Each time this year, one is reminded that the Duke of Wellington claimed the battle of Waterloo was won on the fields of Eton. It was probably a bit much to attribute Bonaparte's defeat to Rugby, but it makes for a nice metaphor.

No world shaking events will ever be attributed to the Fields of Carpy--or more precisely, Carpy Field. But it is not an overstatement to say the lives of individual children have been deeply affected on the grass between Tainter and Adams since 1936 when Mr. Carpy started the Gang.

I was reminded of the Gang's great contributions when Artie Carr stopped by the office to tell me that sign ups would be August 1st over at the RLS.

Artie is “Old School.” Like me—a Luddite. He’s into developing character in kids. His tools? Blocking and tackling--kicking, passing and receiving. Of course, anyone can teach those skills. What Artie really teaches--what he had learned at the feet of the master---are the traits which develop a young boy's character and turn him into a man.

Turning boys into men isn’t popular in today’s PC-stomp-out-of-the-room world. Building young "Men" has lost some of its panache.

Once upon a time, however—when Ag was truly king—the importance of raising men was paramount. Folks knew that boys in an agricultural community had to learn discipline, the virtues of hard work, team play, sacrifice, and physical toughness. Without these qualities, how was a boy to have the grit to get up at three AM to light smudge pots in an attempt to ward off frost? Or to get down on his knees and pick walnuts for eight hours a day during the harvest? How was a kid to have the confidence that he possessed the ability to do a man's labor before he was old enough to shave?

Think about it. No kid goes from playing "PlayStation" on the couch to lighting smudge pots before dawn. That's where Carpy Gang comes in. True. Our children do not have to light smudge pots today. But don’t they still need character?

Many consider Carpy Gang just another after school activity.

However, Football is not like piano, volleyball, or soccer. It's not necessarily better--but it is different.

Once fathers and mothers understood this.

Unlike other after school activities, fear and physical intimidation are central to football.

Learning to overcome those psychic monsters separates football from other sports.

Today people laugh at me when I talk about football and character. It seems anachronistic. No doubt they are correct.

On the other hand, I know a fine young father today who can't see me without telling me how Carpy Gang changed his kid's life. He's not alone.

"I always figured you were full of hot air"--(how right he was)--"Especially when you wrote about Carpy Gang."

"But my kid saw the article and begged to go out for the team. We were against it. To us, football was barbaric and physically dangerous."

"But we gave in, knowing that after a day or two of sweating in those heavy pads, he'd come crawling back begging to return to the swim parties and croquet matches." (I made up the part about croquet).

"It changed his life. Suddenly he was standing taller, was more confident, studied longer, and was so much more disciplined than before." (I didn't make that up).

So what do you think they are teaching?

What Mr. Carpy and Mr. Davis taught us, oh so many memories ago. How to stand up when called upon. How to put one’s body in harm’s way—no excuses. How to own up to one’s mistakes and take responsibilities for one’s actions. How to take on someone who is bigger—even physically superior without flinching. How to go on when one’s legs won’t. How to gut it out over the entire 60 minutes.

The dividends are many. They last a lifetime. Kids with character grow into parents with character.

Carpy Gang has never been just about just football. It is about young boys leaving the nest, being separated from helicopter parents-- and being taught initi ation rites by men, who challenge them (like Indian elders of yore) to rise beyond their limits.

It's poetry in motion.

Call Artie (963-4524) or Frank Carr: 258-9115. Sign-ups are Aug. 1. Practice starts Aug. 3rd.

(Of necessity, there is a fee. James Warren & Son will (happily) pick up the tab for anyone who can't afford it. Call. 963-2748).