Hell in the Hall – Louisville Sports Blog

“It’s difficult for him to put into words what he feels.

But, Scott tells me his actions speak louder than words. “

Janice Spicer, mother of

Scott Spicer, sports fanatic, Boogie Cam dancer, and Card fan since 1980.

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He’s in my section. You all have seen him. When the Boogie Cam dancing starts, he’s the one that always gets the biggest cheers from the crowd.

Our section knows him as the Boogie Man. His real name: Scott Spicer.

Scott lives with his kind and gracious mother, Janice Spicer, who allowed me to visit with her and Scott in their home. Scott has Downs Syndrome, but carries on a very active and productive life. Unfortunately, it is difficult for Scott to participate in ordinary conversation. But his mother served as our translator.

After raising Scott and his sister, Janice has devoted her career to helping those in need–first, as a public school teacher for children with special needs, and now working with the homeless and families in crisis. Her constant warm smile, good spirit and twinkle in her eyes hint at some of her talents in this area.

In my phone conversation with her before my visit, Janice filled me in a bit as to what to expect:

“You may not be able to really talk with him much. It’s difficult for him to put into words what he feels. But Scott tells me his actions speak louder than words.”

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Janice welcomes me into their home. “Scott’s been expecting you. He’s watching the Cubs game right now. Please have a seat, and I’ll go get him.”

I turn around to look for a seat, but before I can sit down, a large, smiling young man strides quickly toward me and stops. It’s Scott –decked out in full Card wear, including a Boogie Man shirt, and over-sized, bright red and white Card sneaker/slippers. He is ready!

I am momentarily stunned…. but in awe of the pure and honest display of true Card spirit and goodwill that stands before me.

Janice introduces me to Scott and I say some pleasantries and shake his hand. He smiles back. I smile. We start…

Frank: Janice, how long has Scott been a Card fan?

Janice: “Oh, for a long time. Ever since he was 8 years old (Scott is now 37). “

“Scott was born in Bowling Green, where his father and I went to college. We were not Card fans then. But we were all from Louisville. We went to Manual in the ’60s when football was big. So when we moved back to Louisville after college, we started to follow the football team at first. Scott grew up with U of L football. Then we got into basketball when they won their first championship and with the great teams in the ’80s.”

“When Howard Schnellenberger came to U of L, Howard kind of made Scott a team mascot, and he went to all the football camps. We are huge Schnellenberger fans. I have a soft spot in my heart for Howard. He took the time to allow Scott to really participate.”

The twinkle in Janice’s eye moment disappears for a moment and her voice lowers: “Scott has had rheumatoid arthritis since he was 14. The medicine has taken a toll on his body–high blood pressure, diabetes. For over 10 years, he was a member of the Cardinal Booster Club and traveled to follow the teams as much as he could. But, now he’s limited from traveling. He had to give up going to football games 13 years ago because of the walking.”

Frank: Scott has been at every basketball game I can remember, except for the last game of the season. I was wondering why he wasn’t there.

Janice: “Yes, he wouldn’t miss a ball game for anything. Unfortunately, Scott had a flare-up in his knee. He hated to miss it.”

Frank: Scott, who is your favorite Card basketball player of all time?

Scott smiles and thinks. His eyes drift off for a few seconds to past images. Suddenly, an even bigger grin breaks out. “LaBradford Smith.”

Janice: “LaBradford was very nice to Scott when he met him. “

Frank: Janice, please tell me some more about Scott’s background.

Janice: “Well, He’s a very social person. He went to his prom in high school and he goes to dances with the Special Olympics. He enjoys music of all types–religious, country, old rock and roll–but not any rap.”

“Scott is a huge sports fan. He played basketball and other sports with the Special Olympics. He once made a 3 pointer in a game!”

“He reads every word of the sports section. He will cut things out and save them in a file cabinet. He likes to collect things.”

“He loves all kinds of sports. For example, he was just watching the Cubs on TV. Later he’ll watch the U of L women’s basketball game. And, he was thrilled when the baseball team went to the College World Series.”

“Right now he is starting to follow the women’s softball team and is looking forward to going to the games. Some of the girls on the team danced with Scott. He really liked that.”

