You can go home again
Byron Higgin
The old saying goes, “You can’t go home again.”
They say, “Once you leave your home, you’re gone forever.”
My answer to that is, “Poppycock.”
Fact is, “I’m Baaaaaaack.”
Over 12 years ago I left Grantsburg and a life that was good to me. For most of those years, I’ve been publishing a small-town newspaper in Minneota, Minnesota — near South Dakota and just 13 miles from Marshall, MN.
For me, it was a marriage made in heaven. I felt like I was in the movie, “Field of Dreams,” and just stepped out of the cornfield into a whole new world. While I was there the Minneota Vikings (Same color scheme and logo as the Frederic Vikings) football team won four Class A State Championships with a second-place finish in Class 2A, as well as a fourth-place finish.
They won two state girls basketball titles along with one second-place honor.
The volleyball team won two state championships with four second places and the wrestling team won a state championship along with three individual state titles.
And the girls track team made it to state the past two years in the “True Team” state championships.
It was an exciting time to be in Minneota, especially for a sports-loving fanatic like me.
When I retired and left Minneota, the girls basketball team was 19-1, ranked No. 1 in the state and are working toward successfully defending their state title.
A friend of mine, a star athlete in Minneota, told me recently, “When you came we started winning. I always kinda thought you were our good luck charm.”
Fact is, I kinda felt that way, too!
You may have seen a highlight on ESPN TV that showed a 6-5 fan at the College World Series reach his long frame over other fans and catch a home run baseball in the stands — all the while never spilling a drop of the beverage in his other hand.
That moment went viral and was seen by millions all over the world. The man making the catch was Austin Buysse of Minneota — a very good friend of mine. Austin is the third baseman on the amateur baseball team, The Minneota Mudhens, and I’ve seen him make many great catches. But his most admirable quality is the fact he’d play a baseball game anytime, anywhere, any way he could. He loves the game — as do I.
Leaving the Mudhens wasn’t easy. I’ve been the Chairman of the Board of this team for several years and I’ve seen almost all of their games.
Now, I’ve stepped back into that magic cornfield and been delivered to a corner of the earth I know very well … Grantsburg, Burnett County and all the wonderful communities I know so well … Siren, Webster, Frederic, Luck and others.
Totally intending to use the magic word, “retire” to full advantage … I was surprised when along came Bob Rombach.
“We’re old friends and have previously worked together. I’ve been astonished at the way he’s put together the “We Are Network” to bring sports action into the homes of so many area viewers. It’s a service that means so much to so many viewers and listeners.
Bob Rombach and Byron Higgin
When Bob asked me to join his group it took me by total surprise. I’d already seen one doubleheader since returning and that was Grantsburg’s boys’ and girls’ wins over Luck.
Then Thursday night we traveled to Webster and watched the Webster girls win and the Luck boys pull out a victory in overtime — in thrilling fashion.
In regulation, the Tigers Carsen Stenberg hit a remarkable three-pointer that appeared to win the game — but with just over three seconds left, Luck’s Gage Johansen sank a three-pointer to tie the game. Luck went on to win it.
If that’s the kind of entertainment I’m in store for, it’s going to be an exciting time.
Daniel Ingalls and Edwin Janssen call their first game for WE ARE Webster
I sat next to the two young Webster boys announcing the game on “We Are Webster”. Daniel Ingalls and Edwin Janssen did a fantastic job announcing the game.
In between announcing, they played in the Webster pep band.
These two young men are not only learning a trade but they are helping the WE ARE Network bring basketball right into your living room.
Great job, boys!
This is a big reason I’ve decided to join Bob, Stacy Coy and all the “We Are Network” folks. I will be enjoying hooking up with old friends and making new ones as I learn the ropes and help bring this excitement to so many viewers and listeners.
By the way, I’m also a movie fan. And all I’ve got to say about being back in Grantsburg and the area is, “It’s A Wonderful Life.”