Gallery: Breakfast of Champions

Football team helps revive state tradition

A tradition dating back to the 1970s was revived Tuesday morning when Ben Davis teachers served up a Breakfast of Champions for the Class 6A state bound football team.

The breakfast was the idea of Dave Patz and Sherry Gramer and involved more than 40 teachers and staff members.

“I remember we did this back in the late 1970s when I was on the swim team,” Gramer said.

The teachers and staff served a breakfast of pancakes, sausages, milk and orange juice to approximately 100 football players. No one knew why the tradition wasn’t held for recent state-bound BD athletes, but everyone was happy to see it come back.

“Never take for granted anything in life,” coach Mike Kirschner told his players during the breakfast. “Just look around and see how many people are supporting you.”

The Giants take on Carmel Friday night at 7:05 with the Class 6A state title on the line. The team plans to depart for the game at 5:15 p.m. from Ben Davis. Fans are encouraged to come to the school to send them off with a cheer or line 10th Street as the team will travel east on 10th Street until hitting Interstate 465.  The team will practice Wednesday at Lucas Oil Stadium.