Everyone in the Wabash Valley knows the rivalry between Linton and Sullivan runs deep; however, tonight as the two battle on the hardwood, they will also come together as one for something that is much bigger than sports.
Tonight, the two will join to support 13-year-old Luke Jones, of Sullivan, who is battling brain cancer.
T-shirts showing support for Luke’s Team with “Arrows with Miners” instead of Arrows vs. Miners have been sold in both communities. Earlier this season, when Sullivan’s junior high teams came to play at Linton, our junior high teams sported the shirts as warm-ups to show their support.
Thus far, nearly $3,000 has been raised for Luke and his family.
This isn’t the first time area teams have joined together for a good cause, and I’m certain it won’t be the last.
When North Vermillion’s stand-out football player Braeden Hollowell was killed in a car accident, several Miner football players and coaches loaded up on a bus and attended the visitation. When the Miners headed to North Vermillion the following season, fans purchased t-shirts donning the message “Linton with North Vermillion” with Hollowell’s number 47. Proceeds from the t-shirt sales were donated to the school for a scholarship in Hollowell’s name.
I was born a sports fan, and gestures like these make me love sports even more. When teams and athletes can come together, set aside the rivalry for a few minutes, show support, then compete – it’s inspiring and the lessons taught through these gestures can be life-changing.
When the opening tip is tossed tonight, Linton and Sullivan will once again become rivals, but off the court tonight, they will share a special moment of sportsmanship and support.
The Greene Beat 
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