Letters To The Editor

Boys became men under Frazier

I would like to thank coach Bill Frazier for teaching me to be a man - long before I wanted to act like one and long after my parents had begged me to become one. I would also like to thank him for all those wonderful memories and moments that help me remain a kid forever.

Bill Frazier was my mentor and my tormentor - and I thank him, deeply, for being both. He was my mentor when I used my God-given talents to make something happen on the football and baseball fields. And he was my tormentor when I failed to live up to expectations.

What Coach Frazier wound up being was our surrogate father. When we failed to perform, he ordered us to get up, dust ourselves off and continue. Sometimes we didn’t want to do that. Other times we were eager for the second or third, or even fourth chance. And we always got it. With Bill Frazier, it was never too late to become or to try to become a man as long as you were willing to try.

The lessons we learned butting heads or batting baseballs all those years ago have served most of us very well.

For it was Bill Frazier - The Fox (as we affectionately called him) - who helped get us moving in the right direction, with goals, challenges and a lot of tough love. The tough love mellowed over the years. So did the Fox. So did we all.

But his memory is alive and well and vivid in my mind. It helps me continue, just like it did in high school.

One of his favorite lines went like this. I’m sure he used it on many other players over the years: “McGinn,” he yelled at me after missing an easy tackle, “I’d trade you for a dirty jockstrap.” It took me years before I realized it was an honor to be chewed out by the Fox.

This was all before sensitivity training, thank goodness. Instead of discussing my feelings, he gave me his. His thoughts were vivid, candid and perfectly tuned to my performance on that play. It made me think, deeply, about not just being my best in sports, but about applying these same efforts to all aspects of life and living.

So, was the Fox picking on this poor, defenseless waif, or was he demanding a measure of a man from a boy? Well, of course, it was the latter. The lesson was etched in my mind forever.

So is Coach Frazier. Thanks, Fox, for the many lessons and the memories and, most especially, the very special brand of love you showed all of us for all those years. Jerry McGinn, Gonzaga Prep class of 1964 Spokane

Cougs, too, need tough love

We understand the excuses - location, weather, recruiting problems, boredom, scholastic ineligibility, etc., hurting WSU athletics (“Running on empty”, April 9).

Now go for the jugular, expose the incompetence that has brought it down to a second-rate system.

I’m a Cougar fan through and through, but I’m tired of your Casper Milktoast journalism. Expose everything, clean house, you have to bottom out before you rise. Make enemies, then maybe they’ll get their house in order. Ed Ellenz Spokane

Gilman truly first class

I could not agree more with the sentiments presented by Dave Trimmer (“Celebrate Gilman now,” April 6). Any recognition for Coach Gilman at this point in his battle with cancer is not indicative of pessimism towards the outcome. On the contrary, recognition at this point is and should be directed as praise and honor. I think it is an obvious choice given a chance to celebrate rather than remember.

The amount of impact Wayne has had on young adults in Spokane is immeasurable. There is no shame in doing whatever possible to acknowledge these accomplishments now, to give Coach an opportunity to enjoy his accomplishments with the rest of us.

I have been living in Seattle for the past five years and am an avid follower of prep basketball over here (in part for my continued support for Ferris - providing scouting reports when possible) and am amazed at the varying degrees of influence that are represented over here.

There are obvious societal issues with role models these days, and given the atmosphere of Seattle, with a larger “pot” of socio-economic classes, I often feel that Spokane residents lose sight of what a close-knit community they have and how lucky they are. Wayne is a perfect example of a “diamond in that rough.” In addition to the friend, players and families from Ferris I know personally, I have several friends from growing up, who although they attended other schools, have considerable amount of respect for Coach Gilman. This appreciation and respect is much harder to find and come by in Seattle. Not that it does not exist, but it is often overlooked.

I can speak from experience, no matter the circumstance - I have worked with, been coached by, and been taught by Wayne. He is one of the most influencing individuals I have ever met. His accomplishments speak for themselves, and unfortunately our society has been conditioned to mourn terminal disease, and recognize those who are lost afterwards. I think now is such a great opportunity to thank Wayne, and reward him with the appreciation he deserves, so we can enjoy and share it with him together, instead of wishing he were here someday to remember.

Of course we are all praying for him in his battle, but I will feel much better knowing that he understands how I feel and appreciate him for all he has done to influence my life. Chris Sheeks Seattle

Heart-felt appreciation

I don’t know Wayne Gilman. My kids go to North Central and besides Shadle, Ferris is probably the last school I’d root for. But your article (“Celebrate Gilman now”, April 6) was extremely well-written and decidedly heart-felt. Well done. Gary Meisen-Vehrs Spokane