I grew up with the most amazing dad in the world. He is smart, compassionate, patient, and a great teacher. He has been a teacher since 1980 and a football coach since 1981 and all at one school. Hundreds of students and athletes have passed through his classroom and football field. There have been ups and downs, ahem, including my teenage years but he handled it all with class and patience.
I got a email a few months back that the football alumni and school board wanted to honor his 30 years of service and invited our family to help surprise him at the first home game of the season. So my mother, sister, the hubs, and I sneakily made plans to all attend the game. There were also 52 alumni football players in attendance and we were off to the races! The football team was led down the field by a group of Harley’s and got the crowd really fired up. Then each team took there warmups. Finally we got to the surprise, my family met the alumni at midfield and shocked the hell out of my dad. A heartfelt speak was written and read by my dad’s assistant coach of 28 years. Then the big reveal….
The school board named the field after him! Pike Valley football field is now Don Melby Field!

Dad was shocked to the point of tears. Such an amazing gift from a supportive community. I’d like to take a moment to explain why this is do special. Not only has father lived and taught in this community for 30 years, he also grew up there. He attended high school and won three back to back to back state football championships. He built a home right across the street from the field with his wife and raised two daughters here. So now every morning he can step onto the porch and see that sign. A testament to his hard work and dedication.
I cannot thank the players, families, boosters, and the community enough for this honor. It means the world to my dad and our family. Such a rare thing in this world today and it must be celebrated!

Happy Labor Day!!