BOLIVAR — Every now and then, the world of sports produces its unforgettable moments.
For Americans, one of the most memorable was the underdog United States hockey team’s semifinal victory over the Soviet Union in the 1980 Olympic Games, the so-called Miracle on Ice. A team of amateurs and collegiate players took on the mighty Soviets — who had, at the time, four straight gold medals — and won.
Those who lived through it may remember that, in the midst of the Cold War, it provided more than simply great sporting memories — it also served to unite people from different walks of life under a single banner, that it created, for at least a short time, a common bond or a sense of camaraderie.
On a smaller scale, high school sports teams, or others affiliated with a specific community, can have that sort of impact. That’s been the experience for Mark Emery, athletic director and assistant softball coach at Bolivar-Richburg High School.
That community is living such an experience as both its baseball and softball teams — the last Big 30 teams still playing spring sports this season — prepare for the New York State championships. The baseball and softball teams from small-town Western New York both stand two wins away from a state title, and both play Saturday.
After some of the teams’ most-recent wins, local fire departments and members of the community have been on hand to usher the victors back into town. Mr. Emery expected another big turnout this morning, from the student body as well as the community, to send the teams off to states.
“Everybody comes out on Main Street,” Mr. Emery said. “For a little bit of time, anyways, they’re united in the success of an athletic team. And it’s amazing.
“I talk to the kids in class about it quite frequently, about how sometimes sport is bigger than just a game,” he said. “You want to see a slice of it come down to Bolivar. When these teams have been coming home after these championships, everybody and their brother is out on the street waving to them and just being happy — happy in the success they’ve achieved.”
He added, “For those moments, when people are celebrating and happy for the kids, it really does bring them together.”
This isn’t a first-time experience for the Bolivar-Richburg community. In fact, it’s only been four years since the last time both Wolverine squads qualified for states. That, along with the state championship the softball team claimed in 2006, has to be considered one of the school’s greatest athletic achievements.
“Anytime you go to the states, it’s a big accomplishment,” said high school Principal Tim Houseknecht. “I’ve had a kid myself go to states for another sport. It’s a fun thing. It’s great for the town. The kids will remember it for life, (and) they deserve it. They’ve worked hard at it.
“Our community is extremely supportive of our sports, and baseball and softball probably being two of the most highly supported ones. That’s one nice thing about a small community … that everybody gets behind it and there’s a lot of spirit.”
At least three separate signs throughout town pronounced support for their teams — one in front of the high school, one at the Bolivar Fire Department and another at the local gas station on Route 417.
“It’s been amazing, the support right from the first playoff game we had here through the Far West Regional last Saturday — not just going to the games, but the signs around town,” said B-R baseball coach Dustin Allen, who also coached the team into the state final four in 2010. “Baseball’s had three parades through town … (and) there’s talk around town. Everybody’s just congratulating the team and wishing them the best of luck. The support’s been unreal.”
Mr. Allen has seen shows of support come in from other communities, as well.
“It’s not just our community,” he said. “Teams we battle with all year are now right behind us cheering us on.”
This will be softball coach Stan Harris’s fourth trip to states with the Wolverines. He led them there previously in 2004, 2006 and 2008. In 2006, they returned with the title — the school’s only athletic state championship thus far.
“The support is just fantastic,” said Mr. Harris. “I go to games now, when we have our home games or even tournaments, you see people there who don’t have kids there. They just support Bolivar-Richburg softball as they do baseball. It’s just amazing.
“There’s all kinds of community support,” he said. “It’s just been phenomenal — as it was the other times we went.”
And having been there before hasn’t dulled the experience.
“This time around, I think it hasn’t been any less magical, because it’s a fantastic feat when you think about it — such a small school being able to send two teams to states is unbelievable,” Mr. Emery said. “(It’s) truly remarkable.”
Following this morning’s send off, the teams were slated to travel to their respective game sites — Binghamton for the baseball team and Glens Falls for the softball club — where the New York State Public Athletic Association typically has activities scheduled for the state finalists. The boys and the other three teams in their tournament are to attend a Binghamton Mets game, Mr. Emery said.
“They have a tremendous night of activities planned,” he said. “The state tournament takes care of that. They run those well, they really do.”
One of those who will be supporting the baseball team Saturday is Caitlin Morrison, a B-R grad and JCC-Olean student who played for the softball team last season when it reached the Section 5 finals.
“It’s awesome that both teams are going — parades every time they win,” she said. “The corner was full of people. That’s cool to see for a small town.
“The girls I played with, to see them do that, yeah. I figured they would (be successful) because there’s a lot of talent on that team. A lot of them are really good friends of mine.”
Her brother, Collin Morrison, owner of Bolivar Hardware & Supply, has also noticed the outpouring.
“The whole town gets behind it,” Mr. Morrison said. “It’s pretty exciting for everybody around here.
“I think they’ll do great. My sister’s boyfriend is one of the pitchers on the team, so I wish I could go.”
And even though the state championships will have been decided by Saturday’s end, the small, underdog B-R community will have something to celebrate for a little while still.
“We’ll continue it on because we have (a Pioneer Oil Days) parade, and last time around, we rode in the Oil Day parade,” he recalled. “I’m sure they’ll do it again this time around — again, just a continual celebration of an achievement in athletics for the high school, but also an achievement for the community. It’s nice in that respect.”