Adam Wickham was a quiet, intelligent, well-liked, and hard-working young outside defender. He played as a substitute as a seventh grader and worked into a starter on defense as an eighth grader. When we ran running laps or drills, invariably he came in last, but did his best and always with a faint smile. He was not the most athletic-looking or fastest defender, but his skill and work ethic were all a coach could ask.

In our next-to-last game played at home, we had to win the two last games to tie for first, and Adam did a superb job as defender...playing the entire game...and helping his team in the victory !! The next day, Friday, at the end of the school day, after Adam had run P.E. times for the mile, I was called to the field because a player told me hurriedly that Adam "was down." Adam was taken to the hospital where he was declared DOA.

In a brief summary.....the entire team served as unofficial pall bearers and planned to make our last game, that we needed to win in order to tie for first, dedicated to Adam. Signs were posted; a large, encouraging crowd showed at the last game; announcements were given pre-game, and Adams' family was recognized where we won handily to gain first place as we dedicated this game in his honor and memory.

Adam's family was gracious in these moments ....and brave. They were hurting, but strong; I typed a personal letter to the Wickham family to boast their spirit...to help them realize how special and well-liked Adam was...to ensure them how Adam's life was not in vain...to emphasize the character of Adam Wickham...to remember special moments I shared with him on the field and in the hallways. His number 15 was memorialized and a special award was announced by me in his name first starting at the awards banquet. This season ('04) turned out to be my last coaching season (which will be shared in another blog) and unfortunately my successors never stayed with this honor. Three or four more blogs with different aspects of this day will be available...coming.