I am grateful. ⚓👇

As a VU football alum, here are some things I am most grateful for this year…

Chancellor Diermeier and the VU administration believing in the importance of sports for VU student-athletes.

Athletics Director Candice Lee for her leadership and unlimited energy.

Football Head Coach Clark Lea and General Manager Barton Simmons for creating the winning environment inside and out of the locker room.

Members of Team Five for building a winning program as they bought into Coach Lea’s vision.

The Vanderbilt student body for showing up and showing out this season.

The crowd at First Bank Stadium for creating a home-field advantage as the team was undefeated at home this season.

The in-game DJ for playing Phil Collins’ "In the Air Tonight" at the right time each game.

Nate Bargatze, Theo Von, Reese Witherspoon, Johnny Manziel, and all other celebrities who have rooted for the team and helped increase the Vanderbilt brand.

Those who operate and support the Ingram Center for Student-Athlete Success and all Vanderbilt student-athletes who are benefiting on and off the field.

My family and friends, especially those who share in my Vanderbilt fandom.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Bernard

1984. What a Magical Season for Northview Cougars Baseball Team.

1984 was a special year for the Northview Cougars (Dothan, AL) baseball team. The team finished the season at 27-7, with the highest finish in school history after losing to eventful two-time state champ Fairhope in the semifinals of the Alabama 4A playoffs. 

Northview High School was founded in 1978, with Coach Bubba Johnson now in his sixth season as baseball head coach. Johnson previously led Dothan High School to the 1978 4A State baseball title. 

Led by senior lefty flamethrower Barry Hightower, the team was heavy with seasoned ballplayers.  Second baseman Mike Rookard, catcher Wes Whitfield, outfielders Blake Hall, Greg Hilliar, Leo Butler, and pitcher Richard Shaughnessy, were all seniors and main contributors that season. Several of the seniors were sophomores on the Cougars football team that won the 1981 4A state championship, that also included Coach Bubba Johnson as one of the defensive coaches. Most of the starting nine were seniors except for Rob Arnold (10th grade) at first base and Bernard Nomberg (10th grade) at shortstop.  

1984 Northview Baseball Roster 

Seniors                    Juniors
Wes Whitfield  (C)*            #6 Troy Jones (Util)
#12 Berry Hightower, dec. (P)*            Jonathan Coe (P)
#30 Blake Hall (P, OF)*            #33 Gary Oppert (3B)*
#15 Richard Shaughnessy (P)                  Scott Powell (Util)
#11 Leo Butler (P, OF)*            Clifton Owen, dec. (P)
#39 Greg Hilliar (OF)*                               
#3 Mike Rookard (2B)*
#5 Eric Judy (Util)
#14 David  Voellinger (1B, P)
#17 Eric Myers (C)
Graham Rhodes (IF) 

Robert Lunceford (Util)

Sophomores            Freshman
#23 Rob Arnold (1B)*            Dale Warrington (P)
#10 Bernard Nomberg (SS)*                     #24 David Burnham (P)
#22 Brian Wilkinson, dec. (3B)*               Rick Cazanave (Util)

#7 Tony Kirkland                                       Scott Arnold (P)

Head Coach                                               Team Manager 

#34 Bubba Johnson                                   Michael "Scabdula" Bradley 

* indicates starting players, with Oppert and Wilkinson splitting time at 3B.

The team started the season with a blistering 9-2 record, and talk around the program was that this team had a chance at a special season. The winning ways continued as the Cougars blitzed through area play with big wins over rivals Carroll, Enterprise and Dothan. Bubba had a way of  managing the team without any fractions within the troops. The starters and backups all contributed at various times during the season. Playing "Bubba Ball" was the team's trademark approach with timely hitting, solid defense and clutch pitching. 

Who recalls the Burger King 100? Who else recalls the epic battles we had against Dothan High? So much talent from both schools. Numerous players from both schools later played in college.

During the regular season, the Cougars played against some soon to be notable atheltes from the around the state. Gary Hollingsworth (Hamilton HS) later started at QB for Bama. James Morrisette and Chris Johnson (both from Fairhope HS) later played football at Auburn. Doug Mims (Dothan HS) played football at Troy State and won a natty with them. 

