By Bryan Fisher
Anyone who has been a part of West Windsor-Plainsboro Pirate Soccer over the past 35 years knows that the Spirit Shirt is a part of our rich tradition.
“You Gotta Stay Hungry”, “It Takes a Little More” and “You Gotta Believe” are shirts from the 1990’s when I was a player at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School.
The Spirit Shirt is handed out to the team at the end of every preseason in late August. The end of summer has always been one of my favorite times of the year; the beach, the energy of preseason and the excitement of a new school year.
That all changed for me five years ago when Brian “Maynard” Welsh, the Captain of our ship, the epitome of WWP Pride and Spirit, tragically took his own life and left his family, friends and community asking why?
Not a day goes by where I don’t have a thought or a conversation about him. Growing up in and around Mercer County and Hamilton, his legacy lives on. Five years later I am still haunted by his last few months in 2010. The pain of losing your friend, mentor and colleague doesn’t go away.
How could this have happened? I have struggled with this answer for a long time. Five years later I will tell you it happened because he was sick. Mental illness is real. It is here in our society and we need to stop being afraid of calling it what it is and to start getting people the help they need and deserve.
Coach Welsh would go above and beyond for his players and students. It is our job to look out for each other. A simple smile, gesture or hello could be the difference for some. A friendly “how are you?” or “let’s get you some help” can save so many.
As the new school year approaches, we in the field of education are on the front lines of fighting mental illness. We have to “do more” this year for our students and colleagues. If you see someone struggling, talk to them, take the extra minute to say hello and be a part of their day. If you are someone struggling, please don’t be afraid to ask for help anymore.
Five years have gone and I still miss him every day. I will try and “do more” this year for my students, athletes and colleagues. That was his gift to us. Sadly, that is all we have left.
The spirit shirt this year is “FOR THOSE WHO WERE, FOR THOSE WHO ARE, PIRATE SOCCER.”
