Kramer Rebuilt Madonna
Thursday, December 3, 2009
By JOSH STROPE- The Intelligencer & Wheeling News-Register
More than 30 years ago, a friend told Bob Kramer that he was taking a head coaching job at a parochial school in Steubenville weeks before the season started and demanded Kramer be one of his assistants for the simple reason that he used to play football.
The young man wasn't sure if he could do it.
Fast forward to today and Kramer is one of the most respected coaches in the state and has his team in the Class A state championship game for the third time in six seasons when the No. 1-ranked Weirton Madonna Blue Dons take on the Man Hillbillies at 7 Saturday night at Wheeling Island Stadium.
''As a head coach, you always dream about coaching in the state championship and I never dreamed I ever would before I got to, and I was stunned for like a week when I was able to,'' Kramer said. ''It took me a long time to catch on, but going last year and going this year, it's real exciting. That's what you dream about and that's what you work for.
''Every program starts out in the winter and that's your aiming point. And when you get there, you have to be excited about your opportunity. You are one of the last two teams in the state still standing.''
In 1997, Kramer took over a Weirton Madonna program that had nine consecutive losing seasons.
''Twelve years ago, we only had 14 kids and we almost didn't have a program,'' Kramer said. ''It's taken a giant step forward. The 9 years before I got here, they hadn't had a winning season.
"We won our first game once I got here and it took off from there.
''The kids started believing in what I was telling them. Then the numbers started growing and the kids started coming out and wanting to be a part of the team and part of the success. It's just built to a point where people want to come here and play football. It's come leaps and bounds from where we started.''
In his 12 seasons on the sideline, the Blue Dons have had 12 consecutive winning seasons, amassing a 101-32 record and six playoff appearances.
''I've had some good teams and some good kids,'' Kramer said. ''We've had some overachievers and some underachievers.
''They were all good kids and I've been proud to coach them all.''
No wonder Kramer has a lifetime contract. It's a contract he plans on fulfilling as long as he is healthy and the job is still fun. It's a job he has no intention of giving up after Saturday, regardless of the outcome.
''Our coaches coach for the love of coaching,'' Kramer said. ''We don't make a lot of money, but we love the school and we love the atmosphere and the support we get from the people.
''My coaches truly do it for the love of coaching and maybe that is a plus. We aren't doing it for pay, we aren't doing it for glory, we are doing it because we love to teach kids the game of football.''
But first things first, and that is Saturday against Man.
In previous trips to the state championship game - 2004 against Wheeling Central and 2008 against Williamstown - the Blue Dons have come up short.
Now Weirton Madonna is back with an experienced senior class that is ready to win a state championship to conclude its careers - and give its coach his elusive trophy.
''It's the best gift we could give him,'' Weirton Madonna receiver Eddie Nogay said. ''If we can finally give him the state championship he's been looking for, after all the great things he's done for us, it would mean a lot.''
Added linebacker-tailback Lou Comis: ''He's worked very hard and he's coached a long time and definitely deserves it. We came close last year. If we play our game, we should be fine. This is important and we all love him and we are all behind him.''
