PN-G's Run Through Tipi
| At the Indians' first home game of 1999, September 10 vs. Beaumont Ozen, a new era in Indian tradition arose. It was the era of the Run-Through Tipi. It is through this mystical tipi, amidst fog and strobe lights, that the young warriors from PN-G embark upon their legendary quest--to victory! The Tipi was the brainchild of Josh Welch, a student at PN-G. The following is a first person account by Josh of the creation of: PN-G's Run Through Tipi. (photo courtesy Ronnie Thibodeaux of TNT Productions) |
Dear PNG FAN, Hello my name is Josh Welch and I am the creator of the inflatable teepee and tunnel. Let me tell you how it came about. I was at a West Brook playoff game and I noticed that their opponent had an inflatable bobcat head that the team ran through. It was very impressive and intimidating. I thought to myself that if that little school can have one Port Neches-Groves can certainly have one. So I called the school that had it and got the name of the company. I called the company and told them who I was and what school I went to and all the tradition and pride we had. They decided to design the world's first inflatable Teepee and Tunnel. This company is the same one that does all the pro football teams and Macy's parade. They told me that my school would have one of the country's best inflatable images. I got all the information about the idea and went to Mr. Jeffery and told him about the idea. Then he and Mr. Esquivel decided that I could start fundraising this $15,000 dollar project. So as of May I began raising money and have had an unbelievable turnout. I have raised over $14,000 for the project. The remaining balance is coming from T-shirt sales. The shirts have the team football picture on the back and can be bought for $15.00 dollars. We got the Teepee and Tunnel in, in time for the first pep rally where the team walked through it. The teepee and tunnel are at all home games and playoff games. We don't take it to away games because we have good sportsmanship. The teepee and tunnel have a smoke machine and strobe light that really adds to the excitement. I just wanted you to know about the new tradition set at PNG
so everyone will know that Port Neches Groves is setting the standard for High School
football. Already our opponents are making theirs out of cloth trying to compete with our
inflatable. I just wanted to tell you about this wonderful project that the football team
has to run through. |
