An alum's perspective on Armstrong Field farewell

When Jamie Foxx received his Academy Award, Sidney Poitier said to him, “You have inherited responsibility.”  This year's Linn-Mar football team has done the same. Wednesday's playoff game will be the final at historic Armstrong Field.  No doubt the bleachers will be packed, middle school students will be running amok behind the home stands (a rite of passage for all Linn-Mar middle school students) and alumni, like myself, will be cheering for kids we don't know.However, the physical presence of those attending will be matched by the spiritual presence of all who have played there.  Armstrong Field has given host to future college All-Americans, future NFL players and Hall-of-Fame coaches.  It has also been the home of award-winning bands, nationally ranked dance teams, future professional soccer players and future Olympic track & field contenders.  Oh, and then there's the water . . . lots and lots of water.Armstrong has taken on a persona of its own, beyond any competitive event.  Until this year, you couldn't even drive by Armstrong.  That certainly lended to an air of mystery.  The sound of cleats hitting the pavement when the players walked down to the field still gives me goosebumps.  You won't find that particular sound anywhere else. On a personal note, Armstrong is the backdrop to many of my memories growing up.  I had my first kiss there, I fell in love there, I had my heart broken there, I've seen people fishing from the bleachers there, I've seen some of the most beautiful fall foliage there.  Heck, when my husband was on the coaching staff, I went into labor with our second child there.There is a brotherhood that exists among all who have played football at Armstrong Field.  They are spread throughout the world.  There is an unspoken recognition that when current players step onto that field, they bring along all who have played before them.  The best seats for the game tonight are unavailable and unseen.  They are reserved for the Lions in heaven who built Armstrong and Linn-Mar football.The players Wednesday are blessed with the responsibility of putting Armstrong Field to rest in GLORIOUS fashion.  Fight hard.  Defend your turf.  Tear up that field.This is what you were born to do. YOU are a Lion.Amy Osenbaugh-Brinkmeyer, Linn-Mar Class of 1990