Guess What Happened to Me Today? - September 2024

Editor’s Note: This column features out-of-the-ordinary events that occur to high school athletic directors, school administrators and performing arts educators during the course of their day’s work. If you have encountered an event that clearly strays from the daily plan, please send your information in 200 words or less to Bruce Howard at bhoward@nfhs.org.

It was moments prior to the start of the Minnesota State High School League’s three-day Softball State Tournament at Caswell Park in North Mankato this past June. My finger was at the ready, primed to hit play on the electronics that would send the bold sound of the National Anthem to the four fields that fanned one of Minnesota’s top softball facilities.

But my cue didn’t come.

Instead, there was a late-breaking change in pregame planning when Jon Mackereth of Stillwater (Minnesota) entered the booth. He introduced himself as Stillwater’s bus driver and surprised all by sharing that he was there to sing the National Anthem. It was a curve ball of sorts. Whenever possible, the MSHSL prefers to have students perform the National Anthem to showcase their musical talents; however, with most students out of school for summer break, it was understandable that an adult may have been tapped to perform.

I quickly dashed down to tournament headquarters to confirm that this change had been made. Tournament Director Lisa Quednow and Tournament Manager Todd Waterbury, the longtime activities director at nearby Mankato East High School, affirmed the move, adding that Mackereth had volunteered and then performed a mini audition.

“I wanted to make sure he knew all the words!” Quednow joked.

“I sure gave him a thumbs up,” Waterbury said.

Back in the booth, we received word that all fields had completed their introductions, and the National Anthem could commence. Mackereth handled the microphone like a pro and filled the air with a vocal tribute to our nation that was equal parts power and grace. When he finished, he received thunderous applause from appreciative fans.

The next morning, after dropping off the participants to play in the big-school semifinals, I watched Mackereth as he skillfully maneuvered Stillwater’s team bus and trailer into a tight space in an auxiliary parking lot. As he disembarked the bus, I shared with him how appreciative I was of not only his singing, but also of his service as a driver.

In an aw-shucks kind of manner, he thanked me and shared he had been asked to sing again.

“Everything I do is for the kids,” he said. “I want to do my part to make sure they have great experiences.”

And for the second consecutive day, Mackereth knocked it out of the park with another beautiful performance of the National Anthem.