Remembering Patti Powell: the biggest Blue Streaks fan

SANDUSKY — There are fans. Then there are diehard fans. And, in a class by herself, there's Patti Powell — unquestionably and unanimously, among those affiliated with Sandusky Schools, the biggest fan of Blue Streaks boys basketball. Affectionally called "the candy lady" — she handed out treats to players during games and even younger kids who had no money for a purchase at the concession stand — it's bittersweet for those who knew Patti as the team embarks upon a historic run. In memory Patti, 72, passed away Jan. 29. For decades, Blue Streaks basketball dominated her days, giving her a pleasant distraction from life's many challenges. Even her obituary — before it listed any of her family members, details on a memorial service and other pertinent information — explicitly stated how the Sandusky native and lifelong city resident "was the biggest fan of Sandusky Streakball." A 1971 Sandusky High School graduate, she began following the team as a student. She befriended classmates — like John Farris, among the district's greatest players, who scored 1,000 career points — which first brought her into The Big House, quickly becoming her second home. In the mid-1980s, as a young adult, Patti began attending every single game. She continued to do so, bringing along a young Timothy, who graduated from Sandusky High School in 1997. Beginning in the early 1990s, the professional accountant witnessed firsthand the emergence of Streakball: a fast-paced, high-energy successful style of play that invigorated players and fans alike. "Her biggest moment as a Streaks fan was in the early 1990s," said Timothy, who today lives in Montana. "I remember it being at Bowling Green State University, and it was a double-overtime thriller against Mansfield." Even during down years, Patti stuck with the team, never giving up on any boy who donned a Blue Streaks jersey. Rooting for each player on the court, she delivered many assists away from it as well. Most notably, as Timothy recalls: • "My mom would always help the team raise money for various costs along the way." • "There were several seasons that Sandusky held a slam dunk contest with a 3-point challenge, and my mom would go to area businesses and gather donations that were used for prizes that fans could win." • "She would bring oranges and Gatorade and candy for the team and even for any kid who was around the team." • "The last two years of her life, she was bedridden — and she still watched a stream of every single game and would send a link of the stream to most people that she knew." A fan of everyone Count spouses Sean and Linda Carroll, of Sandusky, as two of the biggest Blue Streak fans as well. They knew Patti for years, always admiring her passion, dedication and commitment to the program. While many understood Patti's unwavering support for players, she showed equal kindness to all team personnel, Sean said. "She was really tight with cheerleaders and advisers, and she would have them all over for dinner, movie nights and such," said Sean, who, along with Linda, felt inspired by Patti's benevolence and followed in her generosity. "Anything the coaches needed, we would all take care of it, and that went on for years." Throughout her final years in life, and up until the day before she died, Sean regularly talked to Patti about Blue Streaks basketball. It gave her a needed escape while maintaining a meaningful friendship. "She was really frustrated with her health and being bedridden and missing her Streakball," Sean said. "It's sad, but maybe she is silently cheering from somewhere better for her for her Streaks." Everyone around the team greatly misses her presence, especially DeMar Moore, the team's head coach, who played on those 1990s Streakball teams. Patti found ways to not only establish one-on-one connections at Sandusky but keep them for years afterward, Moore said. "Ms. Patti has been following Blue Streak basketball for a very long time. I remember her following me through high school and college as a player," said Moore, a 1995 Sandusky graduate who played at Bowling Green State University. "When she wasn't able to attend games, I could always count on a message from her after the game whether we won or lost," Moore said. "She would always reach out. She would be so proud of our team's success this season and would be sitting front row at the Nutter Center (in Dayton) for our state semifinal game." Waiting for this moment On March 8, Sandusky captured a regional championship, which earned the school its first-ever trip to a final four/state semifinal game. Sandusky (19-7) will play No. 2 Cincinnati Aiken (26-1) in a state semifinal at 3 p.m. Sunday at Wright State University in Dayton. Patti truly waited and anticipated this moment for her entire adult life. Despite Sandusky never qualifying for this round before, "She would still buy tickets to the state semifinals and finals every year, hoping they would make it," Timothy said. While sad, Timothy wants every player, coach, student, administrator and fan to know his mother wants everyone to enjoy this moment — even if she's not physically present. Timothy knows it's what his mom would want. "This season would have made her very happy, and part of me thinks she is watching over them," he said. "Winning state would mean everything to her."