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Elden Fuller: Forever faithful fan
Fans may come and fans may go, but Elden Fuller is forever faithful to his beloved McCook Bison.
Elden, who is 72, has missed very few games in the past quarter century ... and most of those were this year because he was hospitalized with life-threatening heart and kidney problems.
"I've just always loved the Bison," says Elden, "It started when I was 11 years old. I was in and out of hospitals when I was young, so I didn't get to participate in sports as a child. But when I watched Leo McKillip and McCook's state champion football team in 1946, I was hooked. The Bison became my team and I have followed them ever since." Following his first wife's death in 1980, Elden began going to every Bison game in football and basketball, as well as Legion baseball games in the summer. When girls softball was added in McCook, Elden started going to all those games, too.
Through the years he also has become a fan of McCook Community College sports, attending all the Indians' home games.
Both coaches and players have been appreciative of Elden's support. Says Jeff Gross, McCook's head football coach: "Elden is ever so supportive of the Bison and he always has been. It's meant a lot to the players to hear him yelling and screaming. His heart's in the right place. He's positive and supportive of the program and the team."
As a symbol of Elden's support, Coach Gross ordered championship rings for him after the Bison captured state championships in 2002 and 2003. Elden paid for the rings because he didn't want any hint of favoritism. But that's not the important thing. What matters is that the rings show how solidly Elden is linked to the team ... and how proud he is of their success.
At his lowest point, when afflicted with serious heart problems, Elden received an assist from a young man who he had followed all through high school. "I watched his first game as a freshman and his final game as a senior, as well as most of his games in between." Elden is talking about Sean Denney, a former McCook High School basketball star who is now a heart surgeon in Kearney.
It was Sean who operated on Elden this fall, removing three blockages and inserting stents. While hospitalized, Elden had a kidney scare, with one doctor telling him he faced lifetime dialysis. But, Elden says, "The good Lord touched me. I have one kidney remaining, and it's now functioning normally."
Elden has never attended a University of Nebraska football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. But he has been to Memorial Stadium five times to watch the Bison play for state championships.
He went again this year, traveling in his van with the Rev. Jon Albright of the Harvest Church and Ted Blythman, who has also faced a number of health issues this year.
Bison spirit burns brightly, carrying McCook High School student athletes to achievements in school and life. One of the keys to success is the support of loyal fans like Elden Fuller, whose heart and soul is fully behind the MHS players and coaches.