THE FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS LEGACY OF SERVICE

by LOIS BOLIN, Ph.D., Old Naples Historian

History, it seems, does not matter in modern society. Yet, the study of the past is essential for ‘rooting’ people in time and that matters because people who feel themselves to be rootless live rootless lives, often causing damage to themselves and others in the process. (Penelope J. Corfield)

People who suffer from amnesia are unable to recognize friends or foes and are left to the mercy of others to provide context and missing information, which is obviously shaped by their perceptions or agendas. Cultural amnesia works in the same manner. It is the memory of our individual and collective histories that gives our world meaning.

Over the years, we have seen courses in history stripped away from the curriculum in public schools as historic buildings and landscapes are being destroyed all in the name of progress. Once upon a time, very few knew there was/is an historic district in Naples, which runs from 9th Avenue South to 13th Avenue South to the Gulf of Mexico to Third Street South (just in case you were wondering) or thought that Naples didn’t really have any history. Within those historic district boundaries were individuals who had a living history and oh what a history it was.

Friday Night Lights
One of the sweetest legacies in our community and country is Friday night football, which is often a source of pride and community spirit which brings people together in a way that few other events can.

Many high school football teams have a long history, and the games are a way for people to connect with their community, often creating that sense of belonging we all crave and need. Naples High School football does just that.

The Lehman Legacy Service Award
Thirteen years ago, an award was created in honor of Rex and Elsie Lehman, who are credited with starting the winning legacy of Naples High School Football in 1949. The Award began in 2011 when Jean Walker Humphries (NHS Class of ’61), Lehman’s granddaughter, uncovered a commemorative football the Quarterback Club gave to Rex following his tenure as president.

“I wanted to create something to honor someone dedicated to service, because that’s what my grandpa did,” Humphries said. “He didn’t play football, but he was responsible for creating the team.”

Marlys Walker, daughter of Rex and Elsie Lehman, said, “My father wanted to see his newborn grandson, Robert Walker Jr., play football so he started the Naples football team in 1949 with just 12 players wearing borrowed jerseys from Ft. Myers High School. He taught the sport to the students, and the Golden Eagles took the field for the first time on Sept. 29, 1950, for a six-man game against Venice High”.

Unfortunately, a mosquito bite at the age of 10 prevented Robert Jr. from ever playing football but it did not abate the Lehman’s passion for Naples High School football. The Lehman Legacy Award winner, whose name is kept secret until the NHS Football game halftime, will have their name revealed on the Legacy trophy at the Naples field house’s Wall of Fame.

The Start of Something New

TIM GUERETTE WITH LEGACY AWARD

Thirteen years ago, the Walker family and Lois Bolin launched the award and, today, it has transformed into the Lehman Legacy’s Football Service Award, sponsored by Matt Moen of M&M’s Café and Royal Scoop Berkshire; Tim Guerrette, USAF Veteran, former NHS JV Coach, and CEO of Florida Pro Real Estate Academy; and Wayne Smith, USAF Veteran and Hall of Famer from Eastern High School in Louisville, KY (home of the founder of Naples, Walter Haldeman.) In addition to having their name on the trophy displayed in the Naples field house, they will receive a $2000 scholarship.

History isn’t just a dusty collection of names and dates from the past. It’s a mirror reflecting our city and county’s evolution, a guidebook to our present, and a compass pointing to our future. Thanks to the Lehman family for starting this legacy of Naples High School football; thanks to their family who refused to let the history be forgotten; and special thanks to the legacy leaders, Moen, Guerette, and Smith, who have committed to keeping NHS Football legacy alive, making NHS Friday Night lights look brighter than ever.