Lets talk a little about “Lagniappe” here in a few minutes…but first let’s talk about the Moravian vs. Muhlenberg rivalry.
We move into our “Rivalry” week with our neighbor in Allentown – Muhlenberg College. I’m not really sure if they are actually my own personal rival – I mean I did go to school there after all.
So can you be a rival and an alum at the same time……kinda like married and divorced simultaneously?
Obviously I am coaching at Moravian and I want our troops to win….do I hate Muhlenberg or it’s players. No way – this is a football game, a competition…a game that has a score that I will forget a few months from now.
In my case….many people often ask me how in the world can you help at Moravian when you went to school at Muhlenberg? Well….I don’t know if it is all that complicated. I am a football coach after all. That’s what I do – that’s what I have done my whole adult life.
****Ask me how my friend Gary Moeller could be the head coach at the University of Michigan when he was an All American and National Champion at The Ohio State University?? Do you think that rivalry might just be a tad bit intense?****
Yeah, I went to college in Allentown – love my classmates – and my teammates at Muhlenberg. But, they aren’t in school there anymore and neither am I. So what is the big deal? Why is it so unusual or alien for me to be coaching at Moravian?
I had a great time there….actually too good of a time if you ask many people. Glad I was a Mule at that point of my life…but now I am very happy being on the Hounds football staff.
Yes, the schools are night and day – undoubtedly. But aren’t all colleges supposed to have their own niche. Moravian people say that the Mules are all Theater and English majors (I was by the way)….Muhlenberg people say that Moravian grads are all cops and nurses. Is that true?…doubtful!
I disagree with both schools of thought and I think my perspective is a little better than most. I attended and played at Muhlenberg – my son attended and played at Moravian – I coach at Moravian. Both places mean a lot to me…..neither is better than the other – each has it’s place . It depends on what you need and what you want for your life.
Enough useless philosophy. The Hounds go into this weekend as the underdog (well a Hound is a dog last time I checked). The Mules are very good and have had a successful season. Well, in all honesty – at Moravian we are really young and inexperienced and there are many bright days ahead. But, I can see why we would be thought of as an underdog.
But, we still have to play the game right??!!
But, despite the differences in each season this will be a hard fought game. There will be no backing down by any team this Saturday. No matter which sideline you stand on we each expect the best efforts from our respective teams.
*****
That brings me to the subject of “Lagniappe”.
I learned the word “Lagniappe” from my late friend Frank Gansz. He was one of the most inspirational and intense coaches I have been around. A very well educated man who found his calling in teaching young men not only how to play football – but how to walk through their lives.
“Lagniappe” is a word found in. several cultures – but here in the states it is most frequently heard in the deep southeast and Louisiana in particular.
The word “Lagniappe” is French Creole (If you have been to the Deep South you will recognize the influence of the Creole and French people and the mingling of the two). Generally you hear it the most during the Christmas holiday season.
In a broad sense it means “A little extra….a little more….something added”. For instance it comes into play when a store owner or shop keeper greets a steady customer and wants to thank that person for their continued business during the year.
So during this joyous time of year the owner wants to do something nice. Often that person will give a small gift – candy, sweets, cakes etc. to their everyday people. It is a show of gratitude for what the customers do to support them all year round.
As a parent you walk into the bakery where you buy bread and cakes all year round – the proprietor who is so thankful for your loyal business gives your small child a cupcake or doughnut (beignet if you are in New Orleans!). That is Lagniappe – the small gift for who you are and what you mean to them.
Well, Frank incorporated this word into football. He used it in this sense (Or senses I guess)…..to him he wanted out team to do a little extra in everyday life. In meetings – just a little bit more….at practice a little bit harder…in games – a little bit faster and tougher than our opponents.
So just play a little bit harder every play!
But, a step further…Frank encouraged us to give a little bit extra on the field for your teammate. prepare just a little extra – for your teammate. Well – you see what I mean.
To sum up – for you underclassmen who are silly enough to read my words – I ask you for a little “Lagniappe” thru Rivalry Week. Let’s give a little bit more every day for our Seniors….for the people who we have counted on all year.
Without you knowing it you have received “Lagniappe” from them on everyday since you have known them! It’s the least we can do for them.
Lets have some Lagniappe!