Coach (1989–1997): Season 2, Episode 10 - The Curley O'Brien Award - full transcript
Everybody expects Hayden to win the Curley O'Brien award, but is upset when the awards goes to another coach.
Uh-oh.
What?
Did you know that one of your
arms is longer than the other one?
You're kidding.
No, no. Your right arm is about a quarter
of an inch longer than your left one.
Is that a problem?
Not for me.
It's not my arm.
For making the suit.
Oh, no problem at all.
But if I were you, I'd always carry
something heavy in your left hand.
I'm kidding.
Well, stop it.
(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
Dad? Hey, guys. Come on in.
How are you doing?
Fine.
Are you being
measured for a suit?
No, I'm getting
an artificial leg, Stu.
You wouldn't be getting a new suit
for the sports banquet, would you?
Why?
Because we kind of wanted
to talk to you about that.
We know you're going to win
the Curley O'Brien Award,
and I know you were counting on
Stuart and me being there for it,
but we got this chance to go with a
bunch of kids to Chicago, Saturday,
to see
the Royal Shakespeare Company.
They're wonderful.
For you, it would be...
It would be like taking
your team to a Fruit Bowl!
And we were just thinking that since
Christine and Luther and Dauber
and all those guys on the team
are all going to be there,
would it really matter
if two theater majors,
who don't really know anything
about sports to begin with,
begged off
and instead experienced
what would burn brightly as the
most memorable night of their lives?
Banquet's at 7:30, right?
Right.
We'll see you there.
Uh-huh.
Ladies and gentlemen,
fellow coaches, alumni,
I don't know what to say.
This is going to be
some party, Coach.
Yeah, well, it will if I win
the Curley O'Brien Award, boy.
ATHLETE: Oh, don't worry,
you'll win.
Huh? Oh, come on,
let's not be too overconfident here.
But you're giving
a victory party.
Hi.
Oh, is this all for tonight?
I thought it was just going to
be a few friends and family.
Well, it was, but you know
how these things go.
I mean, after you win
an award like this,
there's usually
an impromptu dinner afterward.
I just thought I'd plan for it.
I mean, if I win the award.
Hayden, you know
you're going to win the award.
That's why
you're throwing this party.
Oh, I wish everybody
would quit saying that.
The only reason
I'm throwing the party,
is because I happen to love the
spirit of the Curley O'Brien Award
and everything it represents.
Last year
you said it was a
"bogus award handed out by a
jury of feeble-minded geezers
"who wouldn't recognize
a coaching achievement
"if it bit them
on their sagging bottoms."
How do you remember
those things?
(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
Hey, Howard.
Hi, Christine.
Hello, Howard.
I'm going to go
put these things away, Hayden.
All right.
There he is.
King of the hill. Top of the heap.
Man of the hour.
All ready for the big night?
Well, I'm anxious to honor whoever might
happen to win the Curley O'Brien Award.
Oh, come on.
Everybody knows who's going to win.
I know, you know,
Curley knows.
Is that him?
Fresh from the trophy maker.
You want to see?
Oh, no! No.
I don't want to see him before tonight.
I mean, it might be bad luck.
You don't need luck tonight,
you're a shoo-in.
Look, who does the award
traditionally go to?
Either a coach that's had a great
success or a terrible illness.
Everyone's been healthy,
so there's no pity vote.
And who's had a better year than you?
You were 7-and-4.
That is the best coaching record
for Minnesota State football
since Curley O'Brien himself.
(WHISPERING)
Okay, I'll take a peek.
Yeah.
Curley...
Do you really think
he's mine?
I think he winked at you,
Hayden.
Where are you going to put him?
I don't know.
I'll probably have
something built.
Like a shelf?
Or a room.
Hey, Christine,
look who's here.
Oh, my.
Is that the award?
Yeah, that's Curley.
Don't touch him.
Sorry.
I just don't want you to put
a curse on it or anything.
I've never seen you this
anxious about an award before.
Christine, this is the highest
award the university gives out.
Come on,
I've been there eight years
and all the years I've had
to go to that stupid banquet
and see somebody else
get all that applause.
I mean, I want the applause
to be for me.
And tonight you'll have it.
Well, listen,
I've got to go back
and get Curley buffed
before the banquet.
See you tonight.
Hey, see you tonight.
Luther. Dauber.
Close your eyes.
Huh?
Close your eyes.
Okay, come on over here.
