Vince Collins shows up
Vince Collins has a gold card in his wallet that allows him to go to any athletic event in the Northeast Dubois County School Corporation for free.
His lifetime pass came in honor of his lifetime of showing up.
Though, it’s unlikely he’ll have to pull the metal card out of his wallet to show at the gate soon; most regulars to a Northeast Dubois game of any kind know Vince by sight.
At Tuesday’s Sectional Games, Superintendent Dr. Tara Rasche said she remembers him coming to games when she was in high school in the 80s.
There are many others who remember him, and he remembers them as well. It’s not uncommon for him to recognize a former Dubois student-athlete while he’s now cheering on their children.
The habit of attending different athletic events began when Vince attended Northeast Dubois in the 80s. After graduating in 1985, he just kept showing up.
And it doesn’t matter what sport is scheduled on a given night, Vince likes them all. He went to watch swimming Monday evening and was sitting tall at the basketball games Tuesday night. Wednesday has nothing on the schedule, so he’s taking a break at home.
You’ll catch him at middle school sporting events, and in the summer, when there aren’t any high school sports, he goes to Little League games.
Typically, on the way in, Vince grabs a sandwich and a soda and pays for an ice cream from concessions–he’ll come back for the ice cream later, he doesn’t want it to melt. At the girl’s sectional Tuesday evening, he sat through both games on a collapsible chairback that he likes to rock in as he watches.
Anytime someone scores, he writes it beside their name on the roster. At the end of each quarter, he adds up the total and keeps track at the bottom. The papers eventually end up in the trash; he’d have stacks of them from his more than 40 years showing up if he didn’t throw them away.
He knows the players’ names on the teams and, after the game, will congratulate them and offer encouragement.
“You’d come out of the locker room, and he was there to congratulate you and tell you good job,” said Kelly Schmitt, Northeast Dubois Athletic Director, remembering her experience with Vince in high school. “He’s done that for so many years now; so many student-athletes and coaches within our community have been blessed by his presence.”
On Saturday, Northeast High School Principal Andy Chin and Athletic Director Kelly Schmitt presented Vince with a lifetime pass between games.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a home game or an away game. Doesn’t matter if the sun’s shining or if it’s raining outside. It doesn’t matter what sport it is. He’s always going to be there,” Schmitt said about the reasoning behind the honor.
The decision to honor Collins was kept secret until he was called down to the floor. Initially hesitant and unsure, Vince’s surprise turned to smiles as the crowd roared in support.
“I think he was a little surprised, hesitant, and unsure what was happening. But I think once he figured out, you know, the fan base behind us was roaring the whole time and super excited for him,” Schmitt recounted.
The gold card sits in his wallet. A sign in town proclaims his crown as the Jeeps’ Number One Fan; he’ll keep coming because, according to him, he “hates staying home, it’s boring.”
But it’s more than that. He loves the Jeeps. He is their number-one fan.
It’s apparent as the emotional highs and lows play out across his face during whatever game he is watching. It’s apparent as he dedicates his time to keeping track of the players, knowing their names and offering encouragement.
Vince Collins is sure to show up.
