This is a bit of a "touchy" area for me to comment on, but I want to be on the record for a fair assessment of what I witnessed.
First off, it was an outstanding final between what I think most will agree on were the two best Class 4A boys teams in the state this season.
Now then, onto the postgame situation.
The SCHSSCA had been asked to make sure that proper decorum was followed after each match amongst the teams and the fans -- the security this weekend did a very good job in terms of crowd control and keeping things on time and in an efficient matter.
It was relayed to the SCHSSCA to make sure that proper respect was upheld by the Champion and Runner-Up during the trophy/medal presentation following each match.
Well, after Irmo was presented with the State Runners-Up trophy, a couple of Yellow Jackets hoisted the trophy, received the applause from the crowd, and then were called a few yards down field by their coaches toward the scoreboard end of the field. The team clearly had their backs turned toward the presentation of the State Championship trophy as their coaches addressed them after the match.
The SCHSL soccer liaison, Roger Hazel, informed Irmo Principal Gerald Witt and Athletics Director Bob Hanna about the lack of recognition Irmo was giving to South Aiken and Hanna responded to him with a comment of the sort, "I can't break up a team meeting", and did not intervene in the meeting. This from a football coach, who has been a Class 4A Runner-Up in two of the past three seasons -- 2002 (Division 2) and 2004 (Division 1).
I've known Phil Savitz, Dennis Cook, and others associated with the Irmo HS boys soccer program a long time and consider all friends. I truly respect the Yellow Jackets' tremendous history and soccer excellence -- no one has ever done it better between the lines in S.C. high school soccer.
But, as a parent of an Irmo player told me after the game,
"Our boys just need to learn how to lose a little bit better."As GOIRMO.COM states today on their fine website, from poet Edwin Markham, "Defeat may serve as well as victory to shake the soul and let the glory out." At the time he didn't know about Irmo boys soccer but was nonetheless prophetic about one of the nation's best programs ever. He was right and perhaps his words ring true for the Yellow Jackets today for one game, one loss, one day cannot mar a season of great accomplishment or quarter of a century of excellence. The remarkable trail of 15 championships, of hundreds of wins, of scores of great players and of a program built on class, character and consistency can be appreciated even more today than yesterday. There were no losers in this year's title game. Let the glory out. Congratulations to our Lower State champions on another outstanding season and a superb effort."
I wish the Irmo boys soccer team would have shown that 'glory' as well to South Aiken after the match.
http://www.goirmo.com/archives/bsoccer051505.htm