Coach Koontz

If you happen to be at the Maryville High School football game this Friday, you might drop by and congratulate Adam Koontz.  It will be his 300^th straight game.  It’s somehow fitting that it is also Homecoming.

 His attendance record is surely one for the books. Rain or shine, snow or sleet, it doesn’t matter, Adam will be there. 300 straight games. He’s seen it all. He’s seen the tough losses and the glorious wins.

He’s been there through blistering hot August games and seasons that often last into December. There isn’t likely a bigger fan of Maryville Rebels football.  There certainly isn’t one more dedicated. He. Never. Misses.

 Adam is currently 38 years old and is a graduate of both Maryville High School and Maryville College (class of 2008). He started attending MHS football games at the beginning of the 2000 season and had a 59 game streak going until 2003, when he had to miss a game because of freshman orientation at Maryville College.

 Since then, he hasn’t missed a game. Not one. Not when temperatures plummeted and the stadium was ice covered. Not even in driving rain when lots of fans stayed home. Away games? Doesn’t matter. Adam makes the trip.

 Maybe he doesn’t feel great? He shows up. Toughen up Buttercup. Adam will be there. No excuses.

 Adam works part-time at the Senior Center for the Parks & Recreation department.  He is also in his 8^th year as an Assistant Coach with the Maryville Southerners pee-wee team. He bleeds red and black.

 For most of his 300 game streak, I was on the sidelines for Maryville High School football, serving as their athletic trainer. Long ago, he and I developed a ritual that lasted until my last game in 2020.

 Before the game, I had a busy schedule. Tape ankles. Check injuries. Update the coaches on player status. Check supplies. Often greet the visiting team. Set up the sidelines. Make sure everyone knew what they were supposed to do.

 Sometime after the team took the field for warmups, I would head for the sideline, but before I got there, I would find Adam (Coach Koontz to the Southerners), who always wanted an injury update. For home games, he was always in the same place. For away games, he was easy to spot.

 After filling him in on the latest injuries, I would listen as he gave his assessment of the game and what it would take to win. We would end the conversation with a fist bump and Adam’s last minute advice for Coach Quarles or Coach Hunt.

 I always found Adam to be knowledgeable about the game and what it might take to win. His pregame summary was often spot-on.

 It was a special time for me. I miss it. Those moments will remain with me for the rest of my life. They’re just one of those little things that made Friday nights special.

If you don’t know Adam Koontz, you’ve missed out. You may not have met him, but you’ve seen him. He’s the guy in the wheelchair down on the right in front of the stands. He gets there early to take his spot. And if you want a game analysis, he’ll be glad to share.