Community rallies after Milan C. Roth Memorial vandalized

WAYLAND — A memorial honoring late Wayland resident and WACO High School football standout Milan Cedric Roth was vandalized earlier this month, leaving his family and community heartbroken but determined to preserve his legacy.

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The monument, located at the WACO football field, was dedicated after Roth’s sudden death at age 47 in 2004. A stone football sat atop the memorial, and for nearly 20 years, WACO players carried on a tradition of touching it before every game.

“It was a way to keep the passion Milan had for the game alive,” said his widow, Linda Roth. “By touching the football I felt it gave the team a sense of confidence, pride and unity — like he was right there on the field with them.”

Milan Roth, born in 1957, was an all-state player who competed in WACO’s first-ever playoff game in 1972 before continuing his career at William Penn University. He later married Linda Hauenstein and raised his family in Wayland, where he became known as a devoted husband, father and community supporter.

His son, Chayse Roth, said the memorial has come to represent more than just his father’s memory.

“Since 2005, every football player at WACO has touched that football,” he said. “Knowing the players before you and the players after you will do the same tradition is pretty special.”

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The theft of the football left the family stunned.

“First hearing the football had been stolen off the monument was shocking,” Chayse said. “Made me angry, honestly. I didn’t understand why someone would do that.”

Linda echoed her son’s feelings.

“I couldn’t believe someone could do something like this,” she said. “For 20 years I watched the team touch the ball and every time it gave me chills. This tradition was not only for my family but for the whole community.”

In response to the vandalism, Wayland resident Heath Slaughter launched a T-shirt fundraiser to support the Roth family and fund repairs or added security. The shirts, featuring the slogan “Chayse is on the Case” along with Milan’s number 41, sold quickly.

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“I was talking to my little boy Abner, whose best friends with the Roth boys,” Slaughter said. “I told him about the football being stolen, and he told me, ‘Chayse is on the case!’ I thought, he sure is. A couple of days later I thought, what can we do to help out? And BAM — I thought, let’s buy a bunch of shirts, sell them, and give the money to the Roths to help out.”

He said the community response has been overwhelming.

“I didn’t know how this would take. I made some shirts, got Chayse and Linda’s blessing, and just went for it. But I couldn’t do my thing without the community. It has been truly amazing — we picked them up yesterday and sold out by bedtime.”

Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the Roth family, who may use the funds to replace the stolen football, repair the memorial or improve security at the field. Anyone interested in purchasing a shirt can contact Slaughter via Facebook.

Slaughter said the act of vandalism “crossed a line” in a town that values its sense of togetherness.

“We’re not talking about rocks through a window,” he said. “We’re talking about tampering with a memorial. Wayland is a tight little community who treat others like family, and this will not be tolerated.”

Although she said she was hurt deeply by the theft, Linda added that the outpouring of support has been a source of strength.

“The WACO school is a top-notch place,” she said. “The parents and community support them tremendously. We are so blessed to have such support.”

The Wayland Police Department is currently investigating this incident and right now, Linda simply urges whoever took the football to own up to their mistake.

“We all make mistakes and do things we regret but do the right thing and return it,” Linda said. “You did not just destroy the monument — you destroyed my children’s father’s legacy, and you should be ashamed of yourself.”

Anyone with information about the missing football should contact the Wayland Police Department or WACO Jr./Sr. High School.

For now, the Roth family and the Wayland community say they will continue the tradition Milan Roth inspired nearly two decades ago.

“It’s always dark before the sun comes up,” Slaughter said. “But we’ll come through this stronger together.”

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com