great staff these boys played fantastic!  They ended up in the play off game against Tooele.  The head coach was out of town and Coach Simon and Coach Jesse lead these boys to a championship win!  I've never seen such gratitude, humility and joy in the faces of these boys!  Tears were shed from players and parents alike!  After five straight years of loosing  they finally went all the way to be the Champions in their division!  In my eyes there wasn't a young man there that didn't deserve it!  Simi lead the team in the traditional Haka after the game and Jer was the designated water boy (and handsome one at that!) since his team didn't make it to the playoffs. :)  A momentous day, for sure!

Our boys have been blessed beyond measure when it comes to significant individuals in their lives.  The friends they have made at all the different schools in the valley make it so fun to play any sport. There usually isn't a game that they don't have a friend on the opposing team. 

This year, both our boys are back at Brighton, where our boys like to call "home".  They again have to work hard for their place on the team.  These boys are blessed to have Coaches from all over the valley calling and giving them encouragement and platitudes this year.  Coach Hoffman even came to watch and support one of Simi's games this season.  What great influences and amazing friends we have made through sports.  Thank you to every single individual who have helped raise our boys into young men.  You have taught them ethics, hard work, team work, humbleness, tolerance, sportsmanship and above all to never give up!   Thank you for the Fakapale- Coaches and Friends!