North Davidson Football is almost like church around here. Each season, a new group of young men come together and carry with them the hearts of a community. I wanted to take a moment, A few hours before our young men take to the home field for the first time this season, to tell you what being a part of this community means to me, to my family, and to my friends.
I have been thinking over the past few days of the shocking news about Coach Lambros. I have just watched my social media feeds show so much support for this man that has affected so many lives and how blessed we are to be in this community.
People ask me all the time "Why don't you go sell real estate in Charlotte, Raleigh or concentrate more on Winston?" and don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with those places. Sure I could make more money, but why go somewhere you don't believe in? I believe in us. I enjoy knowing that my sons will walk the same halls as I did and run through the same tunnel of fans that I did. You see, putting on a Black Knights jersey wasn't just a photo op for me and my friends. When I wore that jersey, I sweated in it. And I bled in it. And I wore that jersey along some of the greatest men I know. Men I still see all the time in this community. Men who are now firefighters and police officers. Men who are leaders in this community, business owners, pastors, teachers and coaches. What makes this community great is the fact that we all know that, just like on those Friday nights years ago, we're still all in this together.
I love my community. The outpouring of sympathy and support for Coach Lambros just reaffirms my faith in this area. So really I want to tell you as a whole community, “thank you.” Thank you to all the coaches and teachers that also believe in our community. Thank you for the time and effort that you have instilled into us. Personally, I know that high school was the "Glory Days" due to more than a bat and balls. It was the dedication, love, and commitment of the teachers, coaches and staff of our schools that taught us to become men and women that took pride in our actions, knowing that others could count on us.
I love calling this community home. And I love knowing that my two sons and my daughter that's on the way will grow up walking down these same halls, across these same fields, surrounded by these same great people until it's time that they take their place among this community.
Go Knights,
Dustin
