A Continuing Story by Greg Shepard
by Greg Shepard "Yes sir, " everyone echoed in unison. "What a great day this has been. We got off to a great start. Thanks men,” said Travis, getting up and walking toward the door.
Quest for Greatness is based on true stories. Coach Travis "Hey TJ, who's your barber anyway? He missed a spot Drake is in his first day as the new head football coach at in the back,” chuckled Travis, knowing full well about this Halmilton High School. He is meeting with the principal, teenage hairstyle. Everybody laughed, even T].
“Now drive safely. See you tomorrow."
He has established the dream of winning a state cham- Travis shook each hand as he walked the four of them pionship at an exciting motivational first meeting. out to their car. Travis stretched his big arms, arched his The other major character is Rick Steadman who is a junior at Hamilton. It is November and he wishes he had back and yawned in the brisk night air as he watched gone out for football. A lot of negative things are happening in Rick's life. He comes froma one parent family with a dad who also has problems. Rick is faltering in school and is beginning to submit to peer pressures with drinking problems. He lacks direction and is beginning to not care anymore.
Buddy's old car head down the street. Travis glanced down at his watch. "Oops, hope it's not too late. I got to call Diana and the kids," thought Travis out loud as he ran back into the house and quickly dialed his number. He was hoping Diana would answer the phone.
“Hi honey. I miss you. How are things?” They talked for a few minutes and then Travis said, "Let me speak to the However, Rick now has had two good things appear in his life. First is his girlfriend Becky and second is Coach kids.” Travis spoke to his children: first Andrea, then Matt, and finally Shauna. Travis felt it was important to tell his Drake. In the first meeting, Rick did way more than he thought he could do and help establish the dream by doing children that he loved them every night.
395 pounds on the box squat for 14 reps! agent looking fora house. I sure hope we can get settled in “Diana honey, I can't wait until you get here. I've gotan soon.” "So do I, Travis," Diana answered. "How'd it go today?” "Wonderful, just wonderful. These kids are just great,” related Travis. They talked for nearly 30 minutes as Travis recounted the excitement of the team meeting and was “How ‘bout this guy with the long hair?" brought up-to-date on Diana's day, and then they ex- TJ answered, "Coach, he's a loner. Bart gets into fights changed, "I love you's" and said good night. and is in trouble all the time. Nobody wants to mess with him." “Tell you what. Let me take him,” offered Travis.
An hour later, twenty-two prospects had been identified as potential players. Coach Drake was very, very pleased. However, the direction of the converstation abruptly when Coach Drake asked, "What's the drinking and drugs like at Hamilton? Is it a big problem?" Buddy had always had a hard time hiding things. He blushed slightly. All four boys dropped their eyes. Their uneasiness was obvious. One of Coach Drake's abilities was to help people through uneasy moments. He looked directly at them as he said in a non-threatening tone, "Men, this is your special year. Your leadership is vitally important in making our dreama reality.
Why work your butts off by running, stretching, lifting, and eating properly to reach your physical potential if you turn around and tear your body down by getting drunk or stoned all the time. It just doesn't make sense. If you work together and stick together, you can be a great influence for good among your friends. You know what's right, so I'm not going to lay out a bunch of rules. Just remember that your success rests a lot more on your shoulders than on mine."
Coach Drake turned on the late evening news as he prepared his "Do It" list. He fell exhausted in the E-Z chair and was soon asleep. The television stayed on all night. "Multiplying fractions is easy Billy,” instructed Rick to his younger brother. “All you gotta do is multiply the top numbers and then multiply the bottom numbers. So, twothirds times three-fourths is six-twelfths." Rick demonstrated the procedure on paper and then asked Billy, "Can six-twelfths be reduced?" Billy looked up at his big brother, and in a not-too-sure voice stammered, "Is it one-half?" "Right on, Billy. Hey, you know someday you're going to be a genius.” Billy just glowed. He had always idolized Rick.
He sensed that Rick was somehow different tonight — more at ease with himself. "Hey Bobby and Sharon, it's bedtime for you two. Hurry up and brush your teeth," called Rick to them as they watched television. "Ricky," Sharon said with a pleading voice, "Can you read us a story?” "We'll see kids, how fast can you get ready for bed?"
Fix-up the new weight room. lot to do; but he was confident that if he stuck to his "Do It” list, he'd get it done challenged Rick. in time.
Mr. Steadman was watching television with Bobby and Sharon. He gave them a hug as they left to put on their pajamas.
