It had been a long hard practice and Henry had stayed on the field for an extra half hour practicing penalty kicks. It was late October and the sun was setting at about six thirty so as Henry gathered up the soccer balls the light was already fading. He glanced up at the power plant smoke stack and watched as the last rays of the evening disappeared. "Life is good." He thought, "School is challenging, I'm getting acquainted with new friends through soccer and the math study group...mom was right...college will be a great experience!
Henry entered the natatorium and returned the soccer balls to the coach's office. He headed for his locker and a quick shower before making his way to the library for a couple of hours of study.
There were six shower rooms in the men's locker room. Not unusual for a land grant university with a freshman enrollment of just over five thousand. Henry liked the one on the far end away from just about everyone. He was still a little shy about his body. By the time he came in each night nearly everyone else was gone and he could shower alone.
As Henry shampooed his hair he heard another shower turn on. He rinsed off and turned to leave. That was the first time he saw Arnie but it would not be his last.
Two days later Henry was again in the shower when Arnie entered. "How's it goin, Champ?" Arnie greeted him.
"Ah...ok...I guess." Henry stuttered.
"Late practice?" Arnie questioned politely.
"Yeah...sorta...soccer class...you know...you have to make nine out of ten penalty kicks to pass the skills test." Henry explained.
"Oh...right! Coach Otto is demanding isn't he?
"You got that right." Henry agreed as he turned to leave.
"Good luck, Champ!" Arnie said as Henry left.
"Thanks."
Soccer class was Tuesday and Thursday so it was five days before Henry would see Arnie again.
"Hey, Champ! I saw you out there practicing again. You're really serious about this aren't you?" Arnie greeted him as he entered the shower. "My name's Arnie, your's?" Arnie extended his hand.
"Henry." Henry replied, reflexively taking Arnie's hand. He felt strange standing in a shower room, naked, shaking the hand of another naked man.
"Nice to meet you, Henry. Say, if you'd like I can show you some exercises to build leg strength. What days are your soccer classes?"
"Tuesday and Thursday." Henry answered politely.
"Perfect!" Arnie replied enthusiastically. "If you want, meet me Thursday before you shower and I'll give you some pointers. I'll be in the wrestling office until at least six thirty."
"Sure, thanks, I think I'll take you up on that. I can use all the help I can get!" Henry was unsure just why Arnie was offering to help but he was happy to accept.
"Great!" Arnie exclaimed. "By the way, don't let on that I told you but Otto says you have promise for someone who took up the game so late in life. He's thinking of asking if you'd like to work out with the team."
"Really?" Henry was dumbfounded.
"Yeah, Champ! Really!"
Henry was flattered. He felt strangely buoyant; kind of light-headed. All he could think about for the next two days was meeting Arnie to get some tips on building leg strength. Thursday evening, after class, he stood in front of the wrestling coach's office unsure of just what to do next.
"Hey, Champ! Glad you could make it!" It was Arnie, he walked towards the office wearing sweats and his headgear balanced on top of his head. "Come on in. I asked Coach Karlson what kind of training program they use for the kickers on the football team. He says that kicking requires three things; strength, flexibility and technique." He handed Henry two three by five cards; one suggesting a stretching routine for warming up and cooling down and the other five simple exercises for building leg strength. He said. "Coach Otto will help you with technique but if you are interested in long distance kicking like punting he would be happy to work with you."
"Really?" Henry was somewhat dubious.
"Yeah, Champ, really. It's what we do. We're graduate assistants. Different sports but we all like to see someone who takes an interest reach their maximum potential so actually we're just doing our jobs." Arnie explained.
"Oh." Henry said thoughtfully, "Sure, that makes sense." Henry studied the cards for a moment and then thanking Arnie turned to leave the office.