I look over at Scott. He is beaming radiantly.

“Some Cardinal fans may not like this, but Scott will root for UK too. The University of Louisville is #1 but he will root for other state schools, like Western Kentucky, where we went to college. His grandfather taught him to root for all schools from Kentucky.”

“For 15 years, Scott has worked in the sheltered workshop which is part of the Independent Industries and Goodwill. He puts things together, assembles items for their clients.”

“Something that is very important to Scott is his church. He takes his role as Communion server at Southeast Christian very seriously. It really distressed him to miss it recently because of the snow.”

Frank: Were you surprised the first time Scott danced for the Boogie Cam?

Janice: “Yes! The first time they did the Boogie Cam, he just got up. It surprised me and the people around us a lot. They have all known Scott since he was a little boy. He grew up at Freedom Hall. So everyone was surprised, but they supported him and told him he did great. Ever since then, he has done it and really enjoys doing it.”

Frank: Has Scott ever received any recognition for his Boogie Cam dancing?

Janice: The first year Thornton’s gave him a sweat shirt with “Boogie Fan” on it. He loved it so much, he wore it to every game, until he finally wore it out. They gave him another long sleeved shirt–a 3x. He liked it, but it was too hot in Freedom Hall for him to wear it.”

“Recently, when we stopped at a restaurant, some of the people said, “Hey, there’s the Boogie Guy. Can we have your autograph?” Scott enjoyed that.”

“But Frank, Scott doesn’t do it for recognition. He just does it for fun. Because he enjoys it. “

Frank: Scott, who is your favorite player on this year’s team?

Again, Scott thinks and his eyes drift off, but this time the answer comes more readily: “Earl.”

Janice: “Scott is really excited about this year’s team. Naturally, he was disappointed by the loss to Georgetown. But, after a short time he was okay and said “OK, they did the best they could. We’ll get them next time.” (She laughs) You know, he takes these losses a lot less hard than me. I’m still moping the next morning, and he’ll come in and comfort me. He’s always in good spirits, and even tempered. We should all be so lucky! He’s much better than I am. (She laughs again.)”

Frank: Does Scott have a favorite team or souvenir?

Janice: “His favorite team was the 1986 team, and his favorite souvenir was a basketball signed by Denny Crum and all the players on that team. (Again Janice’s smile fades momentarily) Unfortunately, when the big flood came a few years ago, he lost that ball and really everything–all his music collection, pictures, videos, every Star Trek–he’s a collector!. He lost everything…we lost everything. Lots of family items. You see, we’re close to Beargrass Creek.”

Frank: “I’m truly sorry to hear that.”

Janice: “Thanks. We’re finally all back together again. But, as you can imagine, it upset Scott a lot at the time.”

Frank: Janice, will Scott ever be able to live on his own?

Janice : “It’s been Scott’s dream for a long time to live on his own. He wants to have his own apartment. He’s met many people at the Special Olympics and the dances who live on their own. He’s able to read and write and has held a stable job for 15 years.”

“But he’s on a waiting list for supported living with 6-7000 other people. It just may never happen.”

“But, he still has the dream. And Scott and I know he could do it.”

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Fortunately, God has blessed people with Downs Syndrome, like Scott, in many ways. There is a pureness, kindness and honesty in them that strikes anyone who meets them. Those qualities seem to endure and do not readily yield to crippling disabilities, age, or cynicism.

We should all be so lucky.

Scott also shows us all the way with his dancing.

It is a show of pure, unrestrained joy–and fun. For being at a Card’s game, for being in the Hall–the home in which he was raised–for being surrounded by people who know, love, and support him.

We should all feel such unrestrained joy and fun — again.

Through his dancing, Scott shows us his love of the Cards and his love of the game…and his love of all of us as his Card family.

Thank you, Scott. Please, please keep on dancing.

We love you, too.

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Scott Spicer is the third inductee into my Card Fan Hall of Fame.

Other planned inductees include:

The Referee Shirt Waver aka Stuart Grossman, and

The Runner (or Cha Cha Guy) aka Jeff Blume

And in football: Patrick Hughes

All of these will be done in the future seasons.

If anyone wants to nominate any other candidates that I have overlooked, please do.