They’ve seen it all…or at least a lot. Former Piqua-Sidney sports contributors (l to r): Tom Clark, Chip Hare, John Willoughby, Steve Magoteaux, J.D. Foust, Rick Gold, Dave Ross, and Mitch Hoying. (Press Pros Feature Photo)
In a back room setting away from fans and Friday night lights, eight friends from years of Piqua vs. Sidney met this week to not smash, but smile…over the games, the memories, and a few good stories that never made it to Main Street.
In the back room of the Alcove Restaurant Monday, in Sidney, eight old friends gathered to shake hands…to hug…and to simply reminisce about fifty years of Sidney vs. Piqua.
Of so many Friday nights.
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Julia Lamb…
Roosevelt Stadium…
Battered helmets…
30-0…
‘The Pit’…
Doc Staley…
The premise was a simple hour-long gathering over lunch, but the associated conversations – the war stories – could have lasted past sunset.
Eight members from the best moments of Sidney vs. Piqua over the last fifty years – Tom Clark, Dave Ross, Steve Magoteaux, John Willoughy, Rick Gold, Chip Hare, Mitch Hoying, and J.D. Foust – met with no motive other than to reminisce, smile, and appreciate each other, as well as countless others who contributed so much…and didn’t live so long as to enjoy the stories of their contribution.
And think of those names…Dave Haines…Chuck Asher…Dave Zeller…Jim Hardman – their mere mention kindled another story of, “I bet you didn’t know”.
“The battered helmet came about in 1974,” remembered Dave Ross, recounting how the current trophy befitting competition in football between the two schools came about.
The ‘battered helmet’ came about in 1974…won by Piqua in an 18-4 football decision over the Yellow Jackets.
“Sidney didn’t really have a rival at the time like Piqua vs. Troy, and given the proximity some people wondered if it wouldn’t provide some additional interest in the annual game. The idea was presented to Piqua, it was quickly agreed upon, and Coach Haines said he had the perfect helmet to represent such an award,” Ross added. “I knew a guy who could do the appropriate artwork, got it done under deadline, and we played for the ‘Battered Helmet’ that same week.
“Funny thing, Piqua was 5-2 that year and won the game, 18-0. They held Kris Haines to 16 yards for the game and afterwards I was the one who had to make the presentation of the trophy.”
Such were the conversations about fifty years of Piqua vs. Sidney, as well as more contemporary subjects associated with the future of high school sports: seven divisions…competitive balance…NIL…and open enrollment.
Stories of Sidney’s epic 30-0 win streak were shared.
“We had to beat Bellefontaine in 1968 when they had Jesse Williams and Gail Clarke,” added Ross. “I think we were ahead 35-7 at halftime and held on to win 35-28. Williams and Clarke were really good.”
Long-time basketball coach Tom Clark shared his own stories, sitting alongside current coach John Willoughby, a basketball fixture in Shelby County from his years at Houston before moving to Sidney.
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Long-time Piqua baseball coach Rick Gold smiled at the stories shared about ‘Doc’ Staley, the venerable basketball, football, and baseball official who worked games for what seemed a century. Someone mentioned: “No one ever remembered the person who worked with Doc. They just remembered Doc.”
“But Doc saved my job when I was teaching at West Milton,” added former Piqua football coach and athletic director Steve Magoteaux, with a touch of sentiment in his voice. “I was going to get riffed, and Doc retired to create budget room for another teacher.”
And so it was.
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Time is promised to no one, of course. And while it was notable to remember so much of the past, one questioned how much more…had Asher, Hardman, and long-time Sidney fixture Maggie Williams been there.
Former Piqua athletic director Ed Purk was another notable unable to attend because of obligation…as was longtime public address man, Duane Bachman.
“Hard to believe it’s been so long,” someone mentioned as they left the table and the Alcove for their car.
“Fun,” another mentioned.
Worth doing again.
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