People making a difference: 'Honorary Grandpa' is football team's No. 1 fan
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
HOLLADAY, Utah — Retiring to the fairways must have been too cliche
for Marlin "Woody" Woodland. When he left his job at the University of Utah
a decade ago, Woody opted for the gridiron.
For the past several years, Brother Woodland has gone beyond attending every Olympus High School home and away football game. He also attends almost every practice, finding a spot on the sidelines where he can watch the team execute drills and scrimmage. He rides the team bus to away games, won't miss the annual homecoming rally and has a reserved spot for the team's weekly pasta dinners on evenings before games.
The 73-year-old shrugs off suggestions he is the team's "Honorary Coach." He prefers "Honorary Grandpa." Through his support and love for football and young people, Brother Woodland is making a difference.
"Woody is here for every practice, every game," said Olympus football coach Mike Miller. "He is definitely our No. 1 fan."
Brother Woodland, a member of the East Mill Creek 2nd Ward, Salt Lake East Millcreek Stake, admits diabetes has slowed him some in recent years. He doesn't golf anymore. He can't ski anymore. When his wife passed away, Brother Woodland said he needed something to keep his spark for life strong. He adopted a football team.
"I really look forward to seeing each of the players," Brother Woodland said.
Football seasons end and high-schoolers graduate, but Brother Woodland said he has made hundreds of lifelong friends. He relishes being able to chat with graduated players who spot him at the games. He also counts many of their parents and Olympus High teachers among his friends, to whom he offers encouragement as they pursue their goals.
Adam Hamilton, a student manager of the football team, said Brother Woodland is like part of the scenery at football games and practices. If Woody wasn't around, he'd be missed, Adam said.
Brother Woodland's contributions go beyond the playing fields. He works in the baptistry of the Salt Lake Temple every Tuesday.
Stay involved, he counsels. You can help make others, and yourself, much happier.
E-mail: jswensen@desnews.com
