Ted L. Hanks
Salem
During the time UTEP, New Mexico and Utah were deservingly beating the Cougars on the football field, the BYU coach was appearing in an advertisement on Channel 5 extolling the program and promoting ticket sales to same. In that promotion, he makes the statement and leaves the inference that his principle job is to win, and to fulfill it he has to be hard on his guys.
I'm not what you'd call a 'die hard' BYU sports fan, but the sporting events are enjoyable. It's exhilarating when they win, and it is obvious that if a coach can't win he won't survive. However, it is my feelings that sports, like celebrities, as great as they may be, are not as important as integrity and heroes; that BYU's destiny is not on the turf or the hardwoods but lies in the character of its students and staff.
For those who want to give sports a greater glory, consider John Wooden: the winningest coach in collegiate basketball history, who was himself an all-American player at Purdue University. There in 1932 he was named college basketball 'Player of the Year.' Years later he became coach at UCLA where his teams won ten NCAA championships. In the longest of winning streaks, those under his stewardship responded by winning 88 consecutive games; overall they had 885 wins against 203 loses for a fantastic winning category of 81.3 percent
During the time of these amazing accomplishments, one springtime a fan asked him if he felt the past season had been successful.
The calibre of this gentleman's character, where he placed the emphasis, was evident in his heartfelt reply: 'I can't tell yet. It hasn't been 15 years.'
It hadn't been 15 years when I was at a mortuary with coach Stan Watts when he came abreast of one of his former basketball players who had lost a young daughter. As they met and embraced, I saw and didn't need to hear their touching exchange . . . the view will ever linger.
Nowadays the TV camera goes everywhere. It's shutter never blinks. In the comfort and sanctuary of our home I see things which are not in keeping with the ever-growing pride and gratefulness I have for my alma mater.