Wolverines show true character in wake of stadium disappointment

It was supposed to be a moment seven-plus years in the making.

All the fighting, all the pleas, all the speeches had been made. Windermere High finally had its on-campus stadium.  

For months, Wolverine Nation watched in anticipation as the practice field began morphing into its true home turf. Stands were added. Walls were erected for the concession stand and restrooms. 

The date was set: Friday, Sept. 13. The opponent: University. This was the moment. It was all systems go.

Then, two days before kickoff, it all fell apart.

In hindsight, planning for the opening of the “Wolverine-a” (as some have dubbed it) on a Friday the 13th might not have been the best idea.

In perhaps a fitting twist on this years-long saga, Orange County Public Schools’ own Building Code Compliance Office did not issue the certificate of occupancy for the stadium. 

“The concession stand and announcers booth still need to be completed and inspected before a certificate of occupancy is issued,” OCPS Media Relations Administrator Michael Ollendorff said.

However, in the days leading up to Sept. 13, it seems Windermere High was well aware the concession stand wasn’t going to be operational and planned to have concessions available under tents to compensate. A line of portable toilets stood at the ready to accommodate those needs, as well.

The school even detailed parking protocols so Windermere fans knew just how to arrive for the big day.

What’s more, the stadium opening’s cancellation was news to District 1 County Commissioner Nicole Wilson, who had championed its construction and planned to be there to celebrate along with Wolverine Nation.

Windermere High School Facebook page

The Wolverines even had a commemorative football made with the date and opponent and the words “Inaugural Home Kickoff” and “Welcome Home, Wolverines” emblazoned on the side.

But alas, leave it to an unsigned piece of a paper and a strip of metaphorical red tape to derail all of it.

Lesser schools might have folded under these circumstances. But for these battle-tested and unbelievably resilient high-schoolers, they didn’t merely persevere. Rather, they drenched Sept. 13 with the sweetest lemonade you’ve ever tasted.

Without blinking, Wolverine Nation packed up its navy and lime, hauled it 11-and-one-half miles north to gracious host Ocoee High and re-themed the party to “Under Construction.”

The cheerleaders and fans donned hard hats and neon vests. The football team entered the field by tearing through a “Caution Victor-E Zone” banner decorated with caution tape, a hammer and a wrench. And that customized football? The Wolverines just scratched out “Welcome Home, Wolverines” to make it “Welcome to Ocoee, Wolverines.”

And oh yeah, Windermere destroyed University, 57-7, to remain undefeated this season.

“Thank you to everyone who helped us pivot so quickly to a neutral site,” school officials wrote on Facebook. “And thank you to Ocoee High School who opened (its) doors to us so we could stay on the west side of town. From the concession stand to the field, they were amazing hosts, and we’ll forever be in their debt. I know everyone is excited to move on campus, but we’re just thankful we had a place to play tonight.”

Sure, it wasn’t the night we all wanted. But the challenges of it all did allow Windermere students to show us once again their amazing resolve and ability to make the most out of disappointing circumstances.

On behalf of the entire West Orange community: You have made us proud. And at some point soon, you will, indeed, celebrate the opening of your beautiful new stadium. And we all will be there to savor the moment with you.