quote:

Originally posted by HB:
Toni-if you could email me that would be great. Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by B Corkle:
I have the utmost respect for individuals that don’t work in the school system who find time to work with kids. If a school employs you, your job is working with kids, so coaching is a natural extension of that. When you work outside of school you are often pulled in different directions and making that kind of commitment is really hard for anyone to do consistently. The world needs more people willing to give of themselves like this.

I didn't know Red Rocker personally. I didn't even know his real name until recently. I pieced together over the years that he was involved in some capacity with Bearcat wrestling, I just didn't know how. I wasn't real sure if he was a coach or a booster or a fan... I always enjoyed his pictures and posts on the board. He seemed to be able to find a picture for every statement ever made. We had a difference of opinion on the Back 9 one time, the thing I respected even when we were bantering back and forth was that he listened and seemed to respect my position even if he didn’t agree with it. I’m sad that I just now was able to put a face with the name. In doing so, I realized that we had actually crossed paths a few other times over the years in of all places, seeding meetings. He coached the JV wrestlers from Kearney at the GICC tournament. My memories of him there were also in the form of debate. The time I really remember was from a couple of years ago when he was arguing for a seed for his guy over one of ours. His kid had the better record, but we had beaten the Kearney varsity kid the previous week at Boone Central. We didn’t have any common opponents through previous competition, but it was my contention that we should get the seed. I mean we beat the varsity guy, haven’t we shown we’re better then the JV kid? Mike was adamant that his kid’s better record was and should be the final criteria and in the end his wrestler got the seed. I was furious. At the time, I couldn’t, for the life of me, figure out why someone would ever try and fight the fight he did that day. I view it a little different now, after learning more about the man.

In that seeding meeting years ago I now see the man so many of you have described. I have a quote in my room that says, “Character is who you are when people aren’t watching.” He had that figured out. Mike’s loyalty to his wrestler was on display in that seeding meeting, even if he wasn’t present to see it. At the time, I mistook it for something else. If you want to teach kids to fight for themselves, or more importantly fight for each other, you better be willing to go to bat for them, no matter what others may think of you. HE WASN'T A MAN CONCERNED WITH IMAGE; his sense of duty was first and foremost with those that he served. I wish I had had a better grasp of all that before now, then maybe I could have overcome my pettiness and gotten to know a good man a little better.

Dr. King prophetically said, THE QUALITY, NOT THE LONGEVITY OF LIFE IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT.” I can imagine that during this incredibly difficult time it offers little comfort to his family and friends. But for what it’s worth, it is pretty clear that Mike lived a quality life, the kind we should all attempt to live; even to those that knew him very little. God bless you for your service in this life Red Rocker. RIP.

quote:

Originally posted by hawk:
I keep scrolling thru different things like my phone, e-mails, sent items, or here on HM and I come across his # or something he sent me or maybe hear "I Cant Drive 55" and he comes back to me. He is here with us and for that I am grateful!
Miss you Brother!

quote:

Originally posted by HB:
On my way to McCook last week, I stopped in Kearney to get gas and ended up driving by the hospital and church and then decided to go by L&S where Mike worked just to see the route he drove to work every day and where many of our conversations took place.

Of course his name will remain at the top. I've also got something I'm going to put up soon. Stay tuned.