A Different Kind of Father's Day Story

Over the years people have asked me why I coach? Tarone, you and the Philadelphia Blazers validate my decision. I wouldn’t trade the experiences or the close relationships for all the riches in the world. Sometimes, on Father’s days, I wondered what it would have felt like, the emotions flowing through my being, to have had biological children. After a few years, I realized that God put me on this earth for different purposes and for different reasons. I’ve had many basketball sons and you, Tarone, exemplify what I would want my biological son to grow into…a man of character who learns values and appreciates the people in his life. Thank you for the wonderful Facebook comments! HAPPY BELATED FATHERS DAY COACH, I KNOW I'M A LITTLE LATE AND YOU DON'T HAVE ANY BIOLOGICAL KIDS,BUT YOU HELPED RAISE MANY. YOU SHOWED US NOT ONLY ABOUT BASKETBALL ,BUT LIFE AND HOW TO CONDUCT OURSELVES AS YOUNG MEN AND THAT THERE WAS A BIG WORLD OUTSIDE OF PHILADELPHIA AND FOR THAT I WILL ALWAYS BE GREATFUL. I WISH YOU MUCH SUCCESS AND HAPPYNESS IN YOUR NEW CARREER AS AN AUTHOR.MUCH LOVE AND RESPECT TO YOU ALWAYS!!! I cried when I read the comments and stared at the Philadelphia Blazers team photo at the old Spectrum in Philadelphia…but I was so very, very happy! As an author when I wrote Philly Style and Philly Profile, a novel centered on my experiences coaching the Philadelphia Blazers in the seventies; it was dedicated to all my Blazers. I wrote to remember the players and to put into words the feelings, emotions and experiences of seeing a group of young boys grow into productive MEN. Now, with God’s Blessings, I’m still physically fit and I’m still teaching and coaching. Please pray for me as I’m in line to become a head varsity high school basketball coach in Dekalb County (Georgia). The decision is being made right now. If it happens, I will be able to still “Coach” young men. Again, thank you for the wonderful comments. Tarone, I love you! God Bless you, Coach T