Based on an outstanding regular season, the Cougars were area champs and given a bye in the first round of the playoffs.  After defeating Central - Phenix City in the second round, Northview was then squared off to meet defending 4A Champs Fairhope, a team that previously defeated Northview in the 1982 second round of the playoffs. 1982 was the only prior year in which Northview made the playoffs. 

                                        

With the Northview prom set for that same weekend, the best of three series  proved to be one not many Northview fans and families will ever forget. Fairhope was loaded with several future collegiate athletes, including Morrisette and Johnson. Their team batting averge entering the series was a robust .368. As the defending 4A State Champs with plenty of confident players, Fairhope would be a tall task for the hungry Cougars team.

Going into the Fairhope series, Northview was looking to advance to the State Finals for the first time. Playing at their home stadium in Dothan, Northcutt Field, the first game was a nail-biter as the Cougars pushed across a run in the bottom of the 7th inning to win 1-0. Hightower fanned 14 in the complete game win. The win pushed the Cougars needing one more victory to move on to the State Finals. Easier said than done!  

Playing at home in front of a loud Cougars fanbase was the best! Momentum was high and the team could sense they were about to put away the #10 ranked team in the country. Nervous parents and proud grandparents. (Who can forget Charlotte Arnold (Rob's mother) standing at the top of the bleachers for every game, all game! She was locked in.) Anxious girlfriends and prom dates in the front rows. Plenty of future Cougars watching their heroes battle it out on the diamond. Living the Dream! 

Thirty minutes after the thrilling first game ended, Coach Johnson again gave the ball to pitching workhorse Hightower to start the game on the mound.  Barry was his usual self through the first five innings, having allowed but one run while striking out seven more Pirates. With his 92-94 mph southpaw fastball, Hightower was nearly unhittable against high school batters. Nearly.  Barry finished the season with a 12-2 record, 0.51 ERA and 187 strikeouts in 96 innings. 

Then things turned south when the Cougars changed pitchers in the fifth inning with a 4-0 lead. With two outs and a spot in the Finals on the line, twice the Cougars were one strike away from taking the series. Then the Pirates rallied for six runs in the bottom of the seventh to take a 6-5 win. The series was now tied 1-1 with a third game to follow.  Damn. What a gut punch.

The next day was not kind to the Cougars.  During warmups before the final game, bad luck struck when senior Eric Judy was hit  in the head with a ball, sending him immediately to seek medical attention. Thankfully, Judy was okay and later returned to the Cougars dugout.  

The third game was an emotional rollercoaster as the teams were tied 1-1 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning.  Yours truly hit swinging bunt that went between the pitcher's mound, second and first. Trying to beat out the hit, Fairhope first baseman Chris Johnson tagged me a little before I attempted to slide. This caused me to hit the ground quicker than I anticipated, and resulted in broken wrist. The snap was supposedly heard in the stands. That did not feel good. My parents took me straight away to Flowers Hospital ER. (Where were the onsite paramedics? Was that a thing in 1984?)

This must have taken away any momentum Northview had at the time.  It was not meant to be as Fairhope then poured on the runs to a 11-1 lead. The Cougars made a last ditch effort of a comeback that fell short. Fairhope took the third game by a score of 12-7, thus ending the Cougars season. A State Title dream was gone. This one hurt, and four decades later it still stings a little. Sports can do that to a dude, particularly when the goal was so close. That's sports. 

While the Cougar seniors headed the prom, the Pirates headed to the State Finals. The following weekend Fairhope took down Austin (Decatur)  to capture its second consecutive 4A State Title. 

In the forty-one years of Northview baseball, the 1984 squad went the deepest into the playoffs, and set the high mark for wins in a season. Never again would this group of talented players be together on or off the field. Now that the team's superstar has recently passed on, hopefully there is still time for this group of Cougars to have a reunion. I always hold a special place in my heart for this team and the magical season we experienced together. 

Forever a Cougar, 

Bernard 

Postscript: After high school several Cougars furthered their sports careers in college.

