The last freshman football game of the season was a memorable one for team member Alex Yoo. Alex was already excited, because he thought it was the eve of his father’s return. Marine Brigadier Daniel Yoo had been deployed in Afghanistan for about a year, and Alex, an only child, “was stoked to see him”.

Little did Alex know, General Yoo was actually scheduled to come home a day early, the day Alex’s football team was playing against Classical Academy. Alex’s mom had made a plan to surprise him with his father’s return, and freshman football coach Xavier Porlas was on board to ensure that the plan ran smoothly. Alex went out on the field as captain for the coin toss at the beginning of the game, and when he turned around to walk back to the sidelines, he spotted his father walking down the stadium stands. General Yoo then walked down onto the field, where Alex was able to greet him before the game began.

“I thought he was coming back the next day, and he wasn’t. So people lied to me!” said Alex with a laugh. “I was so excited. I didn’t know how to react. I was just really happy. And I was so surprised. He looked a little shorter, ‘cuz I grew.”

After reuniting with Alex, General Yoo met the coaches, including Coach Porlas, and all were excited to see him back. “The coaches had wanted to meet him. I was glad that they were able to,” said Alex. After exchanging greetings all around, even with the heightened emotions, the team still had a game to play. “My dad said, ‘Go get ’em’, and I was like ‘alright!'” said Alex.

Alex, a running back and linebacker, must have taken that advice to heart because towards the end of the game, when Cathedral took the ball down, Alex scored a touchdown on the drive. “We didn’t have that big of a running game this year, so that was just my second touchdown,” said Alex, smiling. “And my dad got to see it.”

“It was one of those TV moments,” said varsity football coach Mr. Joe Kilroy, who witnessed the homecoming and touchdown. Cathedral beat Classical Academy. At the end-of-season football banquet, General Yoo received the game ball from the day, which had been signed by the coaches and team.

Post-game, Alex is enjoying every day he gets to spend with his dad. “He is back permanently now, unless he gets deployed again,” said Alex. Alex also plays lacrosse, so should he decided to play on Cathedral’s team, “My dad will probably be able to come to games in the spring, too.”