By FRED KRONER
fred@sjodaily.com
St. Joseph-Ogden’s softball program is celebrating its 40th year of existence this season.
The sport was first offered in the fall of 1979 with an abbreviated schedule of 12 games.
As improbable as it seems, the current 2019 team has a link to the inaugural team.
The tie centers around Kim (Brooks) Allen, a player on the first SJ-O team, and her mother, Nita Brooks, who was recognized as the school’s top sports fan.
Nita Brooks’ license plate cemented her reputation: “SJO FAN 1.”
She passed away in July, 2017. Tributes to Nita Brooks were a part of the 2017-18 school year at various SJ-O home sporting events.
First-year Spartan softball head coach Larry Sparks was anxious to continue some sort of recognition this spring.
“I wanted to do something in Nita’s name without adding yet another award at the end of the season,” Sparks said.
He broached the topic at a pre-season meeting with his assistant coaches.
“Almost as fast as I talked, Dave Richmond had a picture of a shirt picturing the bubble gum (Dubble Bubble) that Nita used to supply the girls at all the games,” Sparks said.
Shortly later, the Nita Brooks Award was created.
“It is a Player of the Game who shows effort and attitude above and beyond the normal softball stuff,” Sparks said. “The coaches handed it out first, and whoever possesses it picks the next recipient.”
The recognition occurs only following wins.
“After a loss, it will go back to the coaches, and the process resumes on the next win,” Sparks said.
Some of last year’s traditions have also remained intact.
Nita Brooks’ license plate is affixed to the right field fence – near where she would always park – and for the second year, players individually run out and touch it on their way to their positions prior to the game.
One occupant of the right field seating area beyond the fence now is Kim Allen.
“I would sit (there) with mom and dad,” she said. “I sit in right field where my parents always sat.”
Another SJ-O softball assistant is Aaron Allen, Kim’s husband.
When he told his wife and daughter (Morgan), about what was planned for the season, he said, “they were in tears.”
The honor is also especially meaningful for the current juniors and seniors, who became aware of Nita Brooks’ loyalty to the softball team when they were freshmen and/or sophomores.
“It’s a big deal and elates them,” Aaron Allen said. “They know how much Nita loved the softball team and the Spartans.
“Carrying her tradition on means the most.”
Ironically, Kim Allen doesn’t remember her mom supplying gum when she was playing. The family is unsure exactly when the tradition started, but Aaron Allen is sure of one date.
“Since at least ’96 when we started dating,” he said.
The T-shirt is Columbia blue, one of SJ-O’s school colors. The chosen player is pictured in the shirt with Aaron Allen, and the photo is distributed through social media.
After the first 10 wins, just two Spartans had won it twice (senior Katie Poulter and freshman Kennedy Hudson).
Other early winners: Raegan Crippen, Bailey Dowling, Savannah Smith, Lauren Trankina, Kaylee Ward and Zoey Witruk.
“Nita was one of the greatest fans that SJ-O has ever had,” Sparks said. “The shirt award is our contribution to keeping her legacy as the No. 1 Spartan fan alive.
“She was a Spartan fan. Period. Whatever the season, she was there.”
The availability of gum for the softball team has also not faded away.
“I still do it,” Aaron Allen said.
There is no foreseeable end to when he will stop.
“Even after I quit coaching, I’ll make sure it still gets done,” Aaron Allen said.
