“MilkBowl” addendum

To the editor: I read with interest the article about Sparta’s youth football charity “MilkBowl,” in the Nov. 2 issue. There was however, a glaring omission to this wonderful story of community philanthropy. The article failed to mention that sometime in the early seventies, the MilkBowl was discontinued due to a combination of unsportsmanlike behavior and public apathy. Over the years, the memory and message of the MilkBowl faded. But to one man, the memory of the MilkBowl he had played in as a kid, was as strong and vital as he was. As president of the Sparta Recreation Football league, Jim Underwood, with his infectious enthusiasm, led a dedicated group of parent volunteers who, in 1999 resurrected the MilkBowl and restored this shining tradition of caring. Jim, whose philosophy about the MilkBowl was summed up in his motto for the event, “kids helping kids” had a lifelong passion for football and the lessons about character it could teach. As a coach, Jim emphasized teamwork above individual needs, sacrifice over instant gratification. I write this today with a sense of profound sadness as Sunday Nov. 12, while the echoes of the eighth modern era MilkBowl were heard in the distance, my good friend and brother-in-law, Jim Underwood died of cancer at the much too young age of 49. I couldn’t help but think as I gazed at Jim’s MilkBowl T-shirt he wore to the end, that more than divine providence, his passing on the very day of his cherished MilkBowl was his final example to the rest of us of his irrepressible will. Jim’s rare combination of courage and compassion will be missed by all who knew him. His legacy of community service and character building will not be forgotten. Jim never forgot the things that truly matter in life, let us honor his memory by never forgetting him and the lessons he taught us. Mike Vrabel Sparta