Chapter 21

After the final dinner for the guys and their families, we took our leave. Brad would have a few weeks to decide if Bowling Green was to be his home for the next four years. Mr. Atwater almost pointedly avoided Brad, Andy and me.

I figured Mr. Atwater had played a part in whatever Brad was concerned about, but I made myself a promise not to invade his privacy and wait until he came to us with the story.

Only a few minutes outside of Bowling Green, Brad announced, “I’m going to U of Toledo.”

Andy and I looked at each other. U of T was a good school, but after touring both, comparing the strengths of their football programs, we were sure Bowling Green would have the edge.

Both Andy and I began extolling the virtues of Bowling Green over Toledo. “What advantage did Toledo have, Brad?”

“It’s what it doesn’t have. It doesn’t have Mr. Atwater.”