THE PUBLIC MIND: PRIDE EXPRESSED IN A COACHING JOB THAT WAS WELL DONE

To the Editor:

What makes a coach?

When I first married my husband, who is a coach, he told me that if coaching ever got to be too much for me to handle, to tell him. I wasn't quite sure what he meant at the time, but I know all too well now. Coaching a sport is more than a nine-to-five job. And it is certainly more than just winning. My husband sometimes leaves at seven in the morning and doesn't return until late that night during basketball season.

A coach is a friend: I've seen my husband offer a former basketball player a place to stay because things weren't so good at home.

A coach is not judgmental: After being kicked off another team sport for misconduct, a young man came to my husband very down on himself for his mistake. My husband convinced him to come out for the basketball team. Even though he was on probation, he was eligible to come to practice until the probation was lifted. Then he would be able to play on the team the remainder of the season. The young man did so and proved himself worthy of this trust.

I'm proud to say that this young man is now serving our country. Each visit home from the army he is sure to stop by and give his old coach a hug.

A coach is sharing: I've seen my husband reach into his own pocket and pay for a player's way to basketball camp and tell him simply ... "pay me back when you can."

A coach is a role model: My husband will not drink because he tells his players not to. "What's good for them is good for me."

A coach is loyal: Last year, when most of his coaching peers were being fired, my husband was asked to put his application in at one of the neighboring schools. The superintendent of this school assured him of the job. He declined, saying he felt an obligation to the Chaffee School. Isn't it ironic how loyalty can be so one-sided?

A coach shares: When my husband was recently fired from his position as head basketball coach at Chaffee High School, he awoke early the next morning and dressed to leave. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and asked him where he was going so early on a Saturday morning. He went on to tell me that he was on his way to open the gym for the Youth Basketball League. Puzzled, I said, "Not many men or women would give up a Saturday and volunteer their time after being fired yesterday with so little explanation."

With a stern look, he replied, "I'm not doing this for the school board, I'm doing it for the kids."

I am a basketball coach's wife who is proud of him!

Teal Mangels

Oran