Arnold, Wallace CC, baseball
Butler, Marion Military Institute, football
Hightower,  University of South Alabama, 1984 MLB draft 8th round, New York Mets
Nomberg, Vanderbilt, football 
Rookard, Tuskegee Institute, baseball
Shaughnessy, Auburn, football
Whitfield, Wallace CC, University of Alabama, baseball 

Is High School Football The Last Level of Pure* Competition?

    This next week kicks off high school football season in Alabama. While the temperatures will remain in the 90s, there is nothing like the sights, sounds and smells of high school football. 

    Football is King in the South no matter what age level it’s played. The State of Alabama stands strong against many larger populated states historically when it comes to producing college and pro football players. The list is long, including may Pro Football Hall of  Famers such as Don Hutson, Bart Starr, Joe Namath, John Hannah, Ozzie Newsome, and Ken Stabler. Heroes and Gods to many. Sworn enemies to others. Regardless, they are either revered or hated forever.  

Head Coach Harry Wayne Parrish holding up the 1985 Alabama 6A Championship. 

    Going into each season, every team is undefeated and hopes to achieve a championship. The Blue State Championship Trophy and Rings of Bling  mean eternal glory! Scholarships! Newspaper Headlines and Digital Clicks are the currency. Views and Likes are the confirmation. 

                                           

              Northview State Champs Ring from 1985. 

    Players, cheerleaders, students, teachers, and almost everyone in the community is part of the program. “This is our Year!“ can be heard throughout the school, at the gas station and at the local barbershop. For many, Friday Night Lights create core memories, good or bad. Elementary and middle school kids run around at the games, often playing tackle the man with the ball under the bleachers. Sometimes they are wearing old jerseys of their favorite players.  Waiting after the games for autographs or selfies with their heroes fresh off the battlefield. Nothing worse for the little guys (or their warrior idols) to suffer a defeat particularly against a heated rival. They all want bragging rights in town and online. Sitting in the stands are nervous moms and dads, proud grandparents, anxious girlfriends and supportive siblings. Some cannot bear to watch the action while others can be heard yelling encouragement two counties over. You know who you are.  😎

    All of this buildup leads me the point of this article ... 

    I had the opportunity to play football on almost every level – from Pop Warner to the SEC  – and for me, there's nothing like high school football. What makes it so special goes well beyond the Xs and Os. It reflects in the genuine love and passion that players, coaches and fans exhibit for the sport and for each other.

    Once athletes and coaches get beyond high school football, the game becomes more of a business. Factors such as scholarships, Name, Image and Likeness (1), transfer portal, program facilities, apparel contracts and TV deals help decide what takes place on and off the field, how the game is played from the player’s perspective and how it's perceived by fans. I can only imagine how much more magnified it is on the professional level. 

    In high school, these things are a pipe dream for most participants, and far off enough not to impact the classrooms, weight rooms and fields where coaches and players prepare for Friday nights. It’s about school and community pride, playing alongside friends, many of whom have known each other since kindergarten. These are lifetime bonds and relationships formed at a young age. For me, college football was similar. Many of my best friends today are guys I played with at Northview High School (Dothan, AL) and at Vanderbilt University. 

    Each generation of society shapes the next, sports included. What we see today on the high school football field is what college programs were doing just a few short years prior. Imitation at it’s finest. How many times have we seen a Buddy Garrity (2) in the community? He just wants to win so bad that he will do anything to help the team, recruiting and payoffs included. But that’s just on television, right? 

    That is what it’s all about ... community spirit, pride and  and making lasting memories. I just hope this never changes, but like everything else in life I fear it will. Once these changes occur, let’s just hope they are shaped with the best of intentions. We all need things to be simple and fun while fighting for a common goals because everything else is the details. We all know what the details bring ... hopefully a championship!

    Good luck to your team this season. I will be rooting for them! 

Bernard  

 

* For the purpose of this essay, the term “pure” is hopefully not casting shade on collegiate or professional athletics. With NIL, performance enhancing drugs, agents, etc., one would hope that high school programs are not influenced by these factors, but unfortunately, that might not be true in many instances. Best to suspend these beliefs while you read!