Come on, I got you. Okay.
Okay.
Turn around, turn around,
turn around.
All right.
You ready?
Uh-huh.
Okay, open your eyes.
Okay, I still can't see.
What is that?
A little surprise
from the coaching staff,
except for Mackenzie,
who wouldn't kick in.
It's a trophy case.
We had it made.
It's got lights in the top
and an electric turntable
on the bottom
so the award can revolve
for eternity.
I don't know what to say, you guys.
That's beautiful.
It ought to be.
It's simulated oak veneer.
We thought you could
put it in your bedroom
so the last thing you see at
night before you go to sleep
and the first thing you see
in the morning
when you wake up
will be Curley.
Except, of course,
when Christine is over.
Excuse me,
chicken or beef?
Chicken or beef?
Chicken or beef?
This is table 16, right?
NUN: Uh-huh.
And you're here
with the Fox party?
Yes.
Okay...
Hey.
Oh, there they are.
Hi, guys.
Hey, how you doing?
(ALL CHATTERING)
Dad.
Hi, sweetheart.
Hi, everybody.
Wow, you look great!
A tuxedo, huh?
Yeah, I guess it is.
Who are the nuns?
Oh, hey, everybody, I'd like you to
meet a couple of friends of mine.
This is Sister Mary Katherine,
Sister Mary Grace.
Sisters, this is my girlfriend,
Christine Armstrong.
My assistant coach,
Luther Van Dam.
(GREETING IN LATIN)
My secretary, Mrs. Thorkelson.
How do you do?
Another one of my assistants,
Dauber Dybinski.
And, of course, Judy Watkins,
our girls' basketball coach.
Women's basketball coach.
What did I say?
You said, "girls."
Oh, well, I gave them the gender,
I thought that was being generous.
And, of course, I guess you met my
daughter, Kelly, and her friend, Stuart.
Husband.
Whatever.
The Sisters
are my guests tonight.
I thought if I were blessed
enough to win the award,
I thought I'd donate my
honorarium to their convent.
Well, I don't know
if he told you,
but he's donating a lot more
than his honorarium.
What's he giving you?
A mini-van!
A what?
Well, I read in the paper where
the Sisters' car had been stolen,
so I figured if the Lord smiled on
me, I'd smile on them.
That is so
incredibly generous.
That's what
I was trying to be.
Good evening,
ladies and gentlemen,
and welcome to the 34th Annual
Minnesota State Sports Awards Banquet.
I think you're in
for a dandy time tonight.
We have
a delicious dinner planned,
followed by the presentation
of the awards.
But right now, I see our waiters are
bringing out the Polynesian fruit cups,
and as they do, I want you all
to sit back, relax
and enjoy, as you do every
year, the musical magic
of our own Riley Pringle and his
band, The Life of Riley.
Maestro!
One, two...
You know, Gordon,
you really epitomize
the spirit of the Inspirational
Player of the Year Award.
I think we were all
deeply concerned this spring
when you were
struck by lightning
during the NCAA
Golf Championship.
It was a near tragic incident,
and it was amazing enough that you survived.
But to come back
and rejoin the team
and play as you have this past year
has been nothing short of a miracle.
Congratulations, Gordon, and thank you
for being an inspiration to all of us.
Thank you, Mr. Burleigh.
The next award
is the Spirit Award.
This is given to the person
who most exemplifies
the spirit
of the Screaming Eagle,
both on and off the field.
Traditionally, this award
is given to a student athlete.
But this year, the committee
has seen fit
to bestow this honor
on a non-athlete.
They felt that no one
better exemplified
the fighting spirit
and the soaring pride
of the Minnesota State
Screaming Eagle,
than our own band director,
Mr. Riley Pringle!
Oh, my.
Oh, my God.
Um...
Uh...
(STUTTERING) I don't know what to say.
I'm completely unprepared.
Uh...
You know
what this award means?
It means you like me.
You really like me.
What a muldoon.
And now, for the award
we've all been waiting for.
The Curley O'Brien Award
is the highest athletic honor
Minnesota State University can bestow.
Each year, this special award
goes to the coach
who sets the highest standards
of leadership, of courage,
of dedication and of success for
his team and the entire university.
This year's recipient,
whose name I hold in this sealed envelope,
has been chosen
by the selection committee
because he best represented the spirit of
sportsmanship, inspired by Curley O'Brien.
