Big Coach In The Little Gym

It’s all too easy to get cynical about the human condition these days. It’s one of the reasons I stopped going into chatrooms. It’s becoming no different at home, you switch on the TV and what do you find self-serving politicians? Then every so often a story comes along that reminds you the human condition is alive and well.

On Dec 10th Scott Lang a 41 years old basketball coach, died doing the thing he loved most: coaching basketball. He was stood courtside at the Kerr Fitness and Sports Center, instructing young players when suddenly he gasped for breath. He asked for water, stumbled for a few steps, then fell to the floor.

Scott wasn’t married. He had no children. He spent almost all of his adult life as the basketball coach at La Roche College, a tiny Division III school near Pittsburgh. He had an apartment and eventually a house but he might as well have lived in his office at the Kerr Fitness and Sports Center, the one he kept tidy with each picture perfectly lined on the wall and every file in order on his desk. It was here he could be found until well after midnight watching tapes of opposing teams, washing uniforms and endlessly searching for the perfect drills to use in the following day’s practice.

Some people are lucky like this. They discover what they love and they never leave. La Roche is not the kind of place a young basketball coach aspires to stay. Scot had offers to become a Division I assistant, to move himself toward the bright lights and the big games on television with student bands booming and announcers screaming. There were chances to be known, to make real money to maybe someday be a star. And on a few of those occasions he allowed himself to live the dream, feeling the lure. Yet he always said no. He had the only job he would ever want.

Here was a quiet unassuming man who spent his life in the service of others. His is an incredibly touching story and a poignant reminder that the human condition is alive and well. I urge you to read the story which can be found here.

Thanks to Lauren who herself is one of the nicest people in chat for sending this truly uplifting story in. It's made my day I hope it makes yours.