Coach Drake left notes in the teachers’ mail boxes for Coaches Tanselli, McMasters, Littlewood, and Myers. He would see Tim Miller in the gym. Travis had only ten “Rick, can you come in here for a minute?" Mr. Steadman said. Rick came in and sat down ina where Mr. Steadman was lying. Rick was relieved that his father hadn't had anything to drink yet. He was a completely different person when he wasn't drinking. "Rick, thanks for looking after the kids," said Mr. Steadman. "I've been thinking about the other night. I said some things I shouldn't have said.” "Dad, it was partly my fault. I acted like a real jerk. Everything was sort of, like, well, all coming down on me at once,”
apologized Rick. "[know the feeling. Are things getting any better?” Mr. Steadman questioned. "They sure are, Dad. I even signed up for football, and Ithink we're going to win next season. Becky and [are back together. She's helping me with my school work. Hey, how's this. All my assignments are done!" exclaimed Rick excitedly. Mr. Steadman's eyes flickered as he smiled slightly and whispered, “That's great Rick,” and as he thought about how much better he felt about himself and about Rick, he slowly fell asleep. minutes before Ist period as he made his way to the attendance ofÏce. "Could you tell me what period the student body ofÏcers and cheerleaders meet?” asked Coach Drake.
"They meet first period in room 32.”
Coach Drake said thank you and walked briskly down the hall hoping to find Becky. “Hi men!" Travis greeted a group of players standing in the hall. "You too Brad." Travis looked right at Brad and grinned as he passed out the fundraising info. Everyone laughed. It was Travis' little joke. From past experience, he knew that it would always bring a laugh and that the players would take it the right way. Each time he'd pick out a different player because he knew they liked to be singled out.
“Hello, Miss Johnson, I'm Travis Drake the new football coach. How goes the battle?” “Well just fine. I'm glad to meet you coach. How can I help you?"
“L understand you're in charge of the Student Body OfÏcers and the Cheerleaders.” “Yes "...And the Papa Bear said, 'Who's been sleeping inmy bed?’ Rick closed the book as both Sharon and Bobby were fast asleep. Rick gazed out his window; and as he looked up at the wintry stars, he quietly smiled.
Iam,” responded Miss Johnson.
“Do you have Becky this period?” “Sure do! You mean Becky Wilson I assume. She should be here any minute.” Travis smiled politely. "Thanks, I wanted to talk to Becky, the Cheerleaders, and the other student body ofÏ- Chapter 12 The Assistants "Glory be," shouted Mr. Maddox as he fumbled for his keys. At least twenty guys were already waiting for Mr. Maddox - twenty minutes before first period. "What brings you here so early in the morning?" Brent, who was first in line, quickly answered, "Coach Drake told us to come down here to sign up for weight training.”
Maddox crossed his arms and looked at everyone standing in line. "Does that go for everyone?” Everyone nodded afÏrmatively. “Well glory be,” Mr. Maddox snarled, yet still managing tobe inoffensive. "Well, all right, don't just stand there boy, come on in’ let's get you signed up.” The copy machine was first on Coach Drake's "Do It" cers about being in our Lift-A-Thon.” “Your Lift-A-What?" asked Miss Johnson.
“A Lift-A-Thon," laughed Coach Drake, "It'sa great way to make money, and it can be a lot of fun for the students. Here's how it works." Students were filing into the classroom by now, including Becky Wilson. Travis sort of spoke to Miss Johnson and to the class at the same time. “You see we have a noble cause. We want to have a larger weight room so that all our students have the opportunity to reach their potential. The superintendent has given us ten thousand dollars, but we need to raise another ten. And guess what? We've got an unbelievable weight room already down at the lower level. We've already started working on it. football players can show you the proper way to bench press.
When you cheerleaders go to people's doors to get pledges for the number of pounds youlift, you'll blow their minds. First of all, most people don't think girls can lift list. He ran several hundred copies of the Lift-A-Thon weights, which is ridiculous. Therefore, most people will information. He checked off "Lift-A-Thon Info" on his "Do give you more money per pound than they will give our It" list. Still on his "Do It" list were the following items:
Talk to all possible assistant coaches. Distribute Lift-A-Thon information.
Order the weight room equipment.
Continue recruiting players. football players. If someone gives you fifty cents a pound and you bench press only 50 pounds you earned twenty five dollars for Hamilton High's new weight room. “Tf you get a hold of your aunts, uncles, grandparents and other relatives, we can really raise a lot of money. The great desire to be a varsity assistant but wanted to remain the head sophomore football coach. Travis tentatively Lift-A-Thon is in two weeks in the gym. You can plan on it agreed. being fun with lots of food and a danceafterwards. What do Coach Drake stressed to Lou that being positive was you day? I've got your pledge forms right here.
Raise your imperative and that making football fun was critical in keeping the players in the program. In the past, too many little fun to boot."