We are proud to present this
year's award to a man so deserving.
Ladies and gentlemen,
this year's Curley
O'Brien Award winner is...
Judy Watkins, coach of
the women's basketball team.
(FORCED LAUGHTER)
Yes! Yes!
Uh-huh!
Yes! Okay!
Congratulations, Judy.
You had an outstanding season.
Thank you, Mr. Burleigh.
You're the first woman ever to
receive the Curley O'Brien Award.
In fact, I didn't even know
that was possible.
1, too,
am unprepared for this.
I've only been
at Minnesota State a year,
so I'm not all that familiar
with Curley O'Brien.
In fact, I didn't even know this award
existed until a couple of days ago
when Coach Fox invited me to sit
at his table for tonight's banquet.
My lack of familiarity
should in no way be interpreted
as a lack of appreciation.
I understand the huge
significance of this award,
and I just... l hope I can continue to
live up to the high set of standards
that Mr. O'Brien set.
Thank you.
Everybody!
Are you all right?
Oh, I'm fine. Fine.
You know, the best man won.
That's what this award is all about.
I'm happy for her.
I really feel terrible about
this, Hayden. Why?
I wasn't counting on winning.
You know me, I just take life as it
comes, Luther. Here it comes.
Hey, congratulations, Judy.
Thank you, Hayden.
I'm sorry.
Sorry? What is everybody
so sorry about?
Come on, this is a
celebration, let's celebrate.
Hey, everybody...
Everybody at the banquet,
could you just please
shut up for a minute?
I just want to tell you
how proud I am of Judy,
and the fine, strong women
that she leads.
I mean, I think it's great.
Riley, just play a celebration
song for Judy, would you?
And champagne for everybody.
Come on, now.
Come on.
(BAND PLAYING)
There she is.
Huh?
This is really big of you,
Hayden.
And don't you worry, Sisters,
I'm gonna get you that mini-van, plus.
Christine, would you just make
sure everybody gets champagne,
'cause I'm going to just
go to the men's room.
I'll be right back.
Be right back, everybody.
Go ahead.
Right back.
Right back
for you, too, okay?
Congratulations, honey.
Thank you.
God, what a surprise.
Especially for Hayden.
I can't believe the way he's taking this.
Neither can ll. I thought he'd
blow right through the rafters.
How do you think
he's taking it?
Well, I think he's trying to be
magnanimous, be a good sport.
He's not coming back,
is he?
I don't think so.
Hayden?
Hayden?
Hi.
Hi.
I would have come sooner,
but I thought you might
need some time alone.
Yeah, that's probably smart.
Actually, I've cheered up
considerably.
I, uh, I saw
you took down the party.
Yeah, well, it seemed kind of silly
to have the decorations up now.
What did you do with them?
I folded everything up
and threw it in the lake.
You threw all the decorations
in the lake?
Um-hmm.
What about the champagne
and all the food?
In the lake.
The sterling silver
punch bowl?
The lake.
The cake?
Lake.
Oh, Hayden, I'm sorry.
Why?
It was
the logical thing to do.
I've thrown my life away.
Might as well throw the party away.
What do you mean,
you've thrown your life away?
I mean, I've thrown away
everything in my life for coaching.
I threw away a marriage for coaching.
I threw away being a father for coaching.
I threw away having family and
friends and a home for coaching.
Nothing left.
You have me.
How long can that last?
You know, everything in my
life that matters to me,
I've put on the line
for this job.
And the only thing that I've ever
asked, is that I get some recognition.
You know, winning
the Curley O'Brien Award
would have said, "Hey, man,
the sacrifices were worth it."
When Judy got the award,
it was just like saying,
"Well, my whole life was just
this great waste of time."
Oh, Hayden.
Now I gotta buy a van for a bunch of nuns.
I'm not even Catholic.
Hayden, your life
is not a waste of time.
It's expensive, because you
throw so much of it in the lake,
but it's not a waste.
You...
You can't measure your life
by how many awards you win.
You measure your life by the impact
you have on people around you.
Christine,
I annoy the people around me.
Sometimes.
But you also motivate them,
you teach them, you inspire them.
Do you really think so?
I really do.
Then why couldn't they have
given me an award for that?
I think you've ended up with a lot more
in your life than you think you have.
Your friends
are proof of that.
Oh, Christine, ...
I don't think
I have any friends.
Then who are
all the people outside?
What?
