Growing up
in Alderson while the high school was still around was
defined by football. Not every one played football. But
how ever you cut it Alderson was a football town. And
the 50s and 60s were defined by my estimation by two of
the all time greats, David Shields and Allan Galloway. I
believe that they were the best football players that
came out of the town during that period simply because
each received a full scholarship from a major school,
David the University of Tennessee and Allan the
University of Minnesota. There was not much linkage
between the two other than the fact that Allan's sister
Barbara was in David's class.
Both were bigger than
life during their days. And no matter where you go in
this world if you run into someone that knew about the
town during that period they will still ask about
David and Allan. They are different people. But people
looked up to both of them as heroes, leaders and the
warriors that would mean Alderson High School always had
a chance when they were on the field. They each
were driven, competitive young men that found their way
out in the big world. To this
day they both remain thoughtful and sensitive men Each
of us has had a number of years of differing
experiences. But at this point in our lives those old
Alderson relationships come back to the front of our
minds after a very long sabbatical. I am thinking of
the two of them and how they charged up and down the
football field lifting our sprits and driving us on
to be better performers. The cheers are faint now but
the images of Allan and David are as vivid as ever.
Some would ask why now. I would answer why not. I and
many others are blessed that David and Allan are our
friends, our heroes and our Alderson brothers.
