BY RICHELLE THOMPSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON — There's no such thing as a free lunch — unless you win a state football championship.
Nearly 100 Lebanon High School Warrior football players, cheerleaders and coaches dined Monday on roast beef, chicken, scalloped potatoes, green beans and salad. Mayor James Mills catered the meal out of his own pocket to honor the Warriors' Division II victory Dec. 4.
“They did something for Lebanon. I wanted to do something for them,” Mr. Mills said.
“This is my way of showing my appreciation to a bunch of young people who poured their hearts out, who played their hearts out,” he said. “The least I can do as mayor is feed them a little bit.”
Seniors Will Hatcher, Alonzo Jones and Michael Weaver said the dinner was typical of the town's support for the team. “It shows us the fans are behind us 100 percent,” Alonzo said. Plus, “It's kind of like an honor to have the mayor buy you dinner for a night,” Michael said.
A Warrior football fullback nearly 50 years ago, Mr. Mills knows the excitement and pressure of winning a big game.
The longtime Warrior fan has faithfully attended games and supported the team. This fall, Mr. Mills gave a pregame pep talk, football coach David Brausch said.
“He wanted to pump them up. He told the kids they were representing the whole town,” said Mr. Brausch, who also serves as Lebanon's athletic director.
“He told them he was proud of them.”
Mr. Mills didn't schedule a special speaker for the event.
“I didn't ask them to come to be lectured to. We're just going to enjoy the meal and have fun,” Mr. Mills said.
The team's upset win over top-ranked Chardon “helped the image of Lebanon,” the mayor said. “It brought everybody together at least for that night.”
