The online student news source of Lovejoy High School

The Red Ledger

The online student news source of Lovejoy High School

The Red Ledger

The online student news source of Lovejoy High School

The Red Ledger

Sideline support

High school staff member Jane Schiller takes two football players under her wing
Miss+Jane+chooses+two+football+players+to+support+in+various+ways+through+the+football+season.
Courtesy of Chad Collins
Miss Jane chooses two football players to support in various ways through the football season.

Whether it be working in library, or sitting at the reception desk or serving as assistant to the varsity football coach, Jane Schiller has worked in a variety of positions throughout her decade in the district. However, once Friday night rolls around, Schiller can be seen making her way to the stadium where she’ll stand alongside the 20-yard line of the football field, looking intently toward the players, her hands clasped close to her face in prayer.

The two players Jane supports this season are Carson Collins, number 7, and Blake Phaff, number 3.
Kelsey Carroll
The two players Schiller supports this season are Carson Collins, number 7, and Blake Pfaff, number 3.

Schiller has supported one or two players on the varsity football team each year, ever since the team’s first season.

“I felt that I could [help the players], I felt a heart to do that,” Schiller said. “I felt that it was a place where God would be able to use me, and I would love to do it.”

This year, senior Blake Pfaff and sophomore Carson Collins are the players Schiller occasionally buys drinks and lunches for, comforts through issues they are facing, and prays for. However, Schiller said, “God’s the one that chooses” the players she supports.

“I just wait and see. This year it was Blake [Pfaff] and I think God put him on my heart and everything and I thought that was gonna be it,” Schiller said. “But I just felt very strongly that I needed to meet [Carson] and talk to him, and when I did I just knew that God said ‘I think that Carson would be somebody you should take to,’ so I did.”

Schiller wears a football jersey with both players’ jersey numbers on it, and paints their numbers on her fingernails, as well as standing on the sideline where she says she “pray[s] for them every minute that they’re pretty much on the field.” Pfaff said Schiller’s support has helped him play the healthiest season of his career.

“I’m very excited about it because the past guys [that have been chosen] were guys that I always looked up to when I was a kid,” Pfaff said. “So being that person, I’m very thankful for it.”

To Collins, Schiller is “like another grandma,” and Schiller is very close to his family.

After a home win against Frisco Wakeland, Jane takes a photo with senior safety Blake Pfaff.
Courtesy of Christina Pfaff
After a home win against Frisco Wakeland, Schiller takes a photo with senior safety Blake Pfaff.

“She kind of influences me like in a spiritual way, always is a positive influence and is always encouraging me,” Collins said. “She helps me just relax and just be myself out there. She kind of takes the pressure away.”

Schiller says that Pfaff is “fun” and “a good leader,” and that Collins could “probably be, in my estimation, probably the best football player, best quarterback, that this school’s ever seen.” A football coach’s daughter herself, Schiller said she was “raised on a football field” and has a special perspective on what life is like for players.

“I know my football very well and I can sense when there’s an issue or something and I think that they need some support or something in a certain area I’ll do that, you know that type of thing,” Schiller said.

Both Pfaff and Collins used the same word to describe their feelings for the woman they call “Miss Jane.” Love.

“They know I’m always there,” Schiller said. “I never take my eyes off them.”

View Comments (2)
More to Discover
About the Contributor
Kelsey Carroll, Section Editor
Senior Kelsey Carroll has never owned a dog or a cat, but she’s the proud caretaker of two mini cacti living their life on her windowsill, and she thinks that’s just enough. She never forgets to water them weekly, as she’s a fond planner user who prides herself on writing down just about any task, even “write staff bio,” which she just proudly accomplished. When she’s not strumming twangy ukulele chords in her bedroom on the weekends or attempting to play a cello countermelody in class during the week, Kelsey can be found dancing to whatever plays in her earbuds (which are constantly on her) while editing photos until her laptop battery dies each night. Her days start before the sun’s up at swim team, and end with her furiously deciding which of her 16 pairs of Harry Potter socks to wear the next day. Whether she’s shooting sideline photos and dodging officials on the football field, or manning a jumbotron camera for the fans to see, Kelsey loves to be involved in any visual coverage she can get her hands on. Although she’s soft spoken, Kelsey hopes to share stories through her photos and writing as she tackles her roles as photographer, community editor, and social media editor during her fourth and final year on staff.

Comments (2)

The Red Ledger values the opinion of its readers and encourages them to discuss its content. All comments are subject to approval by The Red Ledger staff. The Red Ledger does not allow anonymous comments and requires a valid email address. The email address will not be displayed but will be used to confirm your comments. Comments are reviewed as often as possible. Comments with inappropriate content will not be published. Once submitted, comments become the property of The Red Ledger. To see our full Comment Policy, visit https://www.theredledger.net/about-us/policies/
All The Red Ledger Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • R

    Richard CollinsNov 4, 2016 at 12:26 pm

    We need more people like Jane I know Carson really appreciates it and for the rest of his family we do to and we think Lovejoy for allowing a person of her character to do this

    Reply
  • B

    Beth AnnNov 2, 2016 at 3:57 pm

    What a great lady! Amazing. That is true support in the best way.

    Reply