By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Back in mid-October, the Bellmont girls soccer team captured its 10th consecutive Sectional championship with a trio of shutouts.
That’s 10 in succession. This one, however, was different.
Different in that two passionate friends of the team were not there to celebrate. Gone, but never forgotten.
Following a Tuesday practice after the Sectional, the team and coaches visited the grave sites of former BHS athletic director Dale Manis and longtime team supporter Paul Ruble.
Both men had died since the ninth Sectional win “and their absence made the moment feel incomplete,” Coach Steve Lee said.
At the grave sites, Lee “offered a few words about the team, assuring them (Dale and Paul) that they would be proud of this year’s team.”
Brianna Converset offered a prayer at the Ruble site.
Although there was no singing, Lee said he did “crank up the Foo Fighters on the way to the cemetery; Dave Grohl (lead singer for the Foos) was Dale’s favorite artist.”
Lee – just honored as small-school soccer coach of the year in District 1 – explained that on the ride home from the latest Sectional triumph, “I told Rich (Skaggs, longtime assistant coach) that it just didn’t seem the same without Dale there, since he was there for the previous nine Sectional championships. So we discussed visiting them at their grave sites.”
Dale’s is in Decatur Cemetery and Paul’s is in the Catholic cemetery.
“Dale was more than an athletic director,” according to Lee. “His leadership, passion, and unwavering belief in our potential shaped not only our success on the field but also who we are off the field.
“Dale was always present in past seasons, and his impact will be felt for years to come. The Bellmont students are better athletes, teammates, and people because of him.”
In addition, he continued, “We missed Paul’s daily support during this year’s season. In past seasons, Paul brought a handmade cooler to the games, equipped with a wired speaker and Bluetooth technology that played a special sound after our goals.
“Tears came to my eyes as those cooler sounds played at the South Bend Invite this year.”
The veteran coach issued thanks to Nick Ruble, Pau’ls cousin, “for taking the cooler this year and carrying on the tradition.”
As far as Lee is concerned, the legacies of the two men “live on through every game we play and every goal we score. This (latest) victory is our way of saying ‘thank you’ for their lasting impact on Bellmont athletics.”
NEW HONORS: Lee said the soccer team is starting another Bellmont tradition to honor the two men.
One is the Dale Manis Award, also known as the “True Teammate Award.” Lee said it goes to a non-starter who has made a significant contribution to the team’s success.
The first recipient is Sofia Steury.
The Paul Ruble Award, also called the “12th Man Award,” is given to a fan who does something special from the sidelines, Lee explained.
Nick Ruble is the initial recipient.
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