1 Although Alabama was one of the first states to approve NIL for its high school athletes, the law was repealed in July 2022. Currently, NIL activities remain prohibited under Alabama High School Athletic Association rules, despite legislation which was introduced in 2025 to permit it.

2 Buddy is one the greatest television characters involving high school sports. Remember him from "Friday Night Lights"? A former Dillon Panther quarterback who owns a local car dealership. He’s enthusiastic about his beloved alma mater’s program. Some would say that Dillon Panthers run in Buddy’s blood, a little much. A little too involved. Every program has a Buddy.

Buddy (right) with Dillon Coach Taylor.

With Friends Like These ... Who Needs Them?

    This past weekend at the lake was our annual guys get together. Five childhood friends. For many reasons I look forward to this weekend all year. We have known each other since childhood and that's where the (mostly true) stories began. Leading up to our annual event, I know I need to hibernate for a few days as there is very little sleep and way too much consumption during our short time together. 

    We have as many things distinct from each other as we have things in common.  Some have moved away from our hometown of Dothan AL, while others live not too far from where they grew up. Some of us have lost our spouses, others are in lifelong relationships. We observe different religions mostly. Different professions. Not everyone roots for the same college football team although we each had at least one child all to attend the same college. We attended the same high school and most attended the same university and lived together during that time. What we do share, and this is what keeps bringing us back each year, are childhood and young adult experiences together. 

    Same neighborhoods and schools. Little League baseball. Allstars. High school football. House parties. Beach trips. Double dates. School dances.  College parties and road trips. Weddings. And on and on and on.  

    Weekends like this are good for the soul. The same stories get retold, and most of them have at least a grain of truth woven in them.  The belly laughs are nonstop. Even some snorts when the tales get deep. And they do get deep. Sometimes you have to leave the room to catch your breath. You know it's good when you are crying from laughing so hard. So good. Love it so much. 

    At the end of the weekend, when we hug goodbyes and hit the road toward our homes, you wish you could stay another day. Be in the moment. Share the memories. Discuss what's currently going on. Work through the problems. Acknowledge the miseries and the successes. Sharing advice, comfort, encouragement and support. We are dudes and not programmed to be vulnerable. I'm not saying that these were therapy sessions, but they were damn close. I would not trade these weekends for anything as these are my brothers. I love them all and they know it. And they love me.

    As we get older, weekends like these become more important. We are fast approaching the age of  60 with our 40th high school reunion next summer. Gulp. Too many recent visits home have been for funerals or celebrations of life of our coaches, friends or loved ones. We make it a point to schedule the next year's event even before we leave from the current weekend.

    Shane, Rob, Chris and other Chris. With Friends Like These ... Who Needs Them?   

    I do. We all do. 

Bernard 

(PS: We recently shared our stories in a podcast series about life growing up in Dothan.  
Link:  Circle City Goats and Dogs)

The Measure Of A Man.

Plato used the term the “measure of a man” by referring to the character of a person: the character and integrity of a person can be measured by the way he responds to the power he is given. I want to believe that Plato had Harry Wayne Parrish in mind when he wrote those words. 

When Harry Wayne Parrish was named the first head football coach and athletics director at Northview High School, he was tasked with creating a brand  new football program. This was no easy feat in 1978 considering he was at a newly opened school; this was his first head coaching position; and at 30 years of age he was younger than the parents of the boys who were playing for him. Little did the Dothan City School Board know that when they hired Parrish for this job, they made a very wise choice. Time would soon tell that he was the perfect person to lead the new school into a new era. 

Although he played football at Dothan High School and at the University of Alabama, Harry Wayne’s experience as a coach prior to Northview was that as an assistant at Tuscaloosa, Daleville and Dothan High Schools. When Sharon Welch finally agreed to go out and later marry Harry Wayne, one wonders if she knew what was in store for them both! Ten years of changing jobs before they both settled at Northview. During these early coaching years, Harry Wayne and Sharon also expanded their home team with three awesome children  - Jenni, Hunter and Josh.  

