Dayton Daily News education reporter Scott Elliott writes about schools, kids, teaching and learning.
Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2006 > December > 01 > Entry
Centerville: Football capital and perfect town?
(Packers linebacker A.J, Hawk, right, with brother Ryan when they played at Centerville High School in 1998)
I love reading the New York Times, but every now and then you just see a story in the world’s best newspaper that makes you scratch you head and wonder, “How in the heck did that story happen?”
There is such a story on the front of the sports page today — a big feature on Centerville and the three NFL players who hail from this Dayton suburb.
Both the description of Centerville and the whole thesis of the story were, ah, curious.
First of all, I can’t imagine Centerville is the only city in America that boasts three NFL players (Hawk, Jets Center Nick Mangold and teammate Mike Nugent, a kicker). The story is pegged to this weekend’s first ever matchup between Hawk and his hometown friends when the Packers and Jets meet.
But it still left me wondering why this story merited the front of the sports page. Since these are our kids, we naturally find the story pretty interesting. But I wonder if anyone outside of Ohio cares.
Then there was the description of Centerville as an idealized “Pleasantville” type community. ESPN football analyst (and another Centerville native) Kirk Herbstreit used that title from a movie about an impossibly idyllic community to describe Centerville in the story.
I live right next door to Centerville in Kettering. Centerville is a very nice community, for certain. But really, it strikes me as a pretty typical upper middle class suburb. The story paints it more like the perfect small American town.
Of course it was a nice, high profile mention for our area and for some hometown kids who are, by all accounts, very nice folks. So I suppose we shouldn’t complain. I was a little surprised there was no mention of Mangold’s sister, who plays football at Alter High School. That’s a pretty good story in itself that previously earned a mention in the Times.
So tell us Centerville lovers — what is it about this city that makes it the poster child for the American hometown?
UPDATE: Forgive me. I should have explained the reference to Mangold’s sister more. Holley Mangold is Nick’s 16-year-old sister plays special teams and offensive line at Alter High School, which plays for the state football title this weekend. Holley was featured in a Times sports story last month also written by Karen Crouse.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Sports and Athletics
Comments
By Hillary
December 4, 2006 1:01 AM | Link to this
I’m amused by the caption underneath the map showing where Centerville is… “Do not be deceived by the name Centerville. Columbus, home to Ohio State, is actually in the middle of the state.”By claire
December 3, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this
after reading the NYTimes article I don’t think it was so much that Centerville is a perfect town as mucha as it is small town America - something New York City is not. That family values still matter and that this is smalltown anywhere, USA… it just happened to be Centerville, Ohio this week ! After growing up in Detroit and moving here 13yrs ago - small town is nice.By Terri
December 1, 2006 10:23 PM | Link to this
Scott - this is completely off subject but I wanted some feedback. - The Dayton Board of Education has yet to announce the details of the Jan. cuts. Contractually they have to give a teacher 30 days notice. So, if the cuts are to go into effect on the first day of the 2nd semester, the board could wait until Dec. 16 to inform the effected teachers/staff. This is the last day of this semester, and 2 days after the teachers are set to vote if a new contract is offered. I don’t have a question really, but what do you think of the timing?By Terri
December 1, 2006 10:05 PM | Link to this
I heard the very last sentence of a story on ESPN th eother night in which they mention Mangold’s sister. I’m not sure the context but the last point made was that she might be a member of a state championship team, if Alter wins Sat. night - something her brother never did. By the way Scott, how about giving her name instead of just referring to her as Mangold’s sister