Coming of Age in the ’60’s

"The thing the sixties did was to show us the possibilities and the responsibility that we all had. It wasn't the answer. It just gave us a glimpse of the possibility." John Lennon Little did I know that, at age 21, my future path already had been prescribed. The 1960’s and 1970’s confirmed that prescription. … Continue reading Coming of Age in the ’60’s →

What Our Fathers Endured

“The greatest generation was formed first by the Great Depression. They shared everything - meals, jobs, clothing.”Tom Brokaw Most people of my generation have no idea what it was like. Compared to many others, I had it pretty easy. As the son of European ancestors living in America and a product of wonderful parents, I … Continue reading What Our Fathers Endured →

More of My Best Years of Coaching

“We were privileged to have some great kids. Our philosophy was to make Major League people not Major League ballplayers. We wanted the kids to come out of our place with a career beyond baseball. You can call it life after baseball, and that was our objective." Gordie Gillespie After all my years coaching in … Continue reading More of My Best Years of Coaching →

My Best Years in Coaching

“When one teaches, two learn.” Robert Heinlein I have often thought about my most formative years of coaching young people, and it is a difficult task to isolate any one experience. My initiation to coaching was at Roncalli High School (Aurora IL), where the boys laid the groundwork for me. They were generally tolerant with … Continue reading My Best Years in Coaching →

Three Jocks Past Prime Time

Written on March 15, 2006 Following is a fictitious recording on March 15, 2006 of three old-time Lewis basketball players reflecting on their time with the greatest coach of all-time, Gordie Gillespie. They are Bob Thayer, John Valaitis, and Tom Kennedy. “Three boys of Spring and Summer, Sat on a park bench on an early, … Continue reading Three Jocks Past Prime Time →

Adele Ginter Kennedy: My Braidwood Wonder Woman

"There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me."― Jane Austen It wasn’t easy for my Dad when his wife went to work outside the home. You see, the husband was the breadwinner in his day and … Continue reading Adele Ginter Kennedy: My Braidwood Wonder Woman →

Blazing New Trails

“Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.” -Brian Tracy I’m not exactly sure why mom wanted me to go to Joliet Catholic High School after my six years at St. Rose in Wilmington. I spent only those last six … Continue reading Blazing New Trails →

“If You Don’t Like kids, Get out!”

“Whether you’re coaching at Notre Dame or at Boys Club, it’s teaching young people. One is no more important than the other.” Gordie Gillespie Gordie said this many times, and not many coaches really get it. Because of his reputation, the Coach had many opportunities to “move up” in the coaching profession. Instead he chose to … Continue reading “If You Don’t Like kids, Get out!” →

Sights, Smells, and Spells on Walker Street in Braidwood

“I remember my childhood names for grasses and secret flowers. I remember where a toad may live and what time the birds awaken in the summer -- and what trees and seasons smelled like -- how people looked and walked and smelled even. The memory of odors is very rich.”― John Steinbeck The gravel road in … Continue reading Sights, Smells, and Spells on Walker Street in Braidwood →

Lessons I Learned from Coach Gordie Gillespie

“The best teacher is not the one who knows most but the one who is most capable of reducing knowledge to that simple compound of the obvious and wonderful.” ― H.L. Mencken (I encourage you to click on the video of Coach at the end of the blog.) I had the great fortune of playing for, and … Continue reading Lessons I Learned from Coach Gordie Gillespie →