In our high school gymnasium, banners honoring the achievements of the 1996 State-runner up and 1999 State Champion football teams are prominently displayed among accolades commemorating 1000 point scorers and division champs on the hardwood.

Loyal Golden Eagle alumni and students however will notice that a few things are missing from this picture.

The 2011 Golden Eagle football team advanced all the way to the state championship game, falling to Lancaster Catholic 17-7. This achievement is equal to that of the 1996 team, yet there is no banner or poster giving them the recognition they deserve. Even the field house where the team prepares for their Friday night games leaves the 2011 unrecognized.

But it doesn’t end with football.

The wrestling program at Tyrone has produced 10 state champions throughout its history. But you wouldn’t know that by gazing at the walls of our gymnasium. The very place where these gladiators of the mat made their mark leaves them unmentioned, forgotten and disrespected among Tyrone’s other athletic achievements.  

Similarly, Tyrone has had several track and field champions, most recently Erika Voyzey and Charles Wilson Adams in the high jump. 

All sports, including the examples I have brought attention to should be prominently displayed for all spectators to marvel at each time they step into our school.

Opponents should feel the intimidation rush through them as they pick their jaws off the floor when they see all that Tyrone athletes have accomplished. Individuals and members of those historic teams should be reminded of their success when they come home to visit their alma mater.

The gymnasium walls at some schools are barely visible because of all the banners commemorating successful teams and athletes that brought them recognition. All I’m asking is that here at Tyrone, we should give credit where credit is due.

What better way to show our pride than with banners that represent what we have achieved as individual athletes and as a school?

Brandon Kemp