Even though I was never a soccer player myself, I feel a certain sense of pride for what the Tremper High School Girls Soccer Team did this past season. Back in my days as a Tremper Trojan, I had this coach for JV basketball–Todd Hardy. This guy was a real piece of work. Always made us play when we were injured just because he wanted to show us what “pain” really was. Always made us run 6 miles at the beginning of practice (holding two basketballs, mind you). And if the torture that he put us through at practice/games wasn’t enough, he then had the audacity to come and toiletpaper some of our houses on the weekend. I know–I was just as surprised that a grown man would do that.

OR… I’m being completely sarcastic and I think the complete WORLD of Todd. He was one of those “teacher figures” back in HS that just found a way to hit home with you and be more of a friend/mentor than a teacher/parent type. A smile still comes across my face when I think of toiletpapering HIS house and how he got back at us by having us “arrested” during class one day and lead through the hallway in cuffs during passing time, just to embarass us. We always figured he was gay (not that there is anything wrong with that), but who knew–he actually bribed some naive lady to stick with him. Who knew. Regardless, he’s just an all-around great person and I am confident in saying that the reason I am as weird as I am is completely due to him.

After I graduated, Todd couldn’t bring himself to coach basketball anymore because of the emotional strain it put on him (because I wasn’t there anymore). So, he took over coaching the Tremper Girls Soccer Team and has done a hell of a job. This year, they made it all the way to the semifinals of the state tournament when they lost to powerhouse Brookfield Central (who went on to win the state title). Doing that and everything leading up to that also landed Todd the WSCA (Wisconsin State Coaches Association) Coach of the Year Award.

So, congrats to you, Todd, and congrats to the Tremper Girls Soccer Team for making an alum proud. Go Trojans!!