West Branch foreign exchange student Pascal Magneron (1983-1984) shares his own Oliphant Street Stories piece.
Oliphant Street Field is to me the symbol of my strong link with the West Branch Community. Every time I come back, I make a stop by the field and it brings back so many emotions.
It all started during my AFS year as a foreign student from France living with the Tighe family from August, 1983 to July, 1984. Since I didn't know anything about American football, I was a manager for the team. That gave me the opportunity to discover the rules, the toughness of practice and the importance of the team in the community. I first didn't understand how serious this game was, how important sports were in American high schools. I remember Butch yelling at me because I didn't bring the water fast enough on the field on my first game.
I was so impressed the first time we got ouf of the bus to walk all the way to the building next to the field, Butch's speech right before the game and the cheering of the crowd as we ran down to the side line. All this was so new to me that I really felt I was a foreigner; funny thing because today, I really feel at Home every time I come back. I'm no longer a foreigner when I visit and I try to that as often as I can; even if I have the opportunity to visit an exotic place I prefer to come back. In a way I have two homes now and West Branch is one of them.
The funny thing is that 1983/84 season was Butch's first year of coaching and our team was just great; since my name was to weird for Butch, he decided to call me Frenchy; so I decided to call him Butchy which kind of surprised many of my team mates who told me that I couldn't say that to the Coach. From that day until now, everyone calls me that! Thanks Butchy.
Since then I just love football and I'm also a Hawkeye fan. I follow the Bears on Facebook and Instagram but also all the news I can get from the community. I watch all the videos and the interviews. The last time I visited was April, 2018 to surprise Butch for his national award as national coach of the year party; it meant so much to me to be there and celebrate with everyone. I just felt I had to be there!
This gives me the opportunity to thank everyone because that year pretty much changed the course my life; my host family has a lot to do with it and they are family for life but my experience among all of you has given me more than any other experience. I will end by saying that I feel privileged to be Butch's friend; I am impressed with what he has done with and for the community because we all know that BUTCH PEDERSEN FIELD is not about football, not about winning, it's about sharing values, love and friendship.
I love you all
Frenchy from West Branch, IOWA ... and PARIS, FRANCE
