something to think about

LC Coaches

02/10/22
Ernie, Steve, Larry and Bernie
I really appreciate the chance to lunch with you guys every month and really enjoy the non-stop story telling. I have mentioned before, but seriously, I would like to have you all document the stories and I would publish them in a book/booklet form. My book publishing is not particularly formal, but the publication will not fall apart and it can be easily printed and distributed… as many times as required. … and really, really cheap!

I just think that you would have a LOT of former players and students that would be very interested in such a publication – especially if you include a lot of names and period stories. I know that you guys coached at Lewis Central for many years – not sure of entire period, but must be in 70s and into 90s??? Has to be a lot of players names and games that would bring back a lot of memories to a lot of folks. I’m guessing that each you could wiggle out a few minutes each day to document stories… brainstorming story memories need not be in any particular order – just documented, and then when it is ready to print/publish, the stories could be ordered – probably by year and by sport (but probably mostly football), and then incorporated into printable book form. … not sure wives wouldn’t also be able to contribute…. Pics could be included, when/where available.

Bernie and I have talked often about wishing that we had documented stories of each football game that we worked sidelines from 1990 until …. Well - Bernie would still be writing! You coaches feed off of each other – one mentions a name or a game and the other two pick up and fill out the story. Whether it would be 20 pages or 200 pages, makes no difference. And there is no time limit, no time-frame – may take many, many months to compile stories. You all still have good memories and, sorry to say, that may not always be the case.

In the early 90s, when I was wrestling with the idea of documenting my memories of the 1940s, my daughter with an English major told me… “… don’t worry about perfect sentences and correctness – just tell the story in your own words” and that is what I did. Maybe your favorite English teacher would agree… or maybe not, but it is still easier to document memories “in your own words”. Actually makes it easier for a lot of folks to read anyway!..

Maybe just give it some thought.