He helped create the Thunder, now Buhach Colony High celebrates him

The Buhach Colony High School mascot was almost the Bulls. That was before Rich Cometta spoke up during a meeting at the District Office. They were in a meeting room exploring other mascot options. 

 

“There was some silence in the room,” Cometta said. “I just said, ‘What about the Thunder?’ Just like the Tupac song, all eyes on me! I kind of panicked a bit and then threw out the (play-by-play possibility)  ‘Brian Reideman back to pass, he hits a streaking Keith Albrecht down the sideline! (Both Reideman and Albrecht’s parents were in the meeting). TOUCHDOWN…THUNDER! Followed by our built in theme song by AC/DC ‘Thunderstuck’ echoing from the stadium speakers. The rest is history.”

 

Cometta has been part of the Buhach Colony family since the high school opened on Aug. 15, 2001. So it only seems fitting that Cometta serve as the Grand Marshal of Buhach Colony’s first-ever Homecoming Parade since the opening of the new stadium and actual homecoming game on campus. The parade will be held on Friday at 3:30 p.m.

 

“Mr. Cometta and Buhach Colony are synonymous with each other,” said BCHS principal Kyle Mesa, who played football for Cometta at Atwater High. “I can’t think of anyone that has as much school spirit and pride as him…Rich Cometta is one of the staff members that opened the school in 2001 and we wanted to honor those with the most history.”

 

“Although BCHS has had parades go through downtown, this is truly the first ‘Homecoming’ our team has been able to celebrate since opening our new stadium and coming hope to play,” Mesa added. “We felt that Mr. Cometta was the perfect choice for such an honor. He has seen it all in his time in The Colony.”

 

Mesa and some BCHS staff surprised Cometta this week, coming into his classroom and asking if he’d serve as the Grand Marshal. The school also put together a video with many staff members expressing what Cometta means to the school. 

 

“I was quite shocked and honored,” Cometta said. “I got a little emotional as I watched my family of coworkers, no…FAMILY said about me in the video. There are so many folks on this campus who are just as deserving to have that honor bestowed upon them. This honor is going to be shared with those that opened up BC back in 2001. There are six of us who have been here since Day One, Aug. 15, 2001.”

 

Cometta’s wife Kathy, who works as a BCHS campus liaison, was home sick and couldn’t be in the classroom when her husband found out the news. She saw the presentation on video and she could tell how much it meant to him by his silence.

 

“If you know my husband you know he’s NEVER SPEECHLESS,” Kathy said. “He was speechless. Watching him in the video made me cry. He is so incredibly proud to have been chosen as our first “official” HOMEcoming parade Grand Marshall! 

 

Cometta has served many roles during his time at Buhach Colony. He’s taught every level of math up to Geometry. He was one of the first engineering teachers. He coached in the first football game at Buhach Colony, watching as the Thunder scored on a kickoff return on the very first play at the youth PeeWee level. He was there to see the first touchdown of the BC football program as Steven Wine threw a quick slant to Ernest Munoz against Miramonte. 

 

Cometta coached basketball for a year, girls golf for a year, coached boys golf for 15 years and also served as athletic director for four years. He’s also served as the P.A. announcer for football and basketball.

 

“We like to call him the ‘OG of BC,” said Angela Jackson, who has worked with Cometta for 19 years. “I have had the pleasure of seeing Cometta show love and support to the staff and students on this campus. Rich's impact on Buhach is truly immeasurable. He has been a huge part of the history of the school. Rich doesn't just work at Buhach. He is a part of its foundation. His school spirit and pride are unmatched. His love for this school is genuine and contagious.”

 

How important is BCHS to Cometta. Kathy tells the story about when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor in January of 2006. “We were sitting up at Stanford, figuring out his options,” Kathy said. “The doctor said they would be able to operate and try to remove as much of the mass as possible. His first question to the doctor, ‘Can I wait until spring break so I don’t lose the time with my students?’ The doctor’s response: ‘You may not live until spring break.’ He looks up at me and says, ‘I guess the kids will have to be without me for a little longer.’ Seven days later he’s in surgery. That is Rich and his dedication to his students and to his staff!’

 

The love is mutual. “Rich means more to the staff and students than words can fully express,” Jackson said. “He is a trusted mentor, a source of wisdom and knowledge of all things and a presence that makes him feel like family to us. He teaches his students lessons that extend beyond the classroom. As for staff, his knowledge, kindness and funny movie lines are an important part of his school identity. Rich is a gentle giant with a huge heart. He represents the heart and soul of this school.”

 

Cometta says Buhach Colony means everything to him. He met his wife Kathy at BCHS and they’ve worked together for 21 years. It was actually at the opening of the F academy during a water break for football practice that my daughter Ashley said, ‘Mr. Cometta, I think you need to date my mom.’”

 

Buhach Colony will always be home for the Comettas. “These folks are some of my best friends and FAMILY,” he said. “We’ve been in each other’s weddings, gone to baby showers, taught and mentored each other’s kids and later became colleagues with some of those kids. It is truly a special group.”

 

Kathy says after Rich had his surgery for the tumor he came back to work three months too early and fainted twice at Anberry Nursing and Rehabilitation Center trying to get back to school because the kids were e-mailing him about not learning anything from the three subs they had. 

 

“When that same brain tumor started to grow back, not just Buhach but Atwater High rallied behind him,” Kathy said. “They even surprised us with a secret rally! The whole city knows how incredible he is and I’m so thankful he was the one chosen! He’s so deserving. 

 

Shawn Jansen is the MUHSD Program Manager Digital Media. He can be reached at Sjansen@muhsd.org.