|
 Principal Gene Newton read off a list of Gasaway's
accomplishments, which included three state championships and a
total of 26 state appearances. Gasaway also won 1,110 games while
coaching and earned a spot in the IBCA Hall of Fame in 1991. He
retired from coaching and teaching in 2002 and still resides in
Mount Pulaski.
School board member Doug Martin introduced Coach Gasaway, who was
greeted with a standing ovation by the crowd. Martin spoke of the
board's decision in the spring to name the gym after Coach Gasaway.
Martin stated, "The board felt this was a wonderful way to honor
Coach Gasaway for his dedication to the school, students and
athletes he taught and coached for more than 40 years. His ability
to teach the work ethic and fundamentals involved in becoming a
successful athlete were evident through the years by the continued
success of the teams that he coached. He instilled his passion for
sports into his players, many of which still have the knowledge and
love for the game today, which all began right here in this
gymnasium under his guidance." Martin continued, " Both personally
and professionally Coach Gasaway is one of the most admired and
respected individuals in the community and is a true legend of
Illinois basketball."
On behalf of the school board, Martin thanked and congratulated
Coach Gasaway and announced the unveiling of the sign that reads,
"Bob Gasaway Gymnasium."
Again a standing ovation ensued by both the Mount Pulaski and West
Lincoln Broadwell crowds.
As Gasaway took center stage to say a few words he thanked everyone
for the great honor and recognized his former players. "They are the
reason I am standing here. They did a great job. I had excellent
players, some really talented players. I enjoyed every team I
coached. They were all special."
Gasaway also thanked two special people who helped during the last
few years of his coaching. "Stu Erlenbush and Tim Milner did a whale
of job helping the boys and helping me, too."
He also noted how vital the scorekeepers are to a coach and he
recognized two of them in the crowd, Brett Garlits and Mary Stewart.
To the young players on the court, he urged them to dedicate
themselves if they want to be successful at the game of basketball.
He stressed the importance of practice and fundamentals, not only in
the gym, but also at home. "I know everybody likes to shoot, but
there's also dribbling, passing and other facets of the game that
you need to work on at home. But the most important thing I can tell
you is to get your studies. Hit the books because long after you've
taken off your basketball shoes, all that knowledge you gained here
will be the most valuable to you." Gasaway drew laughs from the
crowd when he said, "Make sure you always stay eligible for the
coach's sake."
Gasaway also recognized Pat and Julie Butkovich in attendance. He
mentioned that he was so happy for them as on December 2nd the high
school gym will be named in honor of Coach Ed Butkovich.
[to top of second column] |
In closing, Gasaway reiterated what an honor it was to have the gym
named after him. "Every time I come in here from now on to a
ballgame, I'll look up there and think of all the 32 years of games
and practices and all the tournaments we've held here." He also
mentioned his successful teams of the '80s who had 13 state
appearances.
Finally he recognized the individual he coached that went the
furthest in his athletic career. "Dennis Werth is here tonight,"
Coach Gasaway told the crowd, asking Werth to stand up. "A great
friend of mine, Dennis made it all the way to the Yankees and I am
really proud of him. He's going to be inducted into the Lincoln
College Hall of Fame tomorrow night." A very appreciative Coach
Gasaway ended his speech by saying the day turned out great and "you
people really rocked the house here tonight."
Following the dedication folks mingled over to the corner of the gym
to offer their congratulations to Gasaway. One of those men was John
Jaggi of Decatur. Jaggi holds the distinct honor of being the only
person to ever play against Gasaway, coach against Gasaway and
referee Gasaway's 1,000 victory. Jaggi grew up in Chestnut and as a
player his Wildcats played against a Lake Fork team coached by
Gasaway. Later on as Jaggi coached Mount Auburn he drew Mount
Pulaski in the regionals and luckily, he says, "Gasaway was nice to
me and called off the press early." And finally he was on the court
as a referee for Gasaway's 1,000 win in Mount Pulaski. He also
mentioned that remarkably Gasaway only had one technical in his
entire coaching career and that was for being out of the coach's
box.
Steve Hayes, a member of the 1980 state championship team, recalls
how Gasaway always kept his cool. "The thing I remember most is his
composure and his ability to not get excited at either a bad call or
a good call." Hayes appreciates this more now that he coaches his
daughter's basketball teams. "He was great to play for and I learned
a lot," Hayes continued.
Meanwhile 1980 teammate Pat Walsh said, "The gym was always open so
the opportunity was always there to play basketball." Walsh admired
Gasaway's integrity and called him the "John Wooden of Mount Pulaski
basketball." Walsh summed it up pretty well by saying, "He is the
ultimate class act."
Dennis Werth also shared his thoughts on Coach Gasaway by saying,
"As a kid you don't always appreciate what others have done for you,
but the older you get the more appreciation you have for the people
that spent time with you when you were young. For me, Gasaway was
one of those people who took the time to lead me in the right
direction. Bob Gasaway was the key component to me being a good
kid."
Finally a quick word with the man of the evening summed things up
just perfectly. "It was a tremendous night."
Note: West Lincoln Broadwell defeated Mount Pulaski in both games.
The 7th graders from WLB won 40-37 and the 8th graders from WLB won
47-42.
[Teena Lowery] |
