‘You don’t have to be a sports fan to be inspired by a coach’

E-mail friend Dave the Marine forwarded me some pearls of wisdom that I thought should be passed along to you dear readers of the Tallapoosa Journal. It said that you should not waste your time on someone, who isn't worth willing to waste their time on you. It is important to remember that whatever happens, happens for a reason. Never frown, even when you are sad, becuase you never know who is falling in love with your smile. A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart. Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened. There's always going to be people that hurt you so what you have to do is keep on trusting and just be more careful about who you trust next time around. The email also stated to make yourself a better person and know who you are before you try and know someone else and expect them to know you. Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have. The favorite of the e-mail was don't try so hard, the best things come when you least expect them to. Dr. Wesley Wicker the Vice President of Development at Kennesaw State recently came to Tallapoosa and told me some things he loves about our town. He thinks that Fay McClendon's home on Bowdon Street is among the most beautiful houses he's ever seen. The good doctor also loves the barbecue from Owen's. He grew up in Decatur, Alabama known for good cue. We took a walk around town and he also loved the shops and stores on Head Avenue and how everyone waves when they pass by. Dr. Wicker has been instrumental in bringing a football program to Kennesaw State We took a road trip to Tuscaloosa for the game day experience. We learned some things. Alabama fans will get to the stadium a day or two before kick-off. Tide tailgaters, Leon, Joey, and Craig Rutheford set up their motorhome on the edge of the University of Alabama's campus. Their rolling Ritz-Carlton is larger than many people's houses. Brenda goes along to make sure no one gets seriously injured. Game day in Tuscaloosa begins at dawns early light with fans gathering on the Quad just steps from Bryant-Denny Stadium. Coach Bryant's image and likeness is everywhere. The coach's houndstooth pattern is on everything from hats, times, shirts, pom-poms, and a host of other things. Coach Bryant coached his last game in Memphis and in a few weeks passed away. I was living in Montgomery working for the flagship station for Auburn athletics. The bitter rivalry between Auburn and Alabama was suspended for a time because of the respect and love for Coach Bryant. His funeral was telecast on statewide television. Thousand and thousands lined I-20 going north to his final resting place in Birmingham. The only celebrity passings I can compare it to was the passing of Elvis in 1977 and Dale Earnhardt in 2001. If you ever have the opportunity, go the the Paul "Bear" Bryant Museum a few blocks from the campus of the University of Alabama. I had the opportunity to interview the famed coach in about 1981. He was larger than life. He had a style that no one can emulate. The voice of the Crimson Tide, Eli Gold wrote a great book about 36 young men who were influenced by the life of Paul Bryant. You don't have to be a sports fan to be inspired by the life of the coach. Joe Namath, Kenny Stabler, Gene Stallings, Barry Kraus, Marty Lyons, Jeff Rutledge and many others were successful in life because of the teaching on the field of Coach Bryant. Alabama can boast 13 national championships. 13 is a lucky number in Tuscaloosa. Georgia and Georgia Tech are both having good seasons. Paul Johnson and Mark Richt are two class acts. I always have admired coaches because some are the best teachers of life. How many of you recall Coach Hal Harris? Donald Murphy came to Tallapoosa came to us from Woodland, Alabama. Coach Bobby T. Welch not only was a great coach and educator, he became a great friend who had an early belief in a young Tallapoosa boy who did alright for himself. Coach Welch left Tallapoosa, and became dean of students at Southern Union State Junior College. We lost him several months back. He and his wife JoAnn and sons Tommy and Robert had nothing but fond memories of their years in Tallapoosa. Jimmy Austin was a no-nonsense coach on his field or in his gym. In 1968 the county schools merged and Haralson County Rebels made their debut in September of that year. Coach Buddy Taylor came to our town from Talledega and he single-handedly made the people in our county to believe in themselves. He was an Ole Miss graduate and that is why we became the Rebels. Assistant coaches Paul Dunn and Frankie Bell were both tough as nails who knew the game of football. I had American History in high school taught by Coach Bell who was a standout on the gridiron at Mississippi State. I haven't seen him since the early '70s and last time I saw him he was 12 feet tall and would snack on granite. Coach Dunn was a tremendously likeable fellow who athletes and non athletes like myself looked up to. After I graduated Ken Upton came to Haralson County High School from Mumford, Alabama. He was a fine coach and was one of the funniest people. He had a tremendous knowledge of music and life. He served as a groomsman at the first of my 27 weddings. Tonight in Marietta the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame will induct Jack Hurst the original radio voice of the Atlanta Falcons. It will be emceed by actor Jay Thomas who was on "Cheers."