Gordie Gillespie: Master Teacher and Coach

Part 3 of 3: Evolution When I first heard their names, I thought it was pretty funny. I was a skinny Braidwood kid just entering a high school in Joliet where I was a freshman. It was funny because I was sitting in the old gym bleachers with perhaps 200 other 13-14-year-old boys when the faculty … Continue reading Gordie Gillespie: Master Teacher and Coach →

Now I Know Coach Gordie Gillespie

You never know who will spring into your life and make such a remarkable impact that it determines your destiny. I have written three blogs that capture my journey with the man who would literally change the lives of thousands of men and women. Similar stories about him have been told or written by many … Continue reading Now I Know Coach Gordie Gillespie →

Who is Coach Gordie Gillespie?

“Keep on writing, Dad, before you lose your marbles.”

“You might have put it a little differently, son, but I get your drift.” My mother, Adele Ginter Kennedy, her siblings, and classmates circa 1925 playing marbles.. It’s a good analogy because I played “mibs” when I was in St. Rose grade school. My bag included about 20 or so glass marbles that included a … Continue reading “Keep on writing, Dad, before you lose your marbles.” →

The Humility of Coach Gillespie: A True Leader

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.”C.S. Lewis When people talk about the wondrous accomplishments of Coach Gordie Gillespie, topics usually center on baseball and football championships, the number of wins over his long career, halls of fame, captivating speeches, and the impact made on thousands of students and athletes. Indeed, … Continue reading The Humility of Coach Gillespie: A True Leader →

Stories of Paul Ruddy of Lewis: Funniest Man Ever

“Great stories happen to those who can tell them.” Ira Glass The first time I remember seeing Paul was at Joliet Catholic High School when I was a freshman. Walking through the old gym, I saw a gangly junior practicing free throws and a buddy of mine said, “That’s Paul Ruddy. He’s on our team.” … Continue reading Stories of Paul Ruddy of Lewis: Funniest Man Ever →

“We are related to the Van Duynes?”

“Yes, son, .... and to the Hermes, the Shuttens, the Klovers, the Holmans, and many more here in Wilmington.” "No individual death among human beings is important. Someone who dies leaves his work behind and that does not entirely die. It never dies as long as humanity exists." Isaac Asimov St. Rose Church, view from … Continue reading “We are related to the Van Duynes?” →

Starting a Soccer Program: Lewis College

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Theodore Roosevelt https://braidwoodguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/55851_1624521213648_1804800_o.jpg?w=1024 Evan Fiffles, Alex Hernandez, Steve Janczak, Tom Kennedy In the spring of 1967, I was hired part time at Lewis as the JV baseball coach and assistant to Coach Gillespie on the varsity level. In the fall of that year, Coach … Continue reading Starting a Soccer Program: Lewis College →

Reflections: Barefoot in the Snow

"...so at a knockI emptied my cageTo hide in the worldAnd alter with age."Robert Frost As old age and loneliness collaborate in an attempt to stifle life, the human spirit can once again emerge through memories of nature, youthful innocence, and vulnerability. The snow fell softly early evening and steadily through the night, Small flakes … Continue reading Reflections: Barefoot in the Snow →

Starting a New School: Roncalli of Aurora

“I rarely end up where I was intending to go, but often I end up somewhere I needed to be.” ― Douglas Adams, Starting and being a part of a new situation has been nothing new to me. After my sophomore year at Lewis, I was introduced in 1960 to new sponsorship of Lewis College whereby … Continue reading Starting a New School: Roncalli of Aurora →