Rock Island High School - Watchtower Yearbook (Rock Island, IL)

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1 il i World Wide Photos Ken Anderson. A graduate of Augustana College and quarterback for the Dengals. prepares to pass. Fernado Valenzula. rookie standout for the World Champion Dodgers, pitches the ball. World Wide Photos Student Life 27

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Waiting his turn during practice. Todd Abel watches his fellow teammates wrestle challenge rounds. Sports were a major port in most everyone ' s life at Rocky. Whether playing, watching, or cheering, sports brought the school together to fight for a common cause. With A Little More Class,” the 1961-82 year In sports was broadened, and many more athletes took part than ever before. Success came on the field, court, mot, track, and in the water. Sports at Rock Island high school was not only winning or losing, it was giving one ' s all, fighting to the end, and never quitting. Rock Island athletes carried on a rich tradition of pride. An athlete at Rocky was a special person in all aspects. He had the will to work and improve. These athletes not only developed their bodies, but their minds os well. Players acquired abilities related to etiquette, and courtesy, as well as athletic abilities. They learned to control their emotions and put grudges behind them so they could function at their best. No matter what the consequence was, athletes were never thought of as let downs. They were respected for their hard efforts and acknowledged as a winning team even If the event was lost. Team sports at Rocky also developed the ability to work with a group. An athlete learned to depend on others, while, at the same time, othets depended on him. He worked together with his fellow teammates, yet also worked with and respected the wishes of his coach. Individual sports encouraged personal confidence. The athlete cultivated character, and acquired the talent to rely on himself only. The addition of the Freshmen class brought more team points to sports with individual scoring, such as gymnastics, wrestling, and swimming. It also increased the number of prominent Letter achievers. Sports were important not to the athletes and the school only, but to the community as well. At the end of the athletic season, each individual sports participant hod the right to be proud of his accomplishments. He represented Rocky on his own and with his team. Each athletic team gave Rock Island high school a better image, and made the city proud to support them. Diver Steve Smith gets in position to take o plunge into the water.