What is tradition? Well, Websters dictionary say its a long established custom or practice that has the effect of an unwritten law! and they may be true but to me it is a little more than that its where things are remembered and retold and where new memories are made. That my friends, is a tradition and it happens every year here at Littlestown High and many others schools across this country.
I guess to understand the tradition here at Littlestown High I think a little bit of the history is in order. It all started in 1947 when Littlestown drop its soccer program and started the Football team.  That first team included many names that would play this game for more than three generations over the past 54 years. Robert Harner, Wilmer Duttera, Glenn Crouse, Ralph Unger and Clyde Bucher were all part of that team who had children how also played for future Thunderbolt squads. In its second season the Thunderbolts started a winning tradition that was to become almost legendary. In the 1948 season the Bolts were 6-1 in conference play and won its first of many championships when they named Co-champions in the little 4 conference with Dallastown. In the third year the 1949 squad was undefeated in league play and won their first out right championship. The coach for the first 8 years was Clayton Evans who went on to become the field announcer for many year until his retirement in the late 70s.
In 1954 a new Coach  took over for the Bolts and immediate started to develop more tradition of winning and hard nose defense. The 1954 squad coached by Wilbur Gobrecht  went on to win its first championship and the team went Undefeated (7-0-1). It is here where the tradition really started to take off. For the next six year Littlestown teams never finished lower than third in the league and won 3 out right and 1 co-championships in the six years. The 1960 team was the last team in this run. The team was coached Ron Lawhead and captured another championship by going 7-0-1 and winning the Laurel League championship. From 1961 to 1968 Littlestown football fell on hard times and didn't have a wining record over those years. But in 1968 a new coach Hal Bauer  took over the reins for Bill Heyser and within two years he had the Thunderbolts back with that winning tradition. The 1969 and 1970   teams were runner-ups in the Old Blue Mountain League. By the way take a close look and see how many current coaches that were on that team.

The second week is more of a fun week it's the blue and gold game. That's where are team is broken into two teams blue (which is home) and gold (which is away). The coaches have had let the game go on for as far back as I can remember. The game tone is essentially fun spirited but at heart no one likes to lose so there are some nice hard hits but do in to others as you would have them do unto you (Boyd). And after the game, there is chili dinner that is made by team members. This is some of the different things that become tradition during summer camp.
Then the season begins and before you know it, it's over. Toward the end of the season last year the coaches started a new tradition of the Spaghetti dinner. This was the first time the team did this and I was really glad they did cause it was a nice fellowship for everyone on the team as well as our families. As the season winds down we get ready to face the fact that all great things must end. Senior night is the mark of the end for all the realization of goals and dreams that may have not come true but I would not have traded any of my experiences for the world. But along with senior night come room and car decorating by the one girl who was there for you the entire season your cheerleader (not your mom). She will put the works on for you by decorating you room   and car   with banners and confetti. And for me having your best friend as your cheerleader is kind of special. Also senior night is a night where the school honors not only senior football players as well senior band members and cheerleaders. My mother receives a beautiful carnation  as do all moms and we are introduced and we run out on the field at the center of the stadium.