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Clara, who says she "didn't know beans" about football at first, now shouts from the stands and discusses the game with other fans. Frank played the sport in high school, where he grew up in Rantoul, Illinois. The Perrys attended the games at Showboat Park, before the current field was built.

"To begin with," said Clara, "It was a family thing, we did it for the family. I guess it still is." Both sons played for the Indians, and their three daughters also graduated from Chesaning. One played the game with Jim Szappen, the current coach for the Indians. Now, their youngest granddaughter Lyndsay Carter, a CHS senior, looks forward to seeing them at the games. Clara recalled the games at Showboat Park where they would park their car close enough to watch. The kids would sometimes fall asleep in the back, and Frank and Clara would cheer so loud, they woke them up. The family has sat through every kind of weather to watch the game, even scrapping ice and snow off of the bleachers. One year, it rained every Friday night. The most exciting game, they say, was the first time the Indians took home the State Championship. The family welcomed the champions home standing downtown to cheer the returning players. Frank was a part of the chain gang running the chains to measure first downs in the 70's. Clara worked for Geotzen's Cleaners, and during the 60's took the football jerseys home to get all the grass stains out. Frank retired from Farmer Peets and Clara retired from Frankenmuth Bank and Trust. The first draftee out of Shiawassee county, Frank served over five years in World War II, , the couple married after he had served for three years when he was home on leave in 1943. When their usual spot by the 50-yard line sits empty, the many other fans notice their absence. Frank, now in his early nineties, and Clara, in her eighties, still attend as many games as they can.

LONG-TIME FANS -- Frank and Clara Perry hold up an old Chesaning stadium cushion, with businesses such as Farmer Peet's and Mc Donald Dairy featured. The couple has been attending Chesaning football games for about fifty years (TCC Photo by Hillary Darling).

Indian Enthusiasts -- Frank and Clara Perry (front) watch the Indians from their usual spot by the fifty yard line. The couple has been attending games for about fifty years. "To begin with," said Clara, "It was a family thing, we did it for the family. I guess it still is" (TCC Photos by Hillary Darling).