Alumnus continues as #1 fan

By Danielle Childress

Any athlete, coach, cheerleader or fan in the past twelve seasons knows who Mr. Herbert Sigmund is, though most would not recognize him by that name.

They probably know him instead as “Varina Man” or the “Take It to the House Guy.”

When he was a student of Varina, Mr. Sigmund left his mark by scoring the first touchdown on the home field in the 1950s. As an alumnus, he has attended every football and baseball game since 1999 to give back to the community in which his family lived.

“I enjoy football and baseball, and I think it’s a help to the community. I get the opportunity to talk to the young people not only about sports, but things in life. And I’m proud to say that the biggest majority look for me to be at the games,” Mr. Sigmund said.

Mr. Sigmund sees the athletes he watches play ball as his own children.

“Some people ask if I’ve got a kid on the team, and I say, ‘Yeah, I got about 42 to 44 guys on the team, plus I have about 14 to 16 cheerleaders.’ And they laugh. You don’t believe they’re mine? Their old man will be there,” Mr. Sigmund said.

Senior running back Robert Archer is a four-year veteran of Blue Devil football.  He has noticed Mr. Sigmund’s presence since day one and said the team can always hear Mr. Sigmund from the field.

“His presence makes the Varina football experience that much greater. His energy adds to the atmosphere of the game,” Robert said.

Senior baseball pitcher Jarrett Poh laughs when he tells stories of Mr. Sigmund’s effect on the game.

“After every game he comes up to us when we lose and gives us a good speech and prepares us for the next game,” Jarrett said.

Administrator Cody Streightiff has attended most football games and has witnessed Mr. Sigmund’s effect on the team and the fans for the past 10 years.

“It’s like having another cheerleader. It’s definitely a positive. Everyone hears him, everyone sees him and everyone knows who he is. He’s Varina’s loudest cheerleader,” Mr. Streightiff said.