LA CROSSE — The white letters printed on the back of a black t-shirt were still visible despite being covered with a yellow practice jersey.
They were also the reason an MVC soccer game between Central High School and Arcadia/Independence had a bit of a pop in attendance at Fields for Kids on Monday.
E-DOGG.
It was a co-headline situation for the matchup between the RiverHawks and Raiders, and a complementary piece that was there to keep the game on track.
Some 14 years ago, Ian Weeth began his run as a regular ball runner during games for Central coach Joe Czerniak. He also performed some duties as a manager for the team, extending a career he began in soccer and boys basketball while still attending Central.
Monday marked the end of that chapter for Weeth, who had previously announced he would be stepping away due to the physical requirements or running up and down the sideline.
“Honestly, my body just can’t do it anymore,” said Weeth, who performed similar duties for UW-La Crosse. “I can’t keep up the sprinting. I’m coming back from a back injury, so there are some injury issues.”
His departure wasn’t allowed to be a quiet one. Weeth was singled out to the crowd before lineups were announced, and that was followed by photos with the Central players and then anyone else who had participated in a game during which he’d worked.
Sitting on blankets and watching the RiverHawks play the Raiders were players from the Logan/Luther and West Salem soccer teams. Logan/Luther coach Charles Nassar halted practice so his team could attend the 7 p.m. kickoff.
West Salem coach Lionel Karyea attended with his team and Onalaska coach Tyler Ludeking showed up with some of his players.
It showed the respect Weeth has earned while working both home and road games for the RiverHawks and spending such a long period of time providing support for the sport.
“It’s gonna be weird not having him out there,” Czerniak said. “No one works harder doing that than he does. The times he doesn’t make it to a road match, people are asking where he is.
“He’s been such a fixture. Sometimes he’s more entertaining than the soccer.”
Weeth was chatty with the crowd as he monitored the action and changed position on his sideline. He sprinted one way, then the other. Sometimes he’d stop near the chairs of his parents, Bob and Sandy, and grab a drink of water.
He tossed soccer balls to players for throw-ins or rolled them behind the goals when necessary. At halftime, he ran a couple of sprints with the RiverHawks to stay loose.
Weeth isn’t sure what’s next to fill this void, but it will involve heavily his fiancé, Emily, and son, Gage.
“I didn’t know I’d go this long, but I’ve loved doing it,” Weeth said. “I’m trying to hold tears back right now because it’s part of who I am.”
