If you're a member of the most successful high school football program in Nebraska, what do you do to celebrate after the game?

For the McCook High School Bison, the answer -- overwhelmingly -- is to go to Fuller's Family Restaurant to eat a hearty late night meal.

The tradition -- for both home and nearby away games -- started when the cafe's owner and chief cook, Val Fuller, began serving after-game grub to his youngest son, Ryan, and his football buddies. "There were only four or five kids at first," Val said, but, over the years, the number has steadily grown, now reaching to 40 or 50 Bison players.

"They're big eaters," Val said. The players' favorite is the one-pound hamburger basket, featuring large size burgers and a heaping helping of French fries. Coming in close behind in popularity are chicken strips and shrimp.

The lady in charge of the dining room at Fuller's, Linda Thayer, has a soft spot for the players. "She usually cuts them a pretty good deal," Val said, including half-price meal specials.

The after-game gathering at Fuller's means a lot to the players, Coach Jeff Gross said. As an example, he tells about the Bison's state championship in 2002. "I was invited to celebrate with family and friends in Lincoln, but the seniors had other ideas. 'We want you to come along with us on the bus. We're going to Fuller's to eat," the seniors said.

The coach couldn't say no, and he's glad he didn't. Because, when you think about it, it's not only the big meals that make the after-game gatherings at Fuller's special. It's the chance the get-togethers provide for players to bond and, in the process, build the tradition that is so much a part of the Bison's football success.

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The title of this little poem is "Upon Seeing an Old Boyfriend." It was written by Carol Otteson, and submitted to me by Janet (Eckhardt) Rich for the McCook High School Class of 1959. Here's the poem:

Am I fatter?

What does it matter.

We're both married,

No need to flatter.

Losing your hair?

I really don't care.

How many kids?

Now let's compare.

Same old grin.

Where have you been?

Give a hundred dollars

If I looked thin.

So why bring this up? Because it kind of summarizes what members of the MHS Class of '59 felt like in late October when they gathered in Santa Fe for a "65th Birthday Bash."

If you know members of the Class of '59 you shouldn't be too surprised because they were always a fun-loving group. The party started on a lark. Five McCook grads, all living in the Denver area, came up with the idea of a get-together to celebrate turning 65 and receiving Medicare.

Janet Rich, who has retired to McCook with husband, Larry, said, " ... even with the extra pounds, wrinkles and loss or hair -- we knew each other!"

The 1959 graduates who gathered in Santa Fe were Roger Buffington, Sally (Stephens) Byrnes, Jerry Daniels, Jim Dorram, Mary Sue (Hormel) Harris, Nancy (Ball) Kepler, Tom Klingner, Donald Morgan, Dan Nielsen, Janet (Eckhardt) Rich, Bonnie (Harris) Smith, Eunice (Carlson) Cotton Smith, Robert Thompson, Mary (Roedel) VanderMolen, Ardis (Holst) VonSeggern and Marilyn (Blum) Wurst.

Five alumni and spouses also attended the party. Among them were Janet's husband, Larry, as well as Dixie (Shepherd) Buffington, Diane (Bressler) Foster, Bill Harris and Don Kepler.

Janet gives a lot of the credit for the Santa Fe event to Mary VanderMolen. "She got the ball rolling and made it happen," Janet said. Even more special events should be coming in the future for the Class of 1959. After all, they now have all that Medicare money to spread around.