Coach Dale

As I look at the list of invitees I can't help but be impressed by the number of D1 athletes. Unfortunately, I did not fit in this category. As I reflect I realize Dale Meddock impacted me at two different periods of my life.

As we went through B-E Jr. High who can forget gym class. It definitely was a character builder. I don't know if I would of played football in high school without Dale Meddock(and also Nick Macaluso) pushing me like they did. I don't think I realized this until years later. The bar was definitely raised in those classes. You were encouraged(and sometimes very directly)to do more than you thought you could do.

The second time Dale influenced my life and career was well into adulthood. I had known Dale as a colleague for fifteen years but not until we started coaching together in 1987 did he become my mentor and friend. I had already been a football coach for over ten years when Dale and I started working together. My coaching career spans over thirty years working with many fine individuals. But Dale Meddock will always be head and shoulders at the top of this list. Dale Meddock taught me how to "coach". The nine years we spent together was truly memorable. I could write a book of the many valuable lessons I learned from Dale. To observe
Dale Meddock coaching was and still is inspirational to me. I will always be in awe of his gift of getting kids to perform and do what he needed them to do. His ability to predict and be accurate was uncanny. I thank Coach for teaching me how to be a coach.

But I thank him even more for being my friend. I couldn't ask for a better friend than Dale Meddock. It hasn't been the same working at the junior high since Dale retired. I miss his presence, his camaraderie and his humor(even when reminded of the West A debacle). I can never thank Dale enough for being my friend and mentor.

Thanks Coach,

Tom Santry