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by Susan Lagazo
As he watched his son release his arrows and methodically look through his binoculars to see exactly where they had landed, Ed was sure that his son was focused because Guy’s arrows were finding their target. 'The trophy was in the bag," Ed thought. As he watched his son, he noticed a slight deviation of his habitual 5 second time to bring the binoculars to his eyes, spot his target and put; the binoculars strung to his hip to prepare for the next shot. Instead, after pinpointing the last arrow, he saw his son scouring the crowd and for a few seconds stop as if he had found his sought out view and smiled as intense as his smile whenever he hits a perfect ten! Ed was keenly aware of Guy's interest and it wasn't just the target he was shooting, it was also a petite & beautiful young lady who was also competing. At that moment Ed knew his youngest child's interests were ranging far above that of this sport of archery. Her name was Valerie Scribari. She was a lovely eighteen year old lady who was also the director of the tournament at Brooklyn College in New York. Guy was brought to her attention because the adult archers wanted Guy out of their group. At thirteen, Guy was shooting the recurve bow like a skilled adult. In the end, Guy was permitted to compete with the Adults and eventually won his Gold. The controversy allowed Guy to get closer to Valerie who at that time had no intention to have anything to do with someone younger than her. Little did Valerie know that Guy, as serious as he was with his archery was just as serious to win her too. 27 YEARS LATER . . . Because of the spirit of competition at Proline Archery Lanes, (located at 95-11 101ST Avenue, Ozone Park , Queens N.Y. 11416), my husband Armen and I became regular members. The range is a melting pot of talented archers. Our passion for archery deepened and bowhunting was always the centerpiece of interest. Armen joined the men who were busy with their endless tales of hunting and I was busy being fascinated listening to the art of shooting a recurve. One of the people I observed was Ed Gerig who, even though now in his sixties, still possessed deep enthusiasm for the sport after some 50 odd years. Even though he’d rather mind his own business, occasionally, he can’t help but give pointers to struggling archers. One of those archers was me. Like any advise, you can either take it or leave it but I noticed that when Ed's advice was taken the improvements were almost miraculous. 
Ed Gerig Saturday was JOAD (Junior Olympic Achievement & Development) day at the Proline Archery Lanes. Guy and his lovely wife Valerie headed the group of around 25 children whose ages ranges from five up. Amongst these youngsters were their children. Guy Jr. (10 years old), Brian (7 years old) and Valerie Jr. (5 years old). I frequented Proline mostly on Saturdays and look forward to just seeing the kids enjoy archery. One day, I decided to turn interviewer/reporter. To fit into the role, I armed myself with a tape recorder and a camera. The interview went well and I’d like to share a brief excerpt from the interview with Valerie and Guy. 
Guy Jr., Brian, Valerie Jr, Valerie and Guy Susan: “Valerie, how do you feel about JOAD?” Valerie: “I feel that this program should be family oriented. This JOAD group is not about competition but about having fun with the sport. Although my husband and I encourage children that might choose to compete, we try to emphasize the importance of enjoying archery”. Susan: “ Do you get paid for doing this?” Valerie: “No, but there are good things that comes out from it. We get to enjoy the sport as a family. My Children, as you know, practice together with the other kids. Our eldest son Guy has been shooting for five years, Brian for two years and our youngest, Valerie who is five, just started.” Susan: “How do the kids feel about archery?” Valerie: “The children grew up seeing Guy and me shoot and this created the desire for them to do what we are doing. Young kids are easily influenced by their parent’s. It seemed the most natural thing for them to pick up the bow and imitate us. We never push them to shoot because this would create a negative effect. We just let the wanting to be positive.” Susan: “Guy, what do you do for a living?” Guy: “ I am a Forensic Detective for the Suffolk County Police Department” Susan: “ How far have you gone in the field of archery competition?” Guy: “Well, ever since I started my family, I have put competition secondary to my children and wife. My job takes my time but every chance I get, I practice, compete and hunt. So far, in the field of competition, I can mention some of my achievements: 2000 Olympic Team Trials 8TH place
Susan: “ Whew, that is quite an achievement! Where do you go from here?” Guy: “Well, I am 35 years old and I think I’ve got plenty of room for
improvement. I will be out there to go on competing and winning!”
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YEAR
: 1972 . . . The thirteen year old boy named Guy was determined to
win a particular archery tournament. He meticulously prepared his recurve
bow and mentally replayed over what his father had taught him over the
years. His father Ed Gerig watched his son like a hawk, uttering not a
single word nor giving any silent exchange of thought to his son. He had
given all the knowledge he had on archery. For him, out there in the field
of competition, you are on your own to muster all the information, discipline
& physical preparation into one nucleus to create a winning force.
Guy looked at his Dad who wore a sober face, he knew his Dad was
there for him as always. Ed smiled inside, his heart warming, certain his
boy had absorbed all his guidance, especially his last & final instruction
before the tournament. "Concentrate" he had said, "Just concentrate".
He
added, "Also I hold the current Single & Double FITA records as well
as 90 meter & 70 meter records and was given a 4 year College scholarship
to Arizona State University.”