Friday night, hundreds of Tippecanoe Valley fans poured through the gates to take in the first home football game of the year. Even though the Vikings suffered a tough 47-0 loss to Culver Military Academy, there was a bigger story taking place at the field. For one thing, Valley fans took their seats to watch the game on the west side of the field, a distinct change from last year. Facing east, the new bleachers provided an incredible view of the game. Even more important than the new bleachers, however, was what stood directly behind them – the new Scott Bibler Memorial Press Box, which commemorates the life of long-time Valley football coach Scott Bibler. Scott passed away in a plane crash in early October 2015; his wife, Stephanie, and daughters Chelsea and Megan knew almost immediately that they wanted to honor his life by donating a new press box to the school and football program he loved so much.

Throughout the day leading up to the game, clouds hovered and threatened rain. At kickoff, though, the sky was clear. Sitting in the press box and surveying the field through a large panel of seamless glass, WRSW radio announcer Rita Price remarked emphatically, “It’s not going to rain on this. This is Scott’s parade tonight.”

And Scott’s parade it was. At halftime, Stephanie, Megan, and Chelsea were joined on the field by friends, family, and Tippecanoe Valley staff for a ribbon-cutting ceremony officially dedicating the press box to Scott. Those in the stands rose to their feet to honor a man and family who have been a large part of their community for so many years. Through the new press box, Scott Bibler will continue to touch the lives of those in the Tippecanoe Valley community for years to come.

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Pictured (L to R): Stephanie, Chelsea and Megan Bibler stand in front of a memorial wall inside the new press box during an open house on Saturday morning.