Myles5

Raiders, Built For Others

2008 Season Dedicated to Myles Beckley

Part FIVE – Post-Log

At the end of our initial 10 practices, the Raiders get their first crack at playing against different-colored jerseys at our annual 4-way scrimmage. The last team the Varsity 1 team played that day was the Shrine Knights, coached by former University of Michigan quarterback John Wangler. John won Michigan’s first ever Rose Bowl, playing for legendary coach Bo Schembechler.

Jay Beckley’s 7^th grade Varsity 2 team was called over when the scrimmage was over. Both V1 teams, Shrine and the Raiders, were in a huddle on one knee. Coach MacLean was talking about Myles and the Raiders season being dedicated to him. From the 30 yard line of the Brother Rice Warriors Fracassa field, Coach pointed the player’s attention to “Myles’ Park at Regis and Rice” – a huge landscape installed adjoining St. Regis’ playground, in honor of Myles. Long time parishioner Kris Walters, conceived of and executed the project. Many in the community participated in its installation. The park has tables and benches overlooking the field, for kids and families to play and watch great football being played on the field Myles ran around on often. A Myles favorite during practice was to punt a football over the goalpost. Whenever he made one over, he leapt off his feet with his hands high in the air. His smile and the joy on his face lit up the entire place.

Bringing the players attention back to the huddle, Coach introduced John to all the players. John told how the Shrine program knew about Myles and the Beckley family and had been praying for us. He talked about overcoming adversity, CYO Athletics and supporting our communities – even those we compete against. After a silent pause, John then said the Knights wanted to do something for the Beckleys. He called Jay forward as he reached in a bag at his feet. He pulled out an official University of Michigan jersey, #5, with the name “Myles” on the back and handed it to Jay. John wore #5 at U of M. No more words were needed. John and Jay embraced, and Jay’s face glowed like Myles’ did when he made one over the crossbar.

John didn’t know it, but he started something with that jersey. Days later at practice, a Michigan State Spartan jersey, #5, was presented to Jay with the inscription, “#5 is alive in the MSU Spartans – Mark D’Antonio.” Mark is head coach of the Spartans. A few days after that, a #5 Army jersey arrived and later, a #5 MSU basketball jersey. I saw John a few weeks later and told him about what was happening. He smiled and said he’d have to “call his friend at LSU – Les” (Miles, head coach). After the close of our season, I received an 8x10 glossy photo of #5 for the Detroit Lions, quarterback Drew Stanton. Drew was also #5 at MSU, where he played his college ball. Inscribed on the picture, “#5 is alive in me – Drew.” Drew had no idea Coach D’Antonio had inscribed the same on his former jersey for the Beckleys.

The Raiders capped our season with the annual football banquet. The entire hall was decorated in tribute to our season and to the spirit of Myles. Coach Chris Rea launched a project on his own and Raider Nation was treated to replica jerseys of Myles #5 as the hand-crafted centerpieces on each table. Myles banner was hanging. Five enormous cakes with the inscription “#5 is Alive in me – Myles Beckley” were displayed proudly, then shared joyously at the end of the meal. So many of the talks by coaches and players all night long referenced Myles and what he means to our community. His spirit soared throughout the night.

Coach Mac, again, had thought steps ahead. He told Jay earlier that he wanted to institute an annual award on behalf of Myles and had a huge plaque made that would carry the recipients names each year. Together, Coach and Jay named the award, developed criteria and selected the inaugural winners. The Myles5 award is given to player(s) each year who most demonstrate the following five qualities: Enthusiasm, Vigor, Inspiration, Joy, and BFO. BFO stands for Built For Others -- the Raider Football program’s motto. Myles 5 Award winners are ultimate team players, exhibiting these characteristics in everything they do, on and off the field, for themselves and for others. In short-hand, this is the “light you up!” award.

We had a hard time narrowing choices for the award this year – so many of our players qualify. We ultimately settled on 5 recipients for 2008, one of whom has exhibited these characteristics consistently over the course of their life and especially so with the Raiders. Myles’ best friend, and the best team manager in the CYO – his sister, Theresa Beckley. She received a standing ovation when her name was announced.

One of Jay’s light-out players this season, one who never stops smiling or putting it out there for his teammates, stopped by the house a few hours before the banquet and delivered a package. His family had contacted Coach Mac, gotten access to the equipment storage, and rummaged through past gear to find the last remaining #5 Raiders jersey from prior seasons. With great love, they managed to get the well-worn jersey in beautiful shape and created a lifetime keepsake for his Coach and the Beckleys. The most comfortable pillow you ever felt – all red with the legend “Raiders” and the number 5 on front and back.