Sports : Alumni Football: Vikes focus on winning; alumni band members to play

Last year's inaugural Vinton-Shellsburg Alumni Football game at Center Point-Urbana was a big success in every way but one.

The team attracted 30 players, some as far back as 1983. Well over 1,000 fans attended the game. The event raised money that the Alumni members were able to share with the Vinton-Shellsburg Athletic Dept. The event inspired more people -- players, cheerleaders and this year, even band alumni -- to participate in this year's game in Vinton.

But the players have been spending the last year thinking of the one success that eluded them in 2011: They lost.

CPU defeated the VS squad 12-0.

Along with the other goals for the 2012 game, a W is a priority for captain Randy Scheel and the rest of the Vikings.

"Losing is not fun," said Scheel. "Losing last year has certainly been a sore point for the players who were on the field for that game. Also, this may be the last year our two teams play since CPU is talking about playing Alburnett next year and we are looking at playing Benton Community. So with it being a home game for us, winning is our focus."

Tickets available

The team plans a practice on Thursday, at 7 p.m.and may get together Friday for one more evening of preparation; the game takes place at 7 p.m.Saturday, June 16.

Tickets are on sale from team members at $10 per ticket (7 and under are free). Half of all pre-game ticket sales will come back to the VS and CPU school district or school programs.

"In just the 1st week, I have handed out 200 tickets to just a few of our players. Our goal is to fill the stands with 2000 or more fans and I think we are on our way towards that goal," said Scheel.

Representatives from the Alumni Football USA program plan to arrive at the football field at around 2:30 p.m., said Scheel.

Alumni Band to play; 9-year-old to sing National Anthem

Former VS Middle School Band Director will lead an Alumni Band that includes the Community Band members as well as former VSHS band members. Band alum Channing Merchant, who is now the band director at South Tama is among those who are planning to play.

"And many of our Community Band members are alumni from way back," says Trygstad, who taught band at VSMS for three decades.

The band will not march, said Trygstad. They will play the school song and other "pep band" type songs.

In addition to the band, a youngster will be singing the National Anthem.

"We may have one of the youngest soloists to ever sing the National Anthem," said Scheel, "Nine-year-old Jenna Pattee will be doing this for us prior to kick off.