State banners

State banners

Dear Kellogg School District Administration and Board Members,

I write to you today very concerned over the State Banners that have been taken down from Andrews Gymnasium.

These banners represent great accomplishments and pride not only to all that worked so hard to earn them, but to all that experienced the journey. Although I am by no means a writer, I would like to give you a description of what just a few of these banners mean to me.

I grew up listening to the stories from my father about Jack and Jeff Wombolt, Rich Porter, Ed Hiemstra, and many other great players and coaches from Kellogg. I idolized these people without even knowing them. I had the pleasure of having Jack Wombolt as a junior high PE/health teacher. Jack would shoot baskets between classes as I watched in amazement. With just the flick of his wrist, swish from 25 feet. Free-throw after free-throw seeming to never even touch the rim. My dad was right! This guy is great, I thought to myself. Those are the memories I think of when I look at his banners hanging in Andrews Gymnasium.

My parents would take me to Andrews to watch basketball games starting in the ’70s. As a young boy, I can remember watching a vociferous coach with a purple suit and white loafers prowl the sideline. For those of us that are from Kellogg, we knew him by Coach Alexander. What a great time! When the Kellogg team from 1981 played for a state title in Post Falls, my family was there. Seated on the back row, crowded into a gym that seemed like it could not hold one more person. As an 11-year-old, I was devastated by their close loss. But every time I walk into Andrews, I would see that second-place banner and remember the great times in Andrews with my family. That second-place banner should be hanging for all to see inside Andrews gymnasium.

The 2010 girls’ basketball team, who was picked to finish fourth in their league, in a very surprising win in the runner up game at districts secured a spot in the state tournament. What a great group of young women. They had a work ethic second to none and a will to win that was undeniable. They would show that in three games at the state tournament. Finishing their season on the biggest stage available to an Idaho high school basketball player, The Idaho Center. They gave everything they had and then some, but came up a bit short. I still get choked up hearing Journey’s “Don’t stop Believing.” That was their theme song. I still can hear and see them singing it on the bus on the way to the title game. What great memories! This is what I think of when I see their banner. Their second-place banner should be hanging inside Andrews Gymnasium.

The 1987 wrestling team. This team was made up of many of my friends. Still to this day, I get to hear about their banner and the stories from that season. Most of which I can’t repeat. They are very proud of that banner, as well they should be. Their second-place banner should be hanging inside Andrews Gymnasium.

I could go on and on, but I am sure every banner has many stories, memories and PRIDE for the athlete who earned it, and also for their family members and the community members who cheered them on. These banners were earned and deserve the recognition of every person walking into Andrews. These banners create so much pride in the school and the community. I would encourage KSD admin to make sure every banner, in its original state, are hung back up inside Andrews Gymnasium to be viewed and remembered by everyone.

I hope this can and will be done in a timely fashion. I would also encourage you to have a plan in place and look into the consequences before you start a project.

Thank you for your time and consideration on this very important issue.

JEFF LAMBERT

Pinehurst