What people, places or events pop into your mind when you think of great traditions? As a current principal, former coach and enthusiastic participant (although now on a bad knee and carrying a few extra pounds) in a number of sports, I often think of traditions linked to athletics. I am a tremendous believer in the positive lessons that involvement in elite sports programs have on participants over a sustained period of time. A lifetime of positive effects in many instances. Loyalty to their school, team and coach is unwavering - Notre Dame football (Knute Rockne), Duke and North Carolina basketball (Mike Krzyzewski and Dean Smith), Green Bay Packers (Vince Lombardi). The teams and their coaches form the pantheon of excellence and achievement in sports and American culture.

Homecoming 2005 at Port Byron was a perfect example of how winning traditions can reside outside of multi-million dollar professional sports franchises and big-time college athletic programs. On a beautiful late September Friday night at half-time of the Port Byron Homecoming football game, dozens of former football players followed their former coach, teacher and mentor, Gino Alberici, onto the field one more time. Some of these men traveled from as far away as Massachusetts and Indiana to stand behind their coach for those few brief moments. That's loyalty. That is truly having an impact on people that transcends sports, and directly influences the day-to-day lives of the individuals involved.

Men in their 30s, 40s and 50s were brought together because of the influence that one man had on their life. In listening to the comments from the players throughout the evening and at the dinner the following night, it was clear to see that Coach Alberici was loved and respected by his former players because of the “big picture” effect he had on them, on the life lessons that he imparted to them about hard work, dedication, persistence and teamwork. The football skills have long since lost their significance (although some may still think they have another touchdown or two in them), but clearly the life lessons forged on the practice fields years ago have left an indelible mark on literally hundreds of former players.

That's tradition.

Thank you to Coach Alberici for giving the current generation of students at Port Byron a terrific example of great leadership. Leadership that not only wins football games, but wins respect and gratitude from the impressionable minds that grow from boys to men under your watch. The record speaks for itself. One of the winningest coaches in New York state history.

The truly great and lasting impact was evident on our football field a couple of weeks ago.

At Port Byron, that tradition of winning for a lifetime is one that we hope to model every year for our Homecoming celebration to recognize the best of what we are and what we can become - a culture of achievement.

Shawn Bissetta is principal of Dana L. West High School in Port Byron