Fairfield Schools praises Libby football team

To The Community, School, Students, Staff, and Administration of Libby:

As many of you may know, the community and school here in Fairfield have been working through a tragic accident involving two of our students, which ultimately resulted in a fatality. To say the least, it has been a very difficult start to the year and the painful emotions that accompany such an event, sometimes force those of us in the education profession to question a lot of things, including our career choice. But, in the middle of all of this, we have also found strength and reassurance, partially due to the actions of communities and students from some of the schools thrust into our situation by pre-determined events — like scheduled football games.

After the season opening game(s) the weekend of Sept. 2 involving our two schools, we feel compelled to write to the students, staff, and fans from Libby about the positive impact your actions that weekend had on all of us here in Fairfield. Your players were very respectful of the difficult atmosphere of our school, from the minute they arrived. The entire team was polite and conscientious of what was going on as they interacted with our staff and students preparing for the event. The degree of sportsmanship on both sides as the game unfolded stood out as players from both teams continually helped each other up and congratulated each other after every play. Even the officials referenced the sportsmanship and the positive relationship between teams throughout the game. The scoreboard became somewhat insignificant as the night went on and we all watched young men from both schools play a game that was fun and therapeutical for them, despite the events of the long week prior.

Late in the game, a fan from the far sideline approached the announcer’s booth with a generous donation of money collected from the Libby faithful who had made the long trip over and asked that it be given to families affected by the tragedy. The amount almost doubled the sum from the 50/50 also being donated to the families that night. Generosity beyond words.

The most touching gesture of all, and one that again helped us appreciate what we do in education, came when the game ended that night. There was a community balloon release ceremony for the family and student we lost. As both teams finished the traditional shaking of hands after the game, the Libby team and coaches respectfully gathered in an organized single file line along the far goal line on one knee in a heart-felt showing of respect. They could have easily gone to the locker room and it would have been very OK to do so, but instead, they chose to not only demonstrate their acknowledgment, but to participate in the ceremony by joining hand-in-hand with our community and student circle around the field. It was a class act and our whole town took notice.

It had also been pre-determined that Fairfield would host the Libby team in our school over-night and reciprocate the hospitality shown to us last year. There was a barbecue for the team and they slept in our gym in order to play a JV game the following Saturday morning. The genuine politeness and helpfulness was again noticed by many of the parents who were helping with the hospitality. Several students, without being asked, took it upon themselves to clean-up in our kitchen while others were being served. The locker room and gym were left spotless, without a trace of garbage or mess. Libby had now touched our students, our administration, our fans, and even our janitorial staff. There is no one in Fairfield associated with the school that weekend who did not take notice and appreciate the Libby Loggers.

Your incredible demonstrations of compassion, sportsmanship, and overall conduct that weekend speak volumes about the integrity of your school and community.

Sincerely,

Fairfield Schools