I didn't come here
by myself, Hayden.
Who's out there?
Everybody.
Kelly, Stuart, Luther,
Dauber, Judy, Howard,
Mrs. Thorkelson,
Riley Pringle, the nuns.
You mean they drove all the way out
here just to make me feel better?
Yes.
Huh.
If 1 won
the Curley O'Brien Award,
I might never have
known that, huh?
That's true.
I still wish I had it.
I know you do.
Oh, gosh.
Well, come on now.
They drove all the way out here
just to make me feel better.
I think I better go out there
and give them what they came for.
Better get your shoes.
Shoes are in the lake.
Well, thanks, everybody.
I'd offer you some champagne,
but I seem to be out at the moment.
Hayden, we all
just wanted to say that...
(STAMMERING)
Well, I don't know
exactly what we wanted to say,
except, well,
you're a great guy
and if there's ever a Hayden Fox
award, we think it should go to you.
Dad, I am so glad we didn't
go to Chicago tonight.
Yeah, me, too,
sweetheart.
Does that include me?
Sure, what the hell.
Hayden, this probably
doesn't mean very much to you,
nothing I say ever does,
but I feel that the band would
be nothing without the team.
And without the good-natured
competition between us,
I might never have won
the Spirit Award.
So this is for both of us.
Well, then, can I have it?
Uh, well, uh...
It's a joke, Riley.
Oh, you...
He got me again.
I know
it's been a rough night,
but I've got to tell you,
if there's one person
who feels worse than you
do, it's Howard Burleigh.
Why is that?
He was the one telling everyone
how you were a shoo-in.
He feels responsible.
Gee, I never even
thought of that.
Poor Mr. Burleigh.
He's standing down on the dock right now,
just staring at the water.
Oh, maybe I ought to
go down and see him.
Hey, well, thanks for coming,
everybody.
That was really sweet of you.
Christine, would you see if
anybody would like anything?
I think I've got
some soda and corn left.
I'm just going to
go down and...
I just...
I'll take care of Howard.
I've got to hand it to Coach.
He's taken this like a champ.
That's one thing people
don't understand about Dad.
I know he acts
like a maniac sometimes,
but underneath it all,
he's really a kind, caring person.
(HOWARD SCREAMING)
(SPLASHING)
What was that?
That's Howard.
Hayden just threw him in the lake.
What?
Did you know that one of your
arms is longer than the other one?
You're kidding.
No, no. Your right arm is about a quarter
of an inch longer than your left one.
Is that a problem?
Not for me.
It's not my arm.
For making the suit.
Oh, no problem at all.
But if I were you, I'd always carry
something heavy in your left hand.
I'm kidding.
Well, stop it.
(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
Dad? Hey, guys. Come on in.
How are you doing?
Fine.
Are you being
measured for a suit?
No, I'm getting
an artificial leg, Stu.
You wouldn't be getting a new suit
for the sports banquet, would you?
Why?
Because we kind of wanted
to talk to you about that.
We know you're going to win
the Curley O'Brien Award,
and I know you were counting on
Stuart and me being there for it,
but we got this chance to go with a
bunch of kids to Chicago, Saturday,
to see
the Royal Shakespeare Company.
They're wonderful.
For you, it would be...
It would be like taking
your team to a Fruit Bowl!
And we were just thinking that since
Christine and Luther and Dauber
and all those guys on the team
are all going to be there,
would it really matter
if two theater majors,
who don't really know anything
about sports to begin with,
begged off
and instead experienced
what would burn brightly as the
most memorable night of their lives?
Banquet's at 7:30, right?
Right.
We'll see you there.
Uh-huh.
Ladies and gentlemen,
fellow coaches, alumni,
I don't know what to say.
This is going to be
some party, Coach.
Yeah, well, it will if I win
the Curley O'Brien Award, boy.
ATHLETE: Oh, don't worry,
you'll win.
Huh? Oh, come on,
let's not be too overconfident here.
But you're giving
a victory party.
Hi.
Oh, is this all for tonight?
I thought it was just going to
be a few friends and family.
Well, it was, but you know
how these things go.
I mean, after you win
an award like this,
there's usually
an impromptu dinner afterward.
I just thought I'd plan for it.
I mean, if I win the award.
Hayden, you know
you're going to win the award.
That's why
you're throwing this party.
Oh, I wish everybody
would quit saying that.
