Bud Miller, West Point grad, leaps to his feet at 6:10 pm when the big game ended. Paul Goldfinger photo. Robbinsville, NJ. 12/8/18 ©
Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
This is a rare sighting: a Blogfinger sports report.
We were out with friends from my high school class, among which was Bud Miller, who was the Rutherford High School quarterback when I was blowing my horn with the Marching Bulldogs. During dinner I learned why Bud was checking his phone—-the Army-Navy saga was in progress. Navy had won 14 times in a row until Army won the last two; and this could be the third in a row for the Cadets.
As the game progressed, Bud was gaining confidence. The moment it ended, he leapt to his feet, almost sending his chicken cacciatore flying. He urgently pulled up his sweater, and underneath was…this: Definitely not regulation suspenders.
He was so excited that we later had the following “true conversation:”
Bud: I met my wife Joan when I was in college and she was still in high school.
Me. What a coincidence. I met Eileen when she was still in high school.
Bud: I guess we were both grave robbers.
Me: Uh..I won’t be telling Eileen about this…
Bud; Oh, yes, we were robbing the cradle.
Me: (changing the subject) Bud–Do you remember when the Rutherford Freshman football team played the State Champ JV squad from Montclair? (A game I actually was involved in—for one memorable play)
Bud: We got squashed. I’d like to know who arranged that match.
Me: Do you remember when we were the host band at the Clifton Band Festival (Bud played trumpet; I sax). We marched up the field ready for a left flank when the beautiful, tall, blond, buxom, drum Majorette Karen mistakenly pointed right with her long baton.
Bud: I do, and half the band went left and the other half right.
Me: I turned left; what did you do?
Bud: I turned left also and I collided with another bandsman turning right. A loud groan came out of the stands.
Bud also banged the bell of his horn on a goal post, denting it; how the Heck Avenue did that happen?–He’s the only quarterback in history to find playing in the band more dangerous than playing football.
So, after all these years, we were still discussing girls, sports, and music.
THE RHS MARCHING BAND played “Across the Field” as we marched across the field. We also played the Minnesota Rouser, but back then we didn’t need a marching band to get aroused.
Here is the Ohio State marching band with their version of “Across the Field.” (It’s their fight song:)
