Story:Honoring Who Came First
Honoring Who Came First
Written by Sam Gwosdz
December 4, 2022 - Patriot Stadium, Williamsburg, VA
In Williamsburg, the fans were already packing the stands; a sellout crowd to see the team play the Pittsburgh Keystones. Even with the team's rotten 5-10 start, that didn't dampen the enthusiasm for the season's 40th anniversary celebrations. And this was already shaping up to be a special ceremony as the arena lights shone on a podium set up at center court. Beside the podium was a retro home jersey of the Minutemen, the back of it signed by each of the honorees. Jerry Buckenheimer's (deer) voice came across the speakers of the stadium:
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Patriot Stadium and this very special ceremony. Please direct your attention tot the court as tonight, we honor the members of the original Williamsburg Minutemen team!"
The crowd cheered as the former team made their way to the stage. All of them were at least in their sixties, with each of them wearing a special replica Minutemen warm up jacket over their formal clothes.
"First, the team's coach, the only one for thirty-five seasons. He amassed 1,412 victories and five Coach of the Year awards and even played point guard for the first squad. Give a warm welcome back for point guard and coach: number one, Morgan Roosevelt!"
The crowd erupted as Roosevelt waved to the crowd with a big smile. He still with a strong walk despite being in his sixties. For the occasion, he sported his slicked-back hairstyle as clips of him playing point guard for the team showed on the arena's screen.
"And now for the guards: Number 3, Brad Seaver."
The shorter beaver stood at the podium with a big toothy smile and a wave.
"Number 7, Daniel Sanderson."
The older skunk whose fur was a little more grey than black gave a curt wave as he stood at the podium.
"The Minutemen's first player and FBA Hall of Famer, Number 8, Jske "Sure Shot" Masters!"
A big cheer reverberated from the stadium as the older orange tabby smiled and waved heartily to the fans. He was also clearly not trying to be too emotional, but he was better at it now.
"Number 17, P. J. Drew."
The coyote, who looked good for his age, thumped his chest a little and gave a wave.
"Number 21, Rick van Nelson."
Known as being a bit quiet during his playing days, the arctic fox just gave a curt smile and wave as he stood on the podium.
"Number 23, Patrick Brooks."
The elder cheetah, whose fur was a little faded, stood up to the podium and waved a little enthusiastically, enjoying the moment.
"Number 27, Tommy Williams."
The red fox was like van Nelson, just stepping up to the podium and waving, acknowledging the cheers.
"And now the forwards: number 11, Carol Majewski!"
A louder cheer raised up for the Minutemen's first female player and first popular dunker. The brunette kangaroo smiled broadly and waved to the crowd.
"Number 29, Albert Benson."
The taller Great Dane gave a curt nod and wave to the fans.
"Number 34, Carlos Palmeiro."
The tallest forward, Palmeiro had a hint of trouble getting up on the podium and got some assistance from Benson and he politely gave a wave to the crowd for their applause.
"Number 55, Andrew Freeman."
The hyena had a big toothy grin on his face as he stepped up and accepted the cheers with two hands above his head.
"And the centers: starting with our first team captain and FBA Hall of Famer: number 32, Rick Walton!"
The lion had a very grey mane, but he still kept it full and his smile was big despite being nearly eighty. The crowd roared their approval for the old captain as he smiled and waved.
"Number 40, Theodore Terdoslavich!"
Another roar of approval came from the crowd as the wolf grinned and gave a hearty wave. His work on the early Minutemen teams had eaerned him a new wave of popularity over the years.
"And Number 48, Clark Bailey!"
The crowd continued the cheers as the Bengal tiger smiled and waved to the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the 1983-84 Williamsburg Minutemen team! Stay after the game when you can be part of a raffle to win a jersey signed by each member of our inaugural squad!"
The fans provided a loud final round of cheers and applause for the former players and coach before they left the court. The ceremony probably inspired the current team as they went out and defeated the visiting Keystones by 14 points with Renee Fiora doing her best impression of Majewski with several dunks on the way to a 21-point night.
All in all, a fitting capper to the basketball day for Williamsburg.
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