Last week, I left the kids with Chad's parents' (thank you, Brad and Carol, and Chad!) and made a fast trip to Ephrata/Seattle to see my dad inducted into the WIAA (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association) Hall of Fame. My dad coached baseball (and basketball at times) for 36 years in Ephrata and won 8 state championships, multiple district and regional championships, and is THE the winningest baseball coach in Washington. My dad was (and still is) an excellent coach who modeled integrity and character on and off the field. As one of my friends said, you'd never know by just meeting my dad that he is such a successful coach. He's the type of guy who is humble, hard-working, and doesn't talk about himself. He just puts his head down and gets the job done. Now, because he coached so successfully for so many years in Ephrata, everyone in town knows about him--he had over 50 people come to see him receive this honor. Some of the other honorees in past years: John Stockton and Mark Rypian. He's in good company. Since my dad won't brag about himself, I thought I'd do the bragging for him.
All three of us kids were able to make the trip. Just like old times, we scrunched in the backseat of my parents' car for the ride to Seattle. We just didn't fight as much as we used to. At one point in the ride, we did try to fight with each other, just for my parents' sake, but it was too much work to keep it up. It only took us 20+ years to get to that point.
My dad receiving his award. Another one of his gifts is public speaking--he had everyone laughing during his whole speech.
Four players from the 1999 State Championship--Dad got to coach Bryan's team to 1st place that year.
My Aunt Dianne and Uncle Bob even came up from Scottsdale for the occasion.
We're all so proud of you, Dad! It should be noted that my mom has been so supportive of my dad throughout his career. She did a great job of keeping things going around the home-front while my dad coached late nights. (As a mother of young children now, I can appreciate all she did!) At one point, he was coaching two sports, in the role of athletic director, and teaching. Busy days for him and my mom. Behind every great coach is a great and supportive wife!
2 comments:
Yeah! Big Dave! Mom brought home the newspaper article in the Grant County Journal and I read it - very special - We love Uncle Dave and your whole fam!
wow! what an accomplishment. i liked getting to read about your dad! :) and, i love the pic of you guys in the backseat. ;)
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