My wife and I use to go a lot. At first, we use to go when Joe and Fran were there. We were attending as guests in those years. Went about two or three times a year. Didn't go during the Sandusky years. Went a couple of times when O'Brien coached. Then became members about four years into Franklin's regime. Attended quite regularly with another couple. I sat up front, usually right next to Fran Fisher. We enjoyed our times there and the acquaintances we made. Gave me a chance to renew my friendship with Fran. We first met at Rec Hall, when Bruce. Parkhill coached the team. My wife and I sat in section S2 Bruce's wife sat just in front of us. Joe and Fran, and sometimes Sue, sat In S4. At the time in the hallways, ashtrays hung on the walls and during time outs and halftimes one could smoke in the hallways. That's where I met Fran. We had many a discussion there through the years. I found we were born on the same day 9/23. I in 55, and if I remember right, he in 30, same year as my Mom. Her having been born on the 24 th. Do we would regularly convene our discussions in the rec hall hallways while smoking a butt. But, I digress.
When James showed up, I had been doing W-L percentages. Comparing the first four years of Joe, Rip, and James. James was killing it and I told I'm so at one of the events at QB club. He was surprised and came over wanting to hug me. I backed away saying I wanted nothing to do with it. I was just doing the maths. Steve Jones was there as my witness. Since then, whenever he saw me he would say I'll never forget that. And he never did. If I saw him around town he always said hi or waved. Peeps I was with would ask, "Do you know him?" I would say "sort of."
But over time I began to realize, he was just a communicator. He knew how to make you hear what he wanted you to hear. He was comfortable on the midway of the fairground selling you the best cutco knives. Or the newest fanciest set of pots and pans you didn't need. But, by the time, he was done talking to you wanted them, payed full price, and carried them home with you, sure they were better than sliced bread. And that's the best way I can describe Coach James Franklin to you.
When James showed up, I had been doing W-L percentages. Comparing the first four years of Joe, Rip, and James. James was killing it and I told I'm so at one of the events at QB club. He was surprised and came over wanting to hug me. I backed away saying I wanted nothing to do with it. I was just doing the maths. Steve Jones was there as my witness. Since then, whenever he saw me he would say I'll never forget that. And he never did. If I saw him around town he always said hi or waved. Peeps I was with would ask, "Do you know him?" I would say "sort of."
But over time I began to realize, he was just a communicator. He knew how to make you hear what he wanted you to hear. He was comfortable on the midway of the fairground selling you the best cutco knives. Or the newest fanciest set of pots and pans you didn't need. But, by the time, he was done talking to you wanted them, payed full price, and carried them home with you, sure they were better than sliced bread. And that's the best way I can describe Coach James Franklin to you.
