Unionville High School, The Graphic, 1948, Page 68

Description:	THE TRI-COUNTY TOURNEYI was born to Monroe, Morgan, and Owen counties in the year 1932.At the suggestion of Bud Thomas, a newspaper writer for the Gosport Reporter, my birth was arranged. It was attended by Thomas F. Hodges, thenGosport Coach, noW County Superintendent of Owen County; Cloyd Ryan,then coach at Paragon, now Principal at Monticello; Peedad Campbell, formerStinesville coach; and Ralph F. Wershing. Ralph Wer shing was given thetask of Caring for me and has faithfully served in this capacity ever since.It really was a royal birth since there were so many celebrities in attendance, don’t you think?I started active life in 1933 at Stinesville. I am a brother to theWalbash Valley and to the Sectional. I am a near cousin to other Tourneys.Another variation of my name is Tournament. You can spell it any wayyou like as long as you retain the exact lettering of either of the aforementioned names.I am not constructed of bones, blood, skin, et cetera, as peopleare. I am inanimate, and my body is made up of schools, ball teams,referees, coaches, gymnasiums and last, but not least, fans. Whilebodily-construction is not considered a part of most autobiographies,it is a very important part of this one. I have been affected by indigestionsince birth. It seems each team in my stomach is always trying to get ontop. One will succeed--only to be defeated the next year by another team.Eminence, Smithville, Paragon, Ellettsville, Monrovia, Gosport, Unionville,Stinesville, and Morgantown have had a part in bringing on my digestivedisturbances.Many people are interested in me. The annual trophies bearingmy name are much sought after. I am the subject of conversation in schoolsand fill much space in the newspapers. Unionville was the happy winnerof one of my trophies in the year 1942. It proudly bears the names ofCharlie Botkins, Sigel Riddle, Homer Richardson, Glen Myers, Bill Polley,Joe Workman, Robert Richardson, Kenneth Kuhnes, Raymond Hawley, andJim Skirvin who were on the team that year.I close my autobiography with this thought. Whether a team winsor loses is relatively unimportant. To fight to the end with all the oddsagainst you is a valuable aid to character. Sportsmanship carries throughall the activities of our lives.Vernal RichardsonLithographed & Bound byW ALSWORTH BROTHERSMaroeline, Mo., U. 8. A.walsworth]
Source:	http://cdm17129.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/hs-unionville/id/459
Collection:	Unionville High School

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