I’ve been very lucky. On June 25, I was inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in Bismarck, North Dakota. It is a tremendous honor to become a member of this Hall of Fame. Over forty coaches were inducted and some of their coaching resumes are unbelievable. Some coached for more than fifty years. Some are experts in one sport and some coaching multiple sports. Many are retired but some are still coaching today. It is an honor to join these elite coaches for this special recognition.
I’ve been very lucky. I am lucky to have a family that has been supportive and willing to sacrifice much for me to be a coach. Janice, Alicia, Matt and Maggie allowed me to coach 111 consecutive seasons of football, basketball and track. My first year at Sacred Heart I was hired to coach only boys basketball. The next year, I became the AD, head football and track coach too and I’ve continued that for thirty-seven years. During that time, we have planned vacations and holidays around my games, practices and summer coaching. I missed some of my own kids’ activities and games due to my coaching. It isn’t easy for the family of a coach. Thank you.
I’ve been very lucky. I am lucky to have coached with some great people. I’ve had many great assistant coaches. I’ve worked with many great head coaches of other sports at Falls City Sacred Heart. It’s been special to have assistant coaches that were former players of mine. Some of the best people I have met over the years has been due to coaching. Opposing coaches, referees/officials, parents of opposing players or my own players, sportswriters, NSAA people, trainers, and so many more. I was lucky that Dennis Prichard showed up on my doorstep 38 years ago asking if I needed an assistant boys basketball coach my first season. He and I got things turned around in a hurry back in 1986-87. Thank you.
I’ve been very lucky. I am lucky to have coached so many great kids at Sacred Heart. Many now who are grown up and I am coaching some of their own children. I truly believe the Sacred Heart success over the years is because the players I have coached put the team ahead of themselves and their own personal success. I’ve coached many talented players. Basketball players who could have averaged over 20ppg or football players who could have rushed for over 2000 yards, but they always followed the plan of putting the team ahead of the player. They have worked so hard. They have tried to be the best they can be. They have been a joy to coach. Thank you.
I’ve been very lucky. I am lucky to be YOUR coach. Falls City Sacred Heart is a special place. I have lived it for many decades now. I am often asked if I’m still coaching three sports or why I am doing that. Almost as if I’m crazy. I am now asked often if I’m ready to retire or do I still have what it takes to be a good coach. I hope so. And if I don’t, I hope someone tells me. I am fortunate to be at a school that has allowed me to coach all these seasons and all these years. I appreciate all the people I have worked with at Sacred Heart – fellow teachers and staff, parents, administrators, and all the volunteers that keep our school going. You are an example to me. You have inspired in me to always try to be the best I can be. My own children attending Sacred Heart was probably the main reason to not go somewhere else. I believed this was the best place for them. Working with Father Roh so many years was another reason. He was a good man. He was a good boss, a good mentor, and a great friend. Our little school has so many special people I am thankful for. You make Sacred Heart what it is. Thank you.
Sacred Heart School – a family educating heart, mind, body and spirit for this life and the next.
