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Independence, MO —
Truman High School’s Eric Holm was watching the much publicized 2011 college basketball opener between the University of North Carolina and Michigan State, that took place on the deck of the USS Vinson – a 95 million-pound aircraft carrier – when he got an idea.
The Patriots’ activities director picked up the phone and called volleyball coach Denise Craig.
“Eric told me he was watching a basketball game on an aircraft carrier,” Craig said, grinning, “and then he said he had a great idea for this upcoming volleyball season. And I’m thinking to myself, ‘He wants to play a volleyball game on an aircraft carrier?’”
No, but Holm did have an outside-the-box plan that will become reality at 11 a.m. Monday when the first I-Town Showdown will take place at the intersection of Truman and Main Street on the Independence Square, where his Patriots and William Chrisman will meet in the first outdoor volleyball match in the history of either school.
“Dan (Ogle, Chrisman activities director) and I had been talking about doing something special with our volleyball teams,” Holm said, “and we began talking about an outdoor match. He signed on, Vanessa (Jones, the Chrisman volleyball coach) was excited about it and Denise loved the idea.”
Holm and Ogle met several times, and found an outdoor court at Heart of America Volleyball in Kansas City, Kan.
“It’s kind of a funny story,” Holm said, “because Dan I went over to get the court. Our band truck wasn’t available, and it has a hydraulic lift, so we took Chrisman’s band truck, which doesn’t have the lift.
“We loaded the entire court by ourselves, which took a little while, but it is all worth it. It’s going to be such a neat event. And the court is pretty cool – a lot like putting together Legos. They all snap together. We’re asking some of the dads on each team to come out and help us and we’re going to get started around 7 a.m. Monday.”
The buzz the game is creating is evident at both schools.
“It’s all our kids are talking about,” said Jones, who has had a couple of outdoor practice sessions. “They’re always excited about playing Truman, but this year, the excitement is just off the charts. We can’t wait.”
Ditto for Craig and her Patriots.
“I came out at 11 a.m. yesterday,” Craig said Wednesday, “and the sun was pretty brutal. But it might be overcast on Monday so it really doesn’t have an affect on the game. Our kids don’t care about the sun, the possibility of rain or any of that. They’re just excited about playing.”
Truman High School’s Eric Holm was watching the much publicized 2011 college basketball opener between the University of North Carolina and Michigan State, that took place on the deck of the USS Vinson – a 95 million-pound aircraft carrier – when he got an idea.
The Patriots’ activities director picked up the phone and called volleyball coach Denise Craig.
“Eric told me he was watching a basketball game on an aircraft carrier,” Craig said, grinning, “and then he said he had a great idea for this upcoming volleyball season. And I’m thinking to myself, ‘He wants to play a volleyball game on an aircraft carrier?’”
No, but Holm did have an outside-the-box plan that will become reality at 11 a.m. Monday when the first I-Town Showdown will take place at the intersection of Truman and Main Street on the Independence Square, where his Patriots and William Chrisman will meet in the first outdoor volleyball match in the history of either school.
“Dan (Ogle, Chrisman activities director) and I had been talking about doing something special with our volleyball teams,” Holm said, “and we began talking about an outdoor match. He signed on, Vanessa (Jones, the Chrisman volleyball coach) was excited about it and Denise loved the idea.”
Holm and Ogle met several times, and found an outdoor court at Heart of America Volleyball in Kansas City, Kan.
“It’s kind of a funny story,” Holm said, “because Dan I went over to get the court. Our band truck wasn’t available, and it has a hydraulic lift, so we took Chrisman’s band truck, which doesn’t have the lift.
“We loaded the entire court by ourselves, which took a little while, but it is all worth it. It’s going to be such a neat event. And the court is pretty cool – a lot like putting together Legos. They all snap together. We’re asking some of the dads on each team to come out and help us and we’re going to get started around 7 a.m. Monday.”
The buzz the game is creating is evident at both schools.
“It’s all our kids are talking about,” said Jones, who has had a couple of outdoor practice sessions. “They’re always excited about playing Truman, but this year, the excitement is just off the charts. We can’t wait.”
Ditto for Craig and her Patriots.
“I came out at 11 a.m. yesterday,” Craig said Wednesday, “and the sun was pretty brutal. But it might be overcast on Monday so it really doesn’t have an affect on the game. Our kids don’t care about the sun, the possibility of rain or any of that. They’re just excited about playing.”
Truman senior Sarah Peck said she is pleased to be a part of this unique experience.
“I’m so happy they did this my senior year,” Peck said, “because you’d hate to miss out on something like this. We’re all talking about playing at Santa-Cali-Gon, and playing outdoors. It’s just going to be so cool.”
Holm and Ogle also were the innovators who brought the I-Town Showdown, the annual basketball contest that allows the Bears and Patriots to play at the Independence Events Center.
“I really enjoy getting together with Eric and brainstorming for new ideas,” Ogle said. “This is really creating a lot of excitement at each school. We’re going to bring in some bleachers, but most fans will probably just stand around the court or bring lawn chairs.”
The event is going to be free, because Ogle said, “It would be impossible to charge an admission for an outdoor event like this. We’re just eager to see how it all works out and how many fans do show up.”
