Don't lose sight of history

A few years ago, a visitor could walk onto the indoor track that circles the gymnasium of Palmer High School and see a trophy case that was absolutely bursting at the seams.

In the glass case were dozens and dozens of trophies that served as symbols of the glory of Palmer High's past. There were records on the wall, reminding fans of the feats of former Moose athletes.

But today there is a more manicured look. It's not quite as cluttered. But it's just not the same.

Decades of accomplishments, ranging from individual titles to state championships, have overflowed from the school's existing trophy cases into a storage room. More than 1,500 pieces of hardware have been packed into boxes and put onto shelves.

After long debates of what to do with all of these accolades, the Palmer High School administration has recently decided to just get rid of them. Coaches get first dibs. Then it's first come, first served - something like a rummage sale of Palmer's athletics history.

PHS has decided to keep the first-place trophies from the last four years, but the rest have to go.

PHS assistant principal Cheryl Sullivan told the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman in an article published on March 28, the school only will display first-place regional and state titles, along with trophies from the most recent four years. Anything beyond that, such as invitational tournament championships and holiday classics, will be discarded.

Is this the right message to send?

Seems a little hypocritical to me.

The Palmer High School football squad earned hardware for finishing as the state runner-up. But it's not first place, so where's it going to go?

A school that has enjoyed the athletic success Palmer High has is bound to accumulate a virtual motherlode of hardware. Tons of trophies are handed out now. There's not just team trophies, but individual honors. There's sportsmanship awards and academic honors.

But who can judge what is more worthy of a spot in the case - a football trophy from 1995 or a swimming trophy from 1992. What about a sportsmanship award versus an academic award?

We preach success in academics. But those awards may not fall under the category of first-place trophy.

In this case, success can cause problems. But it's a good problem to have. And there is a positive solution that can be found. Organize them by sport, and give them to the various booster clubs. There are more than enough bare walls in the building screaming for something to jazz them up.

How about a trophy case?

It could be a good semester project for a wood shop class.

Funding a problem?

I am sure there are more than enough business willing to throw PHS a few bucks to cover the cost of Plexiglas and some lumber.

The Dumpsters are not the only option.

Palmer High School is moving forward, but it can't lose sight of history. There are decades worth of history that go beyond the state championships the school has earned. I understand Palmer High's rich athletic tradition. I was there. I was part of it. And it's nice to return to my alma mater and take a look at the symbols of the achievements of the athletes from my era, those before me and those after.

Give those who may not understand the opportunity to realize Palmer's rich tradition.

Let the athletes know that what they are competing for is bigger than just themselves.

Jeremiah Bartz is the Frontiersman sports editor