Shane Metzler is Central's Most Loyal Supporter

When the undefeated Central High School baseball team won the Pennsylvania 3-A state title last month at State College, part of the Altoona Mirror’s photo coverage showed Shane Metzler celebrating in the team’s dugout.

And when the Herald published its fall schedule of local high school sports I closely scanned the list for Central football, looking for a particular name. And there it was: Shane Metzler was listed as the equipment manager for the team.

I have followed Shane, 47, through the years, and especially appreciated an interview he gave me. He is one of the most loyal and enthusiastic supporters of the Central High School Scarlet Dragon sports teams. He is a vital part of the teams, serving as an equipment manager and roving the sidelines and dugouts at games, exhorting and encouraging the Central athletes.

Shane is also an award-winning athlete himself in Special Olympic events organized for individuals with cognitive challenges. Special Olympics do this by providing them with continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness skills, express courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympians and the community.

The spirit of Special Olympians such as Shane is expressed in the motto: “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

Durban Metzler, Shane’s father, is especially proud of Shane’s athletic achievements. “His best sport was bowling (about a 140 average). He competed at the 2000 World Special Olympic Games at Raleigh, North Carolina, and won silver and bronze medals in individual and team bowling. There were 100,000 people at the opening ceremony, including celebrities such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Stevie Wonder and Billy Crystal. It was a glorious moment when he bent down on the winners’ platform to have the medals hung around his neck.”

Mr. Metzler was grateful for the encouragement given by former track coach Jerome Conlon of the Central faculty for initially involving Shane in the school’s athletic program. “Everyone at Central has been great.”

Shane is admired for being unfailingly friendly, uncomplaining and tenacious. “I enjoy being part of the Central sports program,” he said. “And I like being around all the players.”