Sports letters: A brother’s tribute

My brother Dan (Vassar) demanded his athletes to strive to exceed. Coaches who have athletes competing at any level know you cannot motivate them to give their best by throwing flowers at them. Dan was no different. He was a hard taskmaster. He would say, “I don’t want to be their friend or sidekick, I am their coach.”

He would tell his elite athletes, “Do what I tell you to do, when I tell you to do it. Don’t ask why, just do it. If you cannot accept those conditions, then find another coach.”

He gained their trust in him and his techniques by their success in the ring. If he told them they were going to be matched with Mike Tyson, any one of them would step through the ropes. His belief was boxers are composed of 80 percent conditioning, 10 percent skill and 10 percent desire. Without conditioning, skill and desire alone will not achieve success at any level of boxing. He provided the techniques for conditioning and skill. It was up to the individual to desire winning.

He was gentle with young people and mentored them with encouragement and praise, but once they became adept, it was on. Workouts became considerably tougher.

Sherman Vassar

Spokane