Flint Loses a Coaching Jewel (Flint Journal)
September 25, 2012
The Flint sports community lost a longtime contributor Monday, and one that no doubt left heavy hearts all over Michigan. Longtime Flint Powers Catholic coach Jack Pratt died at the age of 84.
His career covered roughly a half-century and included more than 300 football wins and nearly 400 on the basketball court. He coached well into the last decade and into his late 70s. Ross Maghielse memorializes him well.
Stripes Worn Well (Muskegon Chronicle)
March 1, 2012
Tim Flahive has battled diabetes for all but a few years of his life. But he's also filled half of those years with high school sports as a longtime official based in the Muskegon area.
The Muskegon Chronicle's Mark Opfermann tells the story of Flahive's final basketball game last week -- and makes us appreciate even more the significant role our officials fill to no fanfare.
A powerful excerpt:
He left the court with no fanfare, took off his whistle and shed a few tears.
But Flahive's story isn’t just about sports and an official leaving the hobby he loves. It’s about courage, getting back up and pressing on.
So, I guess it’s a lot like sports after all. But it’s a whole lot more about life.
That’s because when Flahive took the court last week, he did it with half of his left foot missing.