[New] Coach’s wisdom extended beyond sidelines

from Powhatan Today –12/21/2022

[New] An extra measure of good cheer

JIM RIDOLPHI Contributing Columnist

Someone leaves this planet every second of the day, and each of those deaths is a tragedy for the people who loved them. As I get older, it seems there are more sad days where someone associated with my generation takes the final ride. Even more frightening is the fact that many of them are our childhood heroes or favorite icons.

Fortunately, most of us will enjoy the upcoming holiday season without the grief and dismay of losing a loved one, and the next few weeks will be spent with special moments with the people we love the most.

Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach’s family won’t be one of those happy families celebrating this holiday season after he passed last week after suffering a massive heart attack. They will be among those previously referenced few who will spend the coming days remembering and missing Mike, and they won’t be alone.

Even avid college football fans may not be acquainted with Leach as his teams never won a national championship or even captured a conference title. But, to those who are familiar with his antics, Leach was a winner who mentored hundreds of successful individuals who played for him and had thousands more who admired his efforts.

I began following Leach, 61, when he coached at Texas Tech and was first introduced to his dry wit and humorous approach to some of life’s smallest problems.

The sultry coach was never timid about offering his opinion on almost anything.

For example, in a post-game report, a reporter asked Leach about his thoughts on Halloween candy.

He anxiously answered, “I think candy corn is awful. You know, it’s like fruitcake. There’s a reason they serve fruitcake once a year, because it’s awful. There’s a reason they only serve mint julips once a year, because they’re awful. And there’s a reason they only serve candy corn once a year, because it’s awful. Now that does beg the question why they serve it at all, but, anyway, that’s my opinion.”

He freely opined about everything from the existence of Big Foot to a special brand of marital advice (he endorsed eloping), and never lacked a snappy response to reporters’ questions.

When one asked Leach the overused and useless question regarding how he would like to be remembered in his obituary, Leach’s answer was predictable.

“Well that’s their problem ... what do I care, I’m dead.”

You could have easily been fooled by the down home, everyman’s approach Leach employed, but don’t let the simple approach to life’s complexities fool you.

Leach was no dummy. He held a master’s degree and graduated law school before he arrived on the sideline as a coach.

But, it was his refreshing approach to the game that made him a fan favorite. Leach knew that winning wasn’t everything and prioritized producing responsible young adults with a reasonable chance of winning in the most important game — life.

Along the way, he gained a reputation as an offensive genius, credited with transforming college football with the Air Raid offense.

The loss to the college football world is immense, and his irreverent personality is probably irreplaceable. But, my thoughts are focused on his family who are suffering through an unimaginable loss at the most difficult time of year.

I can relate to their grief, and that of the thousands of Americans who suffer loss at this celebratory time of year. I lost my father on Christmas Eve, 1960, and the season has never been quite the same, but now has become an appropriate time to remember lives lost and appreciate the blessings they bestowed on us.

Above all others, Leach’s family know the influence Leach had on thousands of young lives and the love and respect he displayed for them. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.

For the rest of us, Leach’s death reminds us that life is fleeting and tomorrow is never guaranteed.

I’ll leave you with a tidbit of Leach’s philosophy, an appropriate reminder of how he lived and enjoyed his too short time on earth.

“Well, you’re going to be dead in a hundred years anyway, so live dangerously.”

We’ve got people serving today. I thought the best part of that was the vice admiral, for those who were having to serve and couldn’t go home, he wished them an extra amount of cheer,” Steve said.

I concur. So to the families of service members far from home this holiday season and to those men and women protecting us at home and abroad, “an extra measure of good cheer — and thanks.”

Laura mcFarland may be reached at Lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com.

Letters To The Editor

Policy needs to have specificity

Dear Editor, In a recent call with the Powhatan County School Board (PCSB) Superintendent she was kind enough to present her rationale for advancing generally worded polices whose “strength,” she contends, are ensured by reference to both the published county curriculum and the standards issued by VDOE.

While I appreciate her rationale for offering more generally worded polices, there are a few issues that may result when policies are constructed in that manner. In retrospect, and with time to digest her position, a few concerns come to mind that argue against the School Board not taking this opportunity to be much more specific in the guidance given to school staff.

