By Wesley Lyle
wlyle@gannett.com December 8, 2007PRATTVILLE — The t-shirts have started making the rounds at Prattville High School. Specially designed shirts were set to arrive Friday in preparation for today’s Class 6A state championship game with Spain Park.The shirt asks the question: “Is Prattville going to beat Spain Park?”
The answer: “yyYessir!”.
The wording on the shirt is a tribute to one of the school’s most well known students — Prattville team manager Victor Apodaca.
“We always talk about how Victor is the most popular person in the school,” junior kicker Brian Egan said. “He’s been student of the month, he’s involved with baseball and football and he helps students and teachers. Everyone knows him.”
Apodaca has become a common fixture at Prattville sporting events during the past five years. His love for Prattville athletics, especially football and baseball, is widely known.
“He’s been working with the football team all four years that I’ve been here and he started with baseball last year,” said Prattville assistant football and baseball coach Steve Garrett. “The players and coaches love him. He is “Mr. Prattville.” He lives and breathes Prattville athletics and Alabama football.”
The 18-year-old Apodaca has Fragile X Syndrome. According to the National Fragile X Foundation’s web page, FXS is a genetic condition that causes mental impairment, ranging from learning disabilities to autism or autistic-like behaviors.
Apodaca began working with the football team as a ball boy and has been a manager for the past three years.
“Every practice, Victor helps with equipment and he helps clean up,” Prattville head coach Bill Clark said. “Anything the managers do, he helps with. Having Victor around is great because he’s one of the family.”
As one of the Prattville family, Apodaca’s phrase of “Yes Sir” has caught on.
“‘Yes Sir!’ is his catchphrase,” Garrett said, indicating the way Apodaca will give a slight bow, and brings his hands in front of his body with the palms up. “He began using the phrase last year as a greeting and a way to answer questions. It’s kind of caught on throughout the school.
“You’ll see kids, that aren’t involved with baseball or football, greeting each other with the hand movement, the slight bow and a ‘Yes Sir’”
Garrett, who also teaches special education, has spent a lot of time with Apodaca the past few years. He said it’s been incredible to watch how Apodaca has changed because of his involvement with the athletic program. One of the more noticeable changes is how he has overcome shyness.
“He used to be very shy,” Garrett said. “He wouldn’t make eye contact and he tried to avoid talking to people he didn’t know well. Now he interacts with the players, coaches, students, faculty and administration. Having interacted with the players and coaches, he’s more comfortable about walking up and talking to people.
“He’s become one of the guys. He hangs out with the players and is friends with everybody.”
Egan recalled the first time he met Apodaca.
“I said something like, ‘What’s up Victor?’ He kept his head down and kept walking,” Egan said. “Now, he’s my buddy. We’ll talk about anything.
“There was a time when he didn’t really know what to make of most people. We’ve tried to get him more involved and expose him to other people and things.”
A regular postgame Friday night will find Apodaca hanging out with Egan and defensive back Zach Brownell at a local Waffle House.
“We go eat after every game and one week we decided to take him along,” Egan said. “Now, he’s the first one ready to go. Last week, as soon as the postgame prayer was over, Victor was asking us if we were ready to go to the Waffle House.
“It’s a joy having him around. It doesn’t matter if you’re up or down, Victor will cheer you up because he’s always happy. He does a lot for everyone. He just brings an energy to the team.”
Garrett routinely drives Apodaca to pregame breakfast. The talk often centers on the upcoming game.
“I picked him up last week before the McGill-Toolen game,” Garrett said. “As a coach, I’m always a little nervous before a game. We were talking, and all of the sudden Victor said, ‘Coach, they’re coming to see the show. They’re coming to see the big boys’.
“He’s fun to be around. He always puts a smile on your face, no matter how you feel.”
Garrett said Apodaca’s knowledge of Prattville football is amazing.
“He knows every player by name and he knows about every player,” Garrett said. “He can tell you what any player did in a game and what they’ll probably do in the next game.”
Egan agreed, saying there have been many time his pal has reminded him of an extra point kicked weeks before.
“If you do anything, he’ll remember it weeks later,” Egan said. “If Justin(Albert) ran for 100 yards, he’ll remember it and talk about it. This school and this athletic program mean the world to him.”
Since I was in a rambling frenzy on Saturday, I didn’t realize that I wasn’t clear. Lauren’s boyfriend does not wear makeup on a regular basis. I think my husband would completely freak out on that. Chris was in makeup only because he was on stage. He had a purpose other than looking like a freak…lol.
He was over last night. I must say that I looove Rachel. She is a great pest so that they can’t get too cozy. And she will tell us anything that happens. She is a good little nark and has a huge conscience. You go girl
to arrive Friday in preparation for today’s Class 6A state championship game with Spain Park.The shirt asks the question: “Is Prattville going to beat Spain Park?”
