West Virginia Wrestling

WEST VIRGINIA MAT THOUGHTS

by Dr. Bill Welker

... on the Dedication of the Coach

In this day and age, as salaries and costs keep rising, would you believe that a person could still work for $1.75 an hour? Well, it's true and he's a college graduate, often with a master's degree. Further, he's vulnerable to criticism and ridicule. If you haven't already guessed this gentleman's identity, reflect upon the following poem:

THE COACH

THERE'S SOMEONE WHO GIVES SO MUCH YOU'VE GOT TO RESPECT,
HE FACES THE CHALLENGE WITH NARY A REGRET,
WHEN RIDING THE CREST, FANS PRAISE HIM AND CHEER,
BUT IF THE TEAM LOSES, CRUEL TAUNTS HE WILL HEAR.

COUNTLESS HOURS, HE, DEVOTES, IN PREPARING TO WIN,
WHILE HIS FAMILY'S AT HOME, STILL WAITING FOR HIM,
IN VICTORY, CROWDS BEG FOR A SHAKE OF HIS HAND,
IN DEFEAT, HOWEVER, ALONE HE MUST STAND.

HIS PLAYERS REVERE HIM, HE KNOWS WHAT IS BEST,
THEY RENDER THEIR UTMOST WHEN PUT TO THE TEST,
NO MATTER THE OUTCOME, HE SITS BY THEIR SIDE,
FILLING EACH YOUTHFUL HEART WITH COURAGE AND PRIDE.

HE TUTORS HIS ATHLETES TO FIGHT TILL THE END,
YES, THIS IS THE COACH, A BUILDER OF MEN.

So, the next time you start complaining about your wages, remember the "coach" and his unselfish contributions to future generations.


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Updated August 10, 1997