1. Unfortunately, a troubling variable over which the Board has no control is consistency of the guidance coming from the VDOE. Guidance which can and will change based on who occupies the Governor’s mansion or which party claims a General Assembly majority.

QUESTION: How does the PCSB propose combating the shifting sands defining our elected officials and the legislation passed by the General Assembly?

specific examples of what is and what’s not acceptable those seeking change will be forced to debate and publicly declare their positions for all to see. An open airing would be preferable and may well result in retention of some of the original specifics.

3. We all need structure and, in that vein, specificity more fairly and effectively orders behavior and provides a well-defined and much needed set of guardrails for the “traveler.”

The boundaries those guardrails establish can be four lanes wide and therein be respectful of everyone’s liberties, but they must be put in place to prevent harm to the traveler and his/her passengers caused by those who always seem to delight in going off-road. Invariably some will!

QUESTION: How exactly will the PCSB propose fleshing out the policies such that a very, very clear understanding is given to all those in the classroom as well as all those who the Board must depend to monitor in-class behavior?

As the Board considers this point please don’t forget the parents, many of whom are unfamiliar with the specifics of guidance given by the VDOE nor with the Powhatan School’s curriculum standards. The parents really need specifics, examples of what’s prohibited and not broadly-worded polices.

From A2

TUESDAY, DEC. 27

The new bridge of reason aa meeting is held at 7 p.m. every Tuesday at Powhatan mennonite church, 3549 Old buckingham road, Powhatan. It is an open, decision and literature meeting for Powhatan, Goochland, and cumberland counties. aa meets at 8 p.m. every Tuesday at st Luke’s episcopal church on Huguenot Trail.

Upcoming

Girl scout Troop 3029 is helping the Huguenot Volunteer Fire department achieve a long-held goal of building a memorial to honor the victims of the terrorist attacks of sept. 11, 2001 at the station. The Girl scouts are selling 411 bricks inscribed with the name, rank and company of a firefighter, law enforcement officer or paramedic killed during the attacks. a donation of $23 will cover the cost of one inscribed brick in honor of a first responder. To purchase a brick, visit www.bricksrus.com/donorsite/memorial911. checks payable to Troop 3029 may also be mailed to Laura baltz at 1510 Holly Hills road, Powhatan, Va 23139. For more information, contact baltz at 804-467-4313 or Ljbal65@aol.com.

Powhatan state Park will hold a ranger-led hike of Pine Trail promptly at 10 a.m. on d ec. 31. Would you like to have the 8460 times-dispatch Blvd. Mechanicsville, Va 23116 Phone – (804) 746-1235 toll free – (877) 888-0449 Fax – (804) 344-8746 Publisher Joy Monopoli chance to explore all of the trails in Powhatan state Park and meet new people? If so, you may enjoy our hiking series. each month we will hike a different trail in the park and learn about local history and wildlife. Pre-register by calling the park office at 804-598-7148, or by email at powhatan@dcr.virginia.gov. Include “Hiking series” in the subject line and specify date(s), or alternates in the event a particular hike is fully booked. be sure to wear comfortable, closed toed shoes and to bring plenty of water. children are welcome, but be aware that some hikes may exceed 4 miles and require navigating uneven terrain in all weather conditions. Pre-registration required due to group size limitations. 2. Along those same lines, superintendents come and go, as do school board members for that matter. Today’s resolve can vanish quickly and without specificity a serious risk comes as downstream interpretation and application will invariably dilute all of today’s good intentions.

QUESTION: How will the PCSB instill more permanency to policies pertaining to what’s presented during inclass lectures?

Polices can be changed, but when accompanied with

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Too often overly-generalized policies generate questions and with that confusion as answers are offered. Specificity and clearly calling out what’s acceptable in the classroom is preferred. I suspect the folks in surrounding counties regret not calling out examples of behavior their citizens are now forced to contend at great cost to their children, the parents and staff alike. Let’s not allow such to occur in Powhatan.

Robert Powers Powhatan

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