The only reason
I'm throwing the party,
is because I happen to love the
spirit of the Curley O'Brien Award
and everything it represents.
Last year
you said it was a
"bogus award handed out by a
jury of feeble-minded geezers
"who wouldn't recognize
a coaching achievement
"if it bit them
on their sagging bottoms."
How do you remember
those things?
(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
Hey, Howard.
Hi, Christine.
Hello, Howard.
I'm going to go
put these things away, Hayden.
All right.
There he is.
King of the hill. Top of the heap.
Man of the hour.
All ready for the big night?
Well, I'm anxious to honor whoever might
happen to win the Curley O'Brien Award.
Oh, come on.
Everybody knows who's going to win.
I know, you know,
Curley knows.
Is that him?
Fresh from the trophy maker.
You want to see?
Oh, no! No.
I don't want to see him before tonight.
I mean, it might be bad luck.
You don't need luck tonight,
you're a shoo-in.
Look, who does the award
traditionally go to?
Either a coach that's had a great
success or a terrible illness.
Everyone's been healthy,
so there's no pity vote.
And who's had a better year than you?
You were 7-and-4.
That is the best coaching record
for Minnesota State football
since Curley O'Brien himself.
(WHISPERING)
Okay, I'll take a peek.
Yeah.
Curley...
Do you really think
he's mine?
I think he winked at you,
Hayden.
Where are you going to put him?
I don't know.
I'll probably have
something built.
Like a shelf?
Or a room.
Hey, Christine,
look who's here.
Oh, my.
Is that the award?
Yeah, that's Curley.
Don't touch him.
Sorry.
I just don't want you to put
a curse on it or anything.
I've never seen you this
anxious about an award before.
Christine, this is the highest
award the university gives out.
Come on,
I've been there eight years
and all the years I've had
to go to that stupid banquet
and see somebody else
get all that applause.
I mean, I want the applause
to be for me.
And tonight you'll have it.
Well, listen,
I've got to go back
and get Curley buffed
before the banquet.
See you tonight.
Hey, see you tonight.
Luther. Dauber.
Close your eyes.
Huh?
Close your eyes.
Okay, come on over here.
Come on, I got you. Okay.
Okay.
Turn around, turn around,
turn around.
All right.
You ready?
Uh-huh.
Okay, open your eyes.
Okay, I still can't see.
What is that?
A little surprise
from the coaching staff,
except for Mackenzie,
who wouldn't kick in.
It's a trophy case.
We had it made.
It's got lights in the top
and an electric turntable
on the bottom
so the award can revolve
for eternity.
I don't know what to say, you guys.
That's beautiful.
It ought to be.
It's simulated oak veneer.
We thought you could
put it in your bedroom
so the last thing you see at
night before you go to sleep
and the first thing you see
in the morning
when you wake up
will be Curley.
Except, of course,
when Christine is over.
Excuse me,
chicken or beef?
Chicken or beef?
Chicken or beef?
This is table 16, right?
NUN: Uh-huh.
And you're here
with the Fox party?
Yes.
Okay...
Hey.
Oh, there they are.
Hi, guys.
Hey, how you doing?
(ALL CHATTERING)
Dad.
Hi, sweetheart.
Hi, everybody.
Wow, you look great!
A tuxedo, huh?
Yeah, I guess it is.
Who are the nuns?
Oh, hey, everybody, I'd like you to
meet a couple of friends of mine.
This is Sister Mary Katherine,
Sister Mary Grace.
Sisters, this is my girlfriend,
Christine Armstrong.
My assistant coach,
Luther Van Dam.
(GREETING IN LATIN)
My secretary, Mrs. Thorkelson.
How do you do?
Another one of my assistants,
Dauber Dybinski.
And, of course, Judy Watkins,
our girls' basketball coach.
Women's basketball coach.
What did I say?
You said, "girls."
Oh, well, I gave them the gender,
I thought that was being generous.
And, of course, I guess you met my
daughter, Kelly, and her friend, Stuart.
Husband.
Whatever.
The Sisters
are my guests tonight.
I thought if I were blessed
enough to win the award,
I thought I'd donate my
honorarium to their convent.
Well, I don't know
if he told you,
but he's donating a lot more
than his honorarium.
What's he giving you?
A mini-van!
A what?
Well, I read in the paper where
the Sisters' car had been stolen,
so I figured if the Lord smiled on
me, I'd smile on them.
That is so
incredibly generous.
