Sporting a winning Add A. Tude during the holidays
And now, a sporting take on a good ol' Christmas carol...basketball style.
Happy Holidays!
'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the state, not an athlete was stirring except maybe on skates. The sweat socks were thrown in the basement with hope, that laundry room dirt would soon see some soap.
The athletes and coaches were snug in their beds, while visions of state titles danced in their heads. And hoopsters in shorts hanging well past their knees, had just settled down for a long winter's sleep.
When out of the blue there arose such a clatter, hoopsters sprang like from sidelines to see what was the matter. To the courts in an instant they flew in a flash, tore off all their warmups and tossed Gatorade cups in the trash.
Light bulbs buzzed in the gym and started to glow, gave the luster of midday to the game played below. When what to their wandering eyes should appear, but small yellow buses and refs from far and near.
With an "A"-shaped orange mascot and touches of blue, they knew in a moment it must be Add A. Tude. More rapid than reindeer the buses they came, Add A. Tude whistled and shouted and called them by name.
"Now Glenbard! Now Neuqua! Now Waubonsie and Wheaton! On Naperville! On Benet! On Downers and Fenton! No matter the scoreboard and no matter the call! Sport the winningest attitude...good sportsmanship for you all!"
As hurdles before runners soon to be leaped, when they meet with that obstacle and hop off their feet. So out to the gyms the hoopsters they flew, with bags full of balls and athletic tape too.
And then in an echo they heard in the stands, the yelling and screaming of some outspoken fans. As the ref drew his hand and made a quick call, not a sole complaint heard - just cheers from them all.
The refs wore striped shirts and dark-colored pants, all worthy of the challenge and up to the task. A bundle of nerves the hoopsters they felt, another close ballgame they all had been dealt.
Add A. Tude's eyes how they twinkled and his dimples how merry, his goal soon completed and situation quite hairy. His droll little mouth could hardly be seen, but a look in his eyes saw just what he means.
The mouth guards they wore clenched tight in their teeth, aiming shots at the hoop shaped just like a wreath. At halftime regrouping while trying to rally, retreating to locker rooms no matter how smelly.
Hot dogs chubby and plump with parents lending a hand, Add A. Tude and the crowd soon rushed the concession stand. A wink of his eye and a dance in his suit, soon gave all to know ... the point was now moot.
He spoke not a word and just went back in the gym, his halftime performance featured no one but him. And raising his fingers up high in the air, gave the crowd a salute with nothing but care.
Add A. Tude sprang to the bus and to the teams gave a whistle, away he soon flew like some sort of missile. But all heard him exclaim with one final retort...
"Happy Christmas to all! You are all such good sports!"
kschmit@dailyherald.com