“Something special is being built here, and I’m not just talking about the Arena”-Rob Reep

Please forgive me if this article has a typo or two. I’ve tried to look it over as closely as I can, but after working up a couple of Lumberjack basketball game reports tonight, I’m sitting at my desk typing this editorial at 2:00 a.m. to make sure it gets out ahead of Friday’s Warren games against Hamburg.

If you haven’t heard already, Warren’s Lumberjacks picked up a massive win last night over Stuttgart in double overtime at Lumberjack Arena. It was not only a thriller of a win but also fairly crucial in terms of any potential post-season play for the Jacks.

As I left the Arena late last night and made my way to Saline River Chronicle’s office to get busy writing the game reports, it struck me how special our new home Arena feels already.

I voted in favor of building the new Arena and the new Elementary School. It was past time for both, so I’m incredibly thankful to the citizens of Warren for throwing their political support behind both projects.

However, I have to admit I was a little sad to see the game-time atmosphere of the Seminary Street gym disappear. Maybe I just had a strange attachment to it because I spent so many days shooting in that gym as a youngster when my late mother Beverly was a teacher at the old Junior High. I have no idea how many times my best friend Dennen Cuthbertson and I played horse in that gym, but it must have been quite a few. Maybe it’s that I have lived most of my life a block down the street from that old gym and could hear every major win echoing across airwaves to my parent’s house at the corner of Bond and Walnut. There was just something about that place that raised goosebumps on my arms during big games. It was such a small and intimate space. On a late January or February night when that place was packed, the sound of the crowd literally could be felt in your bones. I remember watching so many great basketball players in that gym. Raymond Wardy, Brett Smith, Leah Henley, Brandy Brown, and Alonza Hampton are a few that come quickly to my mind from when I was a young kid watching. I remember now Dr. Julie Bryant knocking down a few jumpers in that gym for the Lady Jacks. My Dad’s generation will remember names like Jerry Watts. I believe even our esteemed School Board president Jerry Daniels showcased his talent in that old gym. I’m sure I’m leaving someone out that deserves to be listed, but again, please forgive me. It’s 2:00 a.m. Friday morning after all.

No, I was worried. One of my favorite places to go cover games in past years has been Crossett. They have a pretty spectacular arena, one that I was hoping we could rival. We’ve certainly done that and more in my humble opinion. However, I have always noticed that Crossett’s arena seems to dwarf the crowd. Not to tear down the Crossett fanbase, because I have tons of respect for that community and their athletic programs, but their arena seems to swallow any loud big-game atmosphere. Naturally, I worried that same thing might occur here.

However, I’ve been so pleasantly happy with what’s developing at Warren’s new Lumberjack Arena. We’ve had really great fan support at every game to this point.

I want to applaud the School District administration, the Warren School Board, and our Superintendent Bryan Cornish for their hard work in cultivating that big-game atmosphere. Thursday’s game featured some wonderful new graphics on the scorekeeper’s table. During the pre-game starting lineup announcements the lights were turned off and spotlights hit Warren’s teams while music rocked the house. The concession stand has traffic non-stop. And I’m so thrilled to see the amount of student support showing up every single game in the newly minted student section. I again applaud the School administration for hosting nightly events such as Thursday night’s $2 Student admission event. It’s little things like that which make such a huge difference.

I also want to applaud our Athletic Director Bo Hembree. We’ve got a pretty darn good one folks. He’s not only one of the best high school football coaches in Arkansas but he’s been an extremely effective AD. During his tenure, we have seen the expansion and upgrading of so many of our athletic facilities, including Lumberjack Arena. He’s a hands-on AD. When the teams are announced each night, it’s he who gives an energetic reading of our starting lineup. Most people don’t see it, but he travels to so many games during basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer season. Some games are multiple hours away, but there he is, supporting our kids. I’ve been there firsthand to experience that aspect of him as an educator. He’s not just a darn good football coach and AD, but he truly cares about lifting up and supporting Warren student-athletes.

I also want to applaud this season’s Lady Jack and Lumberjack basketball teams. They are both a big reason why this new arena launch has gone so well so quickly. Although the Lady Jacks have struggled this season, the girls have shown up each night and fought incredibly hard. Promising things will come soon enough, I’m sure.

I also want to give a really big shout-out to head Lumberjack Basketball Coach Joseph Anders. Something special is being built here, and I’m not just talking about the Arena. We’ve got a really talented basketball team. Credit to our kids, but also huge credit to Coach Anders. When it comes to the atmosphere, nobody gets the student section at Lumberjack Arena going like Coach Anders. I’ve noticed it at every home game. He walks over to the student area before the boys game and gives them a fist pump or a thumbs up. They go wild every time. That type of relationship between a coach and his students is not something you find everywhere.

If you haven’t been to a Lumberjack game this season, show up tonight as the Jacks take on Hamburg. This team is playing in a very difficult conference, but there is something really exciting about how this team plays and the grit they display. Two Lumberjacks posted double-doubles Thursday night. It’s just fun basketball to watch.

I’m happy to report that not only are the Lumberjacks playing exciting basketball, but to my relief, there is a really awesome atmosphere at Lumberjack Arena. It’s a credit to all of the people I’ve mentioned above. Thank you for investing in our kids. At the end of the day, that’s what all of these buildings and construction projects are about, investing in our local youth.

Not to be too negative in an article I intend to be so positive, but I too often hear people who live here tear down the community for “offering nothing to our kids.” I’ve heard almost that exact phrase too many times. Well, this is something big being offered. The community, the school board, our coaching staffs, and our kids have invested in making this just as big of an atmosphere as football season. Let’s show up and show support.

I for one am excited about where Warren is going. Lumberjack Arena is already a special place, a fortress of sorts.

Ok, it’s 2:37 a.m. I’m going home. Please forgive any typos. Oh, and Give ‘em the axe Jacks!