That's what
I was trying to be.
Good evening,
ladies and gentlemen,
and welcome to the 34th Annual
Minnesota State Sports Awards Banquet.
I think you're in
for a dandy time tonight.
We have
a delicious dinner planned,
followed by the presentation
of the awards.
But right now, I see our waiters are
bringing out the Polynesian fruit cups,
and as they do, I want you all
to sit back, relax
and enjoy, as you do every
year, the musical magic
of our own Riley Pringle and his
band, The Life of Riley.
Maestro!
One, two...
You know, Gordon,
you really epitomize
the spirit of the Inspirational
Player of the Year Award.
I think we were all
deeply concerned this spring
when you were
struck by lightning
during the NCAA
Golf Championship.
It was a near tragic incident,
and it was amazing enough that you survived.
But to come back
and rejoin the team
and play as you have this past year
has been nothing short of a miracle.
Congratulations, Gordon, and thank you
for being an inspiration to all of us.
Thank you, Mr. Burleigh.
The next award
is the Spirit Award.
This is given to the person
who most exemplifies
the spirit
of the Screaming Eagle,
both on and off the field.
Traditionally, this award
is given to a student athlete.
But this year, the committee
has seen fit
to bestow this honor
on a non-athlete.
They felt that no one
better exemplified
the fighting spirit
and the soaring pride
of the Minnesota State
Screaming Eagle,
than our own band director,
Mr. Riley Pringle!
Oh, my.
Oh, my God.
Um...
Uh...
(STUTTERING) I don't know what to say.
I'm completely unprepared.
Uh...
You know
what this award means?
It means you like me.
You really like me.
What a muldoon.
And now, for the award
we've all been waiting for.
The Curley O'Brien Award
is the highest athletic honor
Minnesota State University can bestow.
Each year, this special award
goes to the coach
who sets the highest standards
of leadership, of courage,
of dedication and of success for
his team and the entire university.
This year's recipient,
whose name I hold in this sealed envelope,
has been chosen
by the selection committee
because he best represented the spirit of
sportsmanship, inspired by Curley O'Brien.
We are proud to present this
year's award to a man so deserving.
Ladies and gentlemen,
this year's Curley
O'Brien Award winner is...
Judy Watkins, coach of
the women's basketball team.
(FORCED LAUGHTER)
Yes! Yes!
Uh-huh!
Yes! Okay!
Congratulations, Judy.
You had an outstanding season.
Thank you, Mr. Burleigh.
You're the first woman ever to
receive the Curley O'Brien Award.
In fact, I didn't even know
that was possible.
1, too,
am unprepared for this.
I've only been
at Minnesota State a year,
so I'm not all that familiar
with Curley O'Brien.
In fact, I didn't even know this award
existed until a couple of days ago
when Coach Fox invited me to sit
at his table for tonight's banquet.
My lack of familiarity
should in no way be interpreted
as a lack of appreciation.
I understand the huge
significance of this award,
and I just... l hope I can continue to
live up to the high set of standards
that Mr. O'Brien set.
Thank you.
Everybody!
Are you all right?
Oh, I'm fine. Fine.
You know, the best man won.
That's what this award is all about.
I'm happy for her.
I really feel terrible about
this, Hayden. Why?
I wasn't counting on winning.
You know me, I just take life as it
comes, Luther. Here it comes.
Hey, congratulations, Judy.
Thank you, Hayden.
I'm sorry.
Sorry? What is everybody
so sorry about?
Come on, this is a
celebration, let's celebrate.
Hey, everybody...
Everybody at the banquet,
could you just please
shut up for a minute?
I just want to tell you
how proud I am of Judy,
and the fine, strong women
that she leads.
I mean, I think it's great.
Riley, just play a celebration
song for Judy, would you?
And champagne for everybody.
Come on, now.
Come on.
(BAND PLAYING)
There she is.
Huh?
This is really big of you,
Hayden.
And don't you worry, Sisters,
I'm gonna get you that mini-van, plus.
Christine, would you just make
sure everybody gets champagne,
'cause I'm going to just
go to the men's room.
I'll be right back.
Be right back, everybody.
Go ahead.
Right back.
Right back
for you, too, okay?
Congratulations, honey.
Thank you.
God, what a surprise.
Especially for Hayden.
I can't believe the way he's taking this.
Neither can ll. I thought he'd
blow right through the rafters.
How do you think
he's taking it?
