On June 18, the second annual Barr and Johnny’s Flag Football Classic will be at the Trinity Episcopal football field—“the Pit.” Although I won’t be able to make it this year, Barr Brown and Johnny Rachal were both coaches and role models who were taken from their families too soon. They both influenced my life and the lives of so many other student-athletes. I hope you will consider giving this worthy event your support.

I very clearly remember sitting in Trinity’s stuffy attic locker room on my first day of football practice in junior high, frustrated. Bordering on tears — and feeling sorry for myself — I decided then and there to quit. One of the coaches walked into the locker room to see if the team had already gone out to practice. They had, except for me. Barr Brown took pity on the new kid from New Orleans who had never played football, and he showed me how to put my pads on.

Johnny Rachal loved his children immensely but coached us all like we were his own. He was the line coach, and he also knew that football was definitely not my thing — he started calling me the professor at one point — but he encouraged me, and wanted me out there and a part of that team. All those two-a-days and sled pushing paid off for my teammates and me during my senior year when Trinity won a state championship. Johnny and Barr both experienced the joy of coaching their sons and their friends to records and titles.

Their sons began the Barr and Johnny Flag Football Classic last year to raise money for an academic scholarship for a student at Trinity. In the years they coached me, they also taught me about setting an example through my actions: service, volunteering and the importance of family. I saw firsthand their dedication to all things Trinity. I think my coaches would be proud of the effort their friends, family and former players give in their name. Barr and Johnny can always count on me to do whatever it takes to be a champion for Trinity.

High school is a strange and developing time for almost everyone. I know I would not be the man I am today without my Trinity family, including my classmates, teachers like the recently retired Gwen Young, and my coaches, Johnny Rachal, Barr Brown and David King. They, along with so many others, did not just make us better; they made us believe we could be better. Everyone should be so lucky.

Admission is $20 to Barr and Johnny’s Flag Football Classic, which begins at 5:30 p.m. and will feature live music from Speakeasy, the culinary exploits of Roux 61 and some of our favorite beer from Tin Roof. Four local men’s teams — featuring some of your favorite players — will compete and raise money for an academic scholarship to Trinity.  If you’re interested in sponsoring or helping out, contact Cole Brown at 601-807-2268. I hope you will come out June 18 and help us raise money for this worthy cause and to honor Barr and Johnny’s living memory.

 

Scott Sternberg is a 2002 Trinity Episcopal graduate and an attorney and professor living in New Orleans.