The basketball team at Notre Dame High School in St. Louis ran through its drills on the high-gloss court. Music _ the loud stuff that teens like but older adults such as Charles Tabor don't appreciate _ boomed, pumping adrenaline for layups and 3-point attempts.
Tabor, 77, sat on the first row of the gymnasium bleachers, waiting for the home team to take on its opponent. He has been a regular at this courtside seat since 1998. With the help of his retractable white cane, Tabor can make his way from the curb, where he is dropped off by a Call-A-Ride van, into the school. But as soon as Tabor is spotted, at least one student from this Catholic all-girls school runs out to say hello and escorts him inside.
Tabor first showed up at the small south St. Louis County school around this time 19 years ago, after hearing on the radio about a Christmas program at Notre Dame. He doesn't recall much about the holiday performance, but he does remember former athletic director Thom Champion greeting him and asking his name.
"I'm Charles Tabor," he said.
"Welcome to Notre Dame, Charles," Champion said.
"When he said that, I knew where I wanted to be," Tabor said.
A warm voice. A kind word. That was all Tabor needed to become the most loyal fan, the one everyone knows. The elderly man in the Notre Dame cap and matching letter jacket who pulls out a kazoo to engage a quiet crowd.
"We're something in his life, and that's important to him, and to us," said Mark Bayens, athletic director since 2011. "This feels like family to him."
If there is an activity at Notre Dame, Tabor is there. Softball and basketball games. Plays. Christmas and spring concerts. The Fall Festival.
"I believe in being active. If I wasn't active, I wouldn't be here talking to you." A nod to mortality. An opportunity to tout his good health.
Last year, Notre Dame added to the list of items for its annual auction the naming rights for the gymnasium. Dr. James and Beth Lundy, parents of a current Notre Dame student and a recent graduate, were the top bidders. They named the gym after Tabor.
"When he starts to cheer, it's so sweet and genuine," said Beth Lundy, of O'Fallon, Ill. "There's no pretension to it. It's not about attention. He's just excited to be there. You can just tell. I like to honor that kind of thing."
The Lundys, top bidders again this year, chose to keep Tabor's name on the gym.
Below the scoreboard hangs a sign:
"The Charles Tabor Gymnasium
In honor of Notre Dame High School's #1 Fan"
