Downey Warren Spirit Week
by Lorine Parks
Lovers of high school football, lovers of Downey, lovers of Downey Rotary – this program was for you.
It's Spirit Week in Downey as the city championship is up for grabs on Friday night. There’s a really big trophy, which Roger Brossmer brought along for us to see. Downey Rotary hosted both Warren HS and Downey HS football teams today for our annual lunch leading up to Friday's big game, which this year will be played at Warren.
Our own Dr. John Garcia kicked off the program, and reminded us that he had played in the game, as both a junior and a senior at Downey High. “Now I’m the Superintendent of schools, so officially I don’t have a favorite,” John said. “But I can tell you players this. You will remember this all the rest of your lives.”
What makes this rivalry so special, in the history of what can become in other cities a form of internecine warfare? The schools compete in a cross-town rivalry all year in other sports, but it’s the annual football game that brings out the legend. It’s the spirit in which it is carried out. Which high school you went to, in Downey, really defines you, in intangible ways. To alumni and alumnae of both schools, later on it makes for an intense friendship.
This attitude of sportsmanship fiercely acted out, has brought national attention to Downey. And fierce it has been. The excitement continued with introductions of the principals of each school, Laura Rivas and Tom Houts, who then introduced the athletic directors, the coaches, and a half dozen of the players and the cheerleader squads, all of whom were our guests for this luncheon affair.
As Warren’s principal Rivas said, “The Spirit on our campus is palpable.” Typical Spirit Week activities at both schools include Inside Out Day, Five Pillars of Citizenship Day, Tacky Tourist, Tug of War, Spirit Quad, Pride Day, and Pep Rally.
The Downey coach advised us to get to the stadium early because these games are always sold out. Gates open at 5 pm. Although Downey is ranked number 2 in the CIF and Warren is 8, in this game anything can happen. From the 30 yard line to the goal line, the seats will be filled with students, “yelling, screaming, cheering, throwing confetti.” “This is a fun rivalry that sparks a lot of trash talking around town, and all by really old alum,” said Mario Guerra.
The Warren athletic director regaled us with stories of practices, trick plays, and “do you remember that, Matt Knox.” Then he turned serious, and told us that “the way the players and students conduct themselves, makes their schools, proud, makes Downey proud.”
The Warren coach in a gesture of sportsmanship paid tribute to Downey’s excellence so far this year, as “top of our heap.” In support of the students he said, “For twenty years I was at Long Beach schools, and it was never like this.” “Downey,” he said, “you don’t know how blessed you are. This is a ‘good’ rivalry. This game is not only good for Downey, it’s good for high school football all over this country.”
As the climax to the day, the cheerleaders took center stage. In the small-ish space that had been cleared for them, each school performed a rousing cheer. First came Warren, six girls in white with their shoulder seams outlined in gold, and blue and gold inserts in the kick pleats of their skirts, waving gold pompoms. WARREEEENNN FIGHT!
Seeing their lithe athletic bodies reminded us that only two weeks ago, Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill into law making cheer leading an official high school sport in California. This step is about equity and respect for athletes who engage in some of the most dangerous activities on our school campuses. These athletes will earn the respect and have the safety standards they deserve. Equity comes in many forms and here it comes in recognition that a traditional female activity can also be a sport.
Equally athletic and trim, Downey’s squad of fifteen high-stepped in precision, echoing their school’s colors in their white tunics and shorts with crimson side panels and crimson and gold outlining their biceps and necklines/collarbones. “GO VIKES!”
This was Downey Rotary at its most fundamental, getting connected with the community, sharing an event and letting Downey know we care.
Dr. John concluded the meeting by commenting, “Histories and memories are made from this, of the times when we were young. We learned how to win and lose. We may take this peaceful rivalry for granted in Downey, but it’s not this way wherever you go.”
President Will concluded the program by asking the principals of Downey and Warren to sign the book for the Downey Library, commemorating their visit.