For four years, Garfield belonged to the notorious Glenn Jones Crew, a pack of men bound by March Madness, daily lunches, and pick-up basketball. But Glenn Jones, the mighty leader of the Crew, graduated last year, vanishing from Garfield to continue his legacy at Seattle Central. From lockerless halls to smart boards, one question reverberated through Garfield’s halls. The epic Glenn Jones Crew: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Last year, Glenn Jones invited me to lunch with the Crew.. Through the first four periods I sat at my desk, palms sweating and stomach churning, excited for the legendary half-hour that lay ahead.

When the time finally came, he led me down the dusty Lincoln staircase, through the maze of hungry children clamoring for a spot in line, and finally to a serene patch; a table in the corner of the lunchroom.

“This is the Crew!” Glenn shouted, clapping me on the back. “Guys, this is Amanda.” I smiled at the boys around the table. They looked at me blankly, and I fidgeted until one raised his hand in a feeble greeting. I sat, feeling the need to impress. Glenn kept up the conversation, asking the other members at the table questions to lighten the mood. It was time to make my move.

“So,” I said, “do you guys like being in the Crew?” The table was quiet, and I ducked my head, ashamed of my naiveté.

“I’ve never talked to him in my life,” muttered a Crewmember to my left.

“He’s never talked to you, Glenn?” I asked dubiously.

“Oh, he’s a new member,” Glenn said reassuringly. “He hasn’t learned yet.” And so I, in turn, began to learn.

Although Glenn Jones was easy to recognize (tall, dark and handsome), he was not the only Crewmember with potential. Always by his side was sturdy Eric Dere. Eric, being two years younger than Glenn, did not graduate last spring. This year, Eric is Chief.

At lunch with the Crew of 2008 – 2009, I felt its powerful vibe, alive as ever.

“I miss Glenn,” Dere said.

I asked if he still talks to Glenn; he nodded. I asked if he still sees Glenn; he nodded again. I asked if Glenn gave him any advice for the Crew. Dere raised his steely eyes, giving me a steady look. Light from the commons glinted off the rim of his glasses. He reached into his backpack, withdrawing a manila envelope labeled “IMPORTANT.” Slowly and deliberately, he placed it in my hands.

A shiver ran through my body as I reached inside the folder. I now held a stack of papers, all different shapes and sizes, covered in what I took to be Glenn’s small but neat handwriting. At the bottom of the pile lay a college pamphlet. The first page was an inspiring note to Dere, naming him “Leader of the Crew,” and encouraging a strong effort in March Madness this year.

“Here are some numbers for you to call,” it read. I spotted a list of mostly ‘010 girls’ home numbers, doubtless excerpts from the student directory.

Dere said the Crew has switched up the schedule just a bit. Instead of playing basketball at the Lincoln hoop after lunch, they play football on the new turf field. Daring? Yes. But Glenn would be happy to see his disciples trying new things.

A question many of you ladies are probably asking: can females join the Crew? When I voiced this query, the table was silent for a few seconds.

“I don’t know,” said David, a prominent member of the group.

“I want girls,” Dere stated calmly; and with that, the subject was closed.

After a few failed attempts to meet Glenn at “the basketball hoops,” I called him to get his views on the new Crew.

“Amanda, Eric’s the leader now,” Glenn said, “but Glenn Jones started the Crew. At old Garfield, when I was a freshman, I had a friend named Abdiwahab. We were the Batman and Robin of Garfield High School, and we started the Crew.”

Discussing the Crew’s new leader, Glenn grew solemn.

“Eric has all the qualities in the world,” Glenn said. “He has focus, determination, and integrity. He’s a do-gooder who defeats bad guys. He’s like Superman, the Ninja Turtles, Static Shock, and the Justice League.

Again, I voiced my concern about lack of female participation in the Crew.

“If you have questions about the Crew, you gotta ask Eric,” Glenn explains. “Eric runs things. But outside of Garfield, Glenn Jones runs things.”

Bringing up the subject of lunchtime football, I asked Glenn what he thought about March Madness this year.

“I don’t play basketball anymore,” Glenn says. “I gave my moves to Eric, like the Finisher and the One-Hander.”

“Eric told me he has a dream,” Glenn says, “of one day going to the UW to study physics and engineering. I’m so proud of him.”

No one should doubt the power of the new and prospering Crew. In the words of Glenn Jones: “Eric’s gonna be the best he can be, and that’s all I can say.”