The opening of the book:

Versailles Ohio, tucked in Middle America, under the cover of corn fields and tradition, is a prime example of small town America.  The people who call it home enjoy the remoteness of rural living and stress the ideals of honesty, hard work and family.  It is a place where a friendly hello is easy to come by and a strange face is quickly noticed.  Friendships have remained unchanged since high school and the only real concern of the town’s people is raising their families the best they know how.  It is the stereotypical small USA town, hard working people with large quantities of pride. Yet, there is something different about Versailles.

The local businesses, established to offer a service, have long since been transformed into a quasi public hall, holding meetings of all importance, covering a variety of items. Although the topics are many, the king of conversation remains unchanged, it is football.  Football is a way of life in Versailles and the roots of one of Ohio’s most storied programs runs deep into the vaults of history, capturing generations of fans turning a game into a passion. Football in Versailles is more than a game, it is a part of life, something to be dissected, debated and lived.

Order your copy today: Just send an email to deversole@woh.rr.com, with your name, phone number and how many copies you wish to order.

Russ took this picture in the new field house this summer. The guy does great work. This is also an example of how much  Versailles loves football. Click on the picture for a better view.

Tradition as defined in the world of sports is the dotting of the “I”, the touching of the sign, or the number 32.  The examples are endless, each ritual a self defining aspect of the program it represents. 

Sports traditions are not relegated to the immense university football programs, traditions are relatively free and the cost a willingness to teach the next generation.  

There is no monopoly on tradition and for the proof one needs to only look in Versailles. 

As the Fall leaves were swept away by the north wind, the Tigers of Versailles began another march in the football playoffs.  Unlike last year questions were abound and many wondered would the march be brief or should they pack for an extensive trip. 

The answer; pack for the long haul.  The Tigers rolled into Canton, having conquered its region with wins over Clinton-Massie, Kenton Ridge and Jonathan Alder.  In the state-semi finals Versailles fixed a wrong in many Tiger faithful eyes with a dominating win over conference rival Coldwater.  The victory revenged a regular season 10-7 loss and completed the march to the state finals, their ninth trip since 1988.

The outcome at Canton was a bit different this time around.  Versailles lost for only the third time in the championship game to Youngstown Cardinal Mooney, but some things remained unchanged, the tradition of Versailles sports.

Versailles tradition as defined by players of past Tiger teams; behave as gentlemen in victory, but most important behave as gentlemen in defeat.  As the Cardinal Mooney players stepped onto the podium with night creeping in, the Versailles players and coaches gathered not in an end zone but within feet of the same podium holding the Cardinal team captains.  All with their helmets on the Tigers applauded the team which had just minutes ago ended their dreams of a repeat title, it was the ultimate show of respect and it spoke loudly as to the character of the Versailles football program. 

Versailles tradition as defined by the people of Versailles.  Have pride in your team and express it for all to see. 

During the five week playoff run, the Tiger faithful once again turned Versailles into Tigertown.  Following the victory over Coldwater, handshakes were replaced with high fives and helloes with the ringing of “Tigerball!”

Tradition in Versailles means sitting around the Thanksgiving table, contemplating building a burning V in your yard and then doing it.  It means donning a Tiger hat; yes a tiger hat, with tail and all.  It means painting ones car, but in Versailles the bar has been raised, no longer can one just simply put Go Tigers, it must contain a reference to the championships of years past or a Tiger stalking its prey.  It means putting the orange jersey on your child so they may join the parade of walking pumpkins that takes place on Friday afternoon when school is dismissed.  Tradition in Versailles is sneaking a flag and pole into the stadium piece by piece and then raising it high into the sky for all to see. 

Tradition in Versailles it is not about winning or losing, it is about pride, having pride in the kids who compose your teams and pride in the fact that no matter the outcome people will say, Versailles what a classy a program they have.