As you read these messages, you not only see a pattern of Bill’s influence in our lives, but the mark that he has left on all of us that we, too, will to pass on to others. We trusted him, loved him, and appreciated him as a father. As I read Tyson’s and Brock’s blogs, I too had many memories rush through my mind. I can’t help but think of one that stands out the most to me. Tyson mentioned, “His players loved him so much they refused to let him down.” We all know my junior year I was somewhat off a “hot head” on the soccer field and as we played in the quarter-finals my junior year I received a red card. The next day, I found out that I would not only miss the semi-finals, but would have to sit out the state championship as well. This was devastating news to a young boy who had played his whole life to get to this point. I remember telling you guys that day in practice and fighting back my emotion. As the team started its warm-up run, I lost it. Bill gave me his usual fatherly hug, but this time I was sobbing in his shoulder. No one could console me, not my family, friends, or teammates. As he held me in his arms that day, I let it all out. Our relationship with Coach is one that is hard to describe in words. He was an amazing man. As you read these thoughts, you realize he didn’t just coach a soccer team, he showed us our potential in life and played a major role in our development into who are today (and we all have turned out pretty dang good, if you don’t mind me saying so). That week, Bill spent countless hours with me talking to state officials and trying to get them to take back one of my reds cards which would allow me to play in the state championship. I would have given anything to play in that game, but that week has had a lasting influence on my life. We weren’t just a team that year, we truly were a family and that was the turn-around. If my memory serves me correctly, the year before we were 4-10 and that year we went 17-3. That is unheard of! But as mentioned before, we played for each other and for our Coach, the one we all admired. That week, he had 27 other players to prepare for the biggest game of our lives; yet, it seemed to me that I was his only worry. I take a lot from that personal experience and have tried to demonstrate those same characteristics that Coach showed to me that week. I will never forget the kind of man he was and the life he led.
My senior year, our relationship grew and I think I saw Bill in the same light that a few of you older players saw him in. I remember one day after practice he called me aside, as he had done many times, to talk about the team and the direction it was going. He asked me, ”Jake what does the team need; what will help this team reach is full potential?” I hesitated and then started to ramble on about something that both of us knew wasn’t the answer he was looking for. He looked me in the eyes and with tears swelling up in them he said, “They need you to lead them.” Bill’s loyalty and trust allowed us to grow and become better people both on and off the field. That year, we studied film together, we went to lunch together and he became a close friend of mine. At times, we would even have long conversations about the church, but at the time he would act as if he was not interested. I don’t remember one missionary farewell where I didn’t see Bill in the congregation. He supported us in all of our activities not just in soccer.
As I returned from my mission, I had the opportunity to coach Bonneville’s soccer team with him his last year. It was then that I noticed something different about Bill. He was the same amazing man that many of us had known for the past 10 years, but there was something more. I would ask him about it and he would dismiss it and say that nothing had changed. Until one day, when he said he had to leave practice early and I said, “Just wait one second Coach, where do you think you are going?” I continued to tease him asking what was more important than soccer? As he looked at me with tears in his eyes he said, “Brother Jake, I am receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood.” His response was typical Bill, always quite humble about his own life, never wanting to flaunt his own accomplishments. The decisions he made later in his life will not have only affected his mortal life, but will carry on with him through all eternity. Coach, we love you; you were the best example a group of high school kids could have asked for and you continue to be that example through the memories you have left engraved in our hearts.
No comments:
Post a Comment