Nearly every hand went up. Even Miss Johnson said she'd do it. Travis thanked everyone and then dashed off to the players had dropped out. He did not want to point fingers or place blame. He just wanted to avoid future dropouts from the program. They both agreed that a coach could be lower level. He was hoping two or three kids might be tough and strict, yet still be positive and have fun. There waiting for him. was a fine line to be sure, but it was critical to maintain it Travis was surprised. Nine kids were already waiting for him by the new weight room. He was starting to put the names to faces as he recognized Chad, Wes, and Dave. nonetheless.
Overall, Travis felt very fortunate to have Lou Tanselli as an assistant.
Travis got out of his chair still thinking about the day's "Would you three go to the janitor and get some mops, events. He was ready for a little break as he made his way Pine Sol, and pails of hot water. We've got to clean this down the hall to get a Diet-Pepsi. He made a mental note place,” directed Coach Drake. He turned to the other boys. to talk to the administration about installing a fruit-juice “Would you three take my keys and bring down our one machine. He smiled as he thought about how well Tom bench, the squat rack, and all the weights you can find.
Miller was going to fit in. He was young and inexperi- Would you other three get some dust pans and brooms.” enced, but he was positive and enthusiastic. Right now And so they worked throughout the day. The new those traits were important. The position that Tom was weight room was cleaned, cleared, and organized. The best suited for was obvious to Travis. It was the offensive existing equipment was in place for the Lift-A-Thon. Durline. If everything worked out, he would havea ing the day, the fundraising program had been explained to However, that would depend a lot on John Myers. Travis great staff. forty-three players.
One of the boys said his father might had felt that talking over dinner about this matter with donate some paint. Travis made a note to check that out John would be more productive. They were going toa ASAP. restaurant at 6:30 p.m. So John's roleas anassistant was still Coach Drake crossed his feet on his new desk and tilted uncertain. Brian McMasters wasa different story. his chair back slightly. He reflected on the day's events as Brian McMasters wasa feisty little guy. He stood only he went over his "Do It" list. He was quite pleased as he five feet five. Brian had played some small-college ball and thought about #3 — order weight equipment.
He had called had been coaching at Hamilton for the past five years. several compaines, and Travis felt he had negotiated a Travis hoped he could channel him in the right direction. good deal on the new weight equipment. He had ordered Brian was a fierce competitor and hated in the worst way four new squat racks, four olympic benches, two leg curl to lose. Travis had told Brian that that trait was very good. and extension machines, one hip-sled, eight plate holders, However, as the conversation progressed, Travis pertwelve 310-pound Olympic sets with collars, two dumbbell ceived five years of losing had taken its toll.
Brian had felt racks, dumbbells from ten to one hundred pounds in five frustrated. And being an assistant coach, he had felt limited pound increments, two two-man dip stations, a plateas to what he could do to help Hamilton win. Brian admitloaded lat press, a dozen weight belts, three dip belts, four ted that he probable took out his frustrations on the playneck harnesses, two chalk bins, a case of chalk, and heavy ers. But, Brian also said that he felt a new surge of life after rubber, weight-room flooring to cover 3200 square feet. He chuckled to himself as he thought about how he the football meeting and that he really wanted to be part of the new program — a winning program.
talked the equipment company into shipping everything Travis carried a white, round pin with the word freight-free. Travis was very pleased. The bill came to just "PRIDE" printed in red in the middle. He had given it to under twenty thousand dollars, and they promised deliv- Brian and instructed him to wear it every day. The pin was ery before Christmas. "Now all] have to do," mused Travis, to symbolize a new way of thinking, of being positive, and "is raise enough money to pay for it.” of looking at each prospective player. Travis had been very As Coach Drake looked at #1 on his "Do It" list, he pleased as Brian put the pin on his shirt immediately. doodled on his note pad.
He pondered his conversations Travis didn't mind Brian being short; in fact, he thought his with each assistant coach. He felt good that everyone but size was anasset. Brian must have had great skills and must Jerry Littlewood had come to the weight room to talk. Now have overcomea lot of obstacles to play even small-college the problem was to find a niche for everyone. A niche each ball. Hopefully, he could instruct the defensive backs in the would enjoy and where each could contribute to the total same way. Brian had seemed all fired up at working with program in the best possible way. the defense.
Lou Tanselli had been very supportive and cooperative.
Coach Tanselli had a fairly competitive track program, and Travis pledged his support to the track program. Travis had always wanted his football players to go out for either baseball or track. He felt that they helped develop his As Travis came back into the new weight room, he was quite surprised. Jerry Littkewood was waiting for him. "Coach Drake," said Jerry in a soft vioce, "I'm Jerry Littlewood." "Hello Jerry. How are you doing?” athletes in a variety of ways. Coach Tanselli did not havea More Next Issue!
From BFS Magazine — March/April 1988. Part of the BFS Magazine Archive (1980–2014).