Well, I think he's trying to be
magnanimous, be a good sport.
He's not coming back,
is he?
I don't think so.
Hayden?
Hayden?
Hi.
Hi.
I would have come sooner,
but I thought you might
need some time alone.
Yeah, that's probably smart.
Actually, I've cheered up
considerably.
I, uh, I saw
you took down the party.
Yeah, well, it seemed kind of silly
to have the decorations up now.
What did you do with them?
I folded everything up
and threw it in the lake.
You threw all the decorations
in the lake?
Um-hmm.
What about the champagne
and all the food?
In the lake.
The sterling silver
punch bowl?
The lake.
The cake?
Lake.
Oh, Hayden, I'm sorry.
Why?
It was
the logical thing to do.
I've thrown my life away.
Might as well throw the party away.
What do you mean,
you've thrown your life away?
I mean, I've thrown away
everything in my life for coaching.
I threw away a marriage for coaching.
I threw away being a father for coaching.
I threw away having family and
friends and a home for coaching.
Nothing left.
You have me.
How long can that last?
You know, everything in my
life that matters to me,
I've put on the line
for this job.
And the only thing that I've ever
asked, is that I get some recognition.
You know, winning
the Curley O'Brien Award
would have said, "Hey, man,
the sacrifices were worth it."
When Judy got the award,
it was just like saying,
"Well, my whole life was just
this great waste of time."
Oh, Hayden.
Now I gotta buy a van for a bunch of nuns.
I'm not even Catholic.
Hayden, your life
is not a waste of time.
It's expensive, because you
throw so much of it in the lake,
but it's not a waste.
You...
You can't measure your life
by how many awards you win.
You measure your life by the impact
you have on people around you.
Christine,
I annoy the people around me.
Sometimes.
But you also motivate them,
you teach them, you inspire them.
Do you really think so?
I really do.
Then why couldn't they have
given me an award for that?
I think you've ended up with a lot more
in your life than you think you have.
Your friends
are proof of that.
Oh, Christine, ...
I don't think
I have any friends.
Then who are
all the people outside?
What?
I didn't come here
by myself, Hayden.
Who's out there?
Everybody.
Kelly, Stuart, Luther,
Dauber, Judy, Howard,
Mrs. Thorkelson,
Riley Pringle, the nuns.
You mean they drove all the way out
here just to make me feel better?
Yes.
Huh.
If 1 won
the Curley O'Brien Award,
I might never have
known that, huh?
That's true.
I still wish I had it.
I know you do.
Oh, gosh.
Well, come on now.
They drove all the way out here
just to make me feel better.
I think I better go out there
and give them what they came for.
Better get your shoes.
Shoes are in the lake.
Well, thanks, everybody.
I'd offer you some champagne,
but I seem to be out at the moment.
Hayden, we all
just wanted to say that...
(STAMMERING)
Well, I don't know
exactly what we wanted to say,
except, well,
you're a great guy
and if there's ever a Hayden Fox
award, we think it should go to you.
Dad, I am so glad we didn't
go to Chicago tonight.
Yeah, me, too,
sweetheart.
Does that include me?
Sure, what the hell.
Hayden, this probably
doesn't mean very much to you,
nothing I say ever does,
but I feel that the band would
be nothing without the team.
And without the good-natured
competition between us,
I might never have won
the Spirit Award.
So this is for both of us.
Well, then, can I have it?
Uh, well, uh...
It's a joke, Riley.
Oh, you...
He got me again.
I know
it's been a rough night,
but I've got to tell you,
if there's one person
who feels worse than you
do, it's Howard Burleigh.
Why is that?
He was the one telling everyone
how you were a shoo-in.
He feels responsible.
Gee, I never even
thought of that.
Poor Mr. Burleigh.
He's standing down on the dock right now,
just staring at the water.
Oh, maybe I ought to
go down and see him.
Hey, well, thanks for coming,
everybody.
That was really sweet of you.
Christine, would you see if
anybody would like anything?
I think I've got
some soda and corn left.
I'm just going to
go down and...
I just...
I'll take care of Howard.
I've got to hand it to Coach.
He's taken this like a champ.
That's one thing people
don't understand about Dad.
I know he acts
like a maniac sometimes,
but underneath it all,
he's really a kind, caring person.
(HOWARD SCREAMING)
(SPLASHING)
What was that?
That's Howard.
Hayden just threw him in the lake.