Lahser Season-Opening Victory Rings With Meaning

Lahser's season opener ended with the sweet sound of victory Friday night as a newly dedicated bell chimed in memory of a special friend and booster to the school, Jim Belleau.

Belleau, who led the Lahser Booster Club for four years with his wife, Jan, until their children graduated, became an announcer at the football games. He died Feb. 21, 2010, after a battle with colon cancer, his death leaving a void for a community that had come to count on Belleau's giving nature and dedication to the school.

"He was the best human being I've ever known," said Dan Loria, the head coach of the Knights. Loria was brought aboard 10 years ago upon the recommendation of Belleau. "All he ever did was for us; he always found time for us and for the kids."

Loria's team won their home opener 34-20 over Birmingham Groves in front of a packed hometown crowd at football field. But Loria wasted no time after the game in getting over to give Jan Belleau a hug and to help her ring the bell memorializing her husband.

If players and students coming up in the system don't remember who Belleau is, Loria said "I'll tell them – we will not forget him."

Jan Belleau said she and Loria were looking for a way to memorialize Jim and the idea of a victory bell came up. The two found the right bell in a Brooklyn, MI, pole barn owned by a man who searched for bells on ships and in churches. "We want to put it in a bell tower," she said, but added that with the uncertainty surrounding the fate of the high schools, they decided on a portable bell for now.

Her husband, she said, lived by the motto: "Be kind, do good works and lift others," and that she wanted that spirit to be passed on. The memorial seemed like a good way to do it while giving the players a way to mark their victory.

"In order to continue his winning attitude and keep his spirit alive here at Lahser, a new tradition will begin tonight," said a special dedication read at the game (see attached).