In the spring of 1978, some say close to 200 aspiring football players attended the inaugural spring training at Rip Hewes Stadium. The school was set to open that fall and football season was fast approaching.  The spring weather was muggy and wet. The on-field intensity was high. The practices were enthusiastic but brutal. However, Coach Parrish had a plan - mold these eager players into a winning team without sacrificing integrity and character of the Program. 

Character

To become a winning program Coach Parrish had to build  trust with his players and their families. Even before that, he had to build trust with his assistant coaches. Bubba Johnson, Randy Hicks, Floyd Griffin, Jerry Andrews, Donald Tribune and Mack Kirkland are names you all know. Coaching legends in their own right.  Little did they know at the time they would remain together for many years as they built a championship program. 

 

Building any successful football program takes hard work, dedication and long hours. Starting a program from scratch requires even more integrity and character of a man who takes on the responsibilities and power that position calls for. Harry Wayne Parrish was the right man for the job whether  he was borrowing equipment from other schools; bartering with vendors to have the campus practice field created; or when he was picking up or driving players home in his pickup truck. Harry Wayne did whatever was needed to build the Northview into a winning program.  He did these things with little fanfare or attention. He got things done to make his program successful and one that the Northview family would be proud of.

Integrity 

Coach also realized that just as crucial, if not more so, character, responsibility and priorities were cornerstone traits on and off the field. Without the importance of academic achievement and positive characteristics within the community, the football program would not succeed. Harry Wayne and his coaches worked tirelessly to instill these values in the players - the foundation of the Program. Coach set such a fine example. He walked the walk every day. No shortcuts were taken. Doing things the right way was expected.   

That first tough spring training later paid off during the 1978 season. The very first game in Program history was a win over Carroll (Ozark) High School, 35-12. The Cougars ended their first season with a winning record of 6-4. School spirit was evident from the jump, and it only intensified throughout the community as the team’s success continued. Built on that first season was the foundation that remained during his 13 years leading Northview. During his tenure, Parrish led Northview to the playoffs several years and captured two state titles, 1981 and 1985. The School of Champions, indeed! After leaving Northview in 1990, Coach and Mrs. Parrish moved to Blakely, GA where Coach led the Early County Bobcats for a decade.

Legacy 

While the wins and losses are in the record  books and have their importance, Coach Parrish’s legacy lies with the thousands of young men and women he impacted along the way. There are many success stories from students who learned life lessons from Coach to turn their lives around or to help guide them along their respective journeys. Many have gone on to successful careers in coaching, the military, medicine, law, community leaders, and so much more. Almost everyone has a lasting memory or story to tell about Coach Parrish.

Those who played for Coach Parrish will always remember how fair and honorable a man he was to each of us. We might not have liked what he had to say, but at the time it was the right message to hear. Woven into the “Sam Hills,” "Bird Heads," and “Daggumits” were those tough lessons on and off the field. Reflecting back from all those decades ago I have a full appreciation of what Coach Parrish stood for and how he so positively impacted our lives. Lessons we all use as adults and share with our children. Coach’s lessons are generational. 

Coach Parrish’s impact on the Dothan community was best seen last August when the two state championship teams were honored at Rip Hewes Stadium before one of Dothan High’s games. Gathered on the field were more than fifty players from those two teams. As the video tributes from each season played it was apparent that Coach was caught up in the moment - his moment. Time for him to reflect and take in what the past decades of his work had created. Grown men. Teammates. Brothers. Hugging, laughing, reminiscing. Remembering. Honoring. It was the perfect moment for so many reasons. 

During his years at the helm of the Northview Program, Harry Wayne was never one to take credit, but he always took the blame. The August reunion was the perfect time for the much deserved credit to bestow upon him. His flowers. His time. Not a dry eye could  be found when it was announced that Dothan High’s practice field was named in his honor. Such a fitting tribute to a man who measured up to the best. 

Thank you, Coach Parrish, for everything you did. Your leadership, compassion and dedication live on in so many of us. Rest in Peace, Coach. As a Man of Integrity and Character, you have earned your rest. 

With love,

Cougars Nation