I was blown away by the turnout as well. And equally amazed that these family members stood as one for all those hours, greeting everyone, mostly with a smile on their face. Their strength during everything was amazing.
Last night, former players and their wives met at the Stadium Club for a time of fellowship and food (and some drink.) Many of them had never seen Russo Park. I thanked as many of them as I could for helping to build the park.
Because every one of them did.
I had a chance to visit with Matt Deggs, Lance Harvell, Jason Gonzales and Wade Simoneaux. Saw Southeastern coach Matt Riser and Jimmy Ricklefsen, who succeeded Robe as coach at McNeese.
And, an older gentleman came up to me and it took me just a minute to recognize him.
It was former South Alabama coach Steve Kittrell. Somehow, I knew he would be there.
I was on the phone with John Szefc when I got the word on Robe's passing. He will be at the funeral today.