Letters To The Editor
Bafus has impacted many lives
The article on Colfax basketball coach Bob Bafus (Jan. 9) included fond memories of former managers, players and friends. However, it only scratched the surface of the impact this great coach/teacher has had on many lives. Unity, dedication and tradition are the principles he coaches with and instills in players and students.
He is a tremendous motivator and has the self-confidence to lead the Bulldogs cheers at pep rallies creating school spirit and unity. His booming voice and charismatic personality still keep hopeful grade-school kids silent and in awe while he teaches basketball fundamentals during Saturday morning clinics.
He loves to tease players and students in a kind-hearted manner as a way of recognizing them, making them feel like part of the team/school. Often, it is the quite/shy student he seeks out to include in class discussions. He challenges many students’ opinions to see their reactions; call it a test for the real world.
Bafus has a saying: “It only takes a little more to go first class.” His teams wear blue blazers, get the mandatory basketball haircut and walk by the trophy cases each day on the way to the gym - a few reminders of the Bulldog Tradition he has instilled. “First class” always includes conduct on and off the court - win or lose. These qualities are on one’s players and students learn from him.
“Coach B” believes in setting a series of goals with his players. Setting the goals is the easy part. Attaining them is when he asks for the dedication, sacrifices and 110-percent effort from each player to improve the team. Coach B practices what he preaches. Only his wife, Ruth, knows the number of nights spent preparing scouting reports and developing a plan for the next game.
It’s difficult to pinpoint the single characteristic that has enabled him to impact so many lives … all we know is he has!
Even after students/players have graduated he has written encouraging letters and made phone calls to renew their confidence or lift their spirits. A former player recently said, “one thing I learned from Coach B was win or lose, the sun will always come up tomorrow.”
And, yes, coach Bafus is superstitious, which is only one part of this very special man. He has truly touched the lives of many students and athletes. Thanks Coach B, from former players. Craig Hatley, Mark Johnson, Tim Bruya Colfax
Priorities don’t include wildlife
We were treated to the usual amusement from Rich Landers’ column (Jan. 16, “It boils down to a lack of caring.”) With his usual blind-leading-the-blind methods, he asked readers to comment on the public’s commitment to wildlife.
Of course, what he was after, was negative testimony to provide evidence that supports his pre-conceived agenda. That is, the public doesn’t care. This implies that only Rich and his ilk care.
Landers could not have been more wrong. It’s not that we don’t care, it’s just that we have our priorities straight. Believe it or not, Rich, our jobs and our commitment to providing for our families far outweigh any consideration for wildlife.
In the article, it was said there is “frustration with a public that offers little financial support” to wildlife. The real frustration is with wildlife bureaucrats who would make such a naive statement. What is implied here, is that we aren’t taxed enough. In typical liberal fashion, the conclusion is to throw more money at the problem.
As the working public, providing every penny to these guys, we don’t have time to participate full time in any research that would show us the reality of the situation. That’s why we’ve hired the “experts.”
All we can hope for is for them to tell the truth. When we are told it’s our fault, we tend to consider the source and discount it.
There was enough money when it left our pockets. We have to wonder if the top-heavy, bloated bureaucracies have anything to do with it. Of course, this would never be considered by Landers and his kind.
We would like to discuss this further, Rich, but we have to get back to work. Michael Wiman Spokane
Sonner death leaves void in boxing
Along with the recent death of Joey August, Spokane lost another outstanding boxing trainer with the death of Kaley Sonner.
Kaley was not known for diplomacy, but was very devoted to the sport of boxing and to the coaching of many kids in the Spokane area.
For many years, Kaley’s garage served as a boxing gym and it was well-known that when one of Sonner’s boxers entered the ring, he was in top physical condition.
Throughout Kaley Sonner’s coaching career, he gave hundreds of kids a place to be, other than a street corner.
He always had room for one more in his garage. Bob Kline Spokane
Hey, knock it off you big zeroes!
Time out! Flag that play! And that one … and that one … and that one!
What happened to sportsmanship? It’s now gone from the game … and I for one think it’s a shame!
Our kids often look up to these athletic-type heroes, but their behavior and actions prove they’re just muscular zeroes.
Be it basket, or foot or even baseball, their lack of good manners is affecting us all.
And maybe some day if we make enough noise, the owners will tell them, “Hey, knock it off boys.”
Because what they don’t realize is without all us fans, they’d be all alone playing to big empty stands! Betsy Conrath Spokane