My brother and I had awesome seats for the '97 national tournament, except for the fact we had to sit by the Minnesota wrestlers and their families (our dad went with us the last night hoping to get a ticket and somehow he got a seat on the platform! Ours were awesome, his were unbelievable. We were trying to find him and my brother happened to see him).
Well, a few weeks later I took my oldest son who was 4 at the time to the Iowa spring football game. He kind of got antsy so I decided that it would be a good time to leave. As we were walking toward our car I saw Coach and Cathy watching a women's softball game just sitting with their lawn chairs outside the left field fence. I couldn't believe it. I was just going to pass by but then I thought what the heck. So I went back and introduced myself and my son Andy to him and Catchy. They were both very nice about it. We talked a bit about the tournament, my dad's seat and so forth for a few minutes. He actually got up from his chair and he stood up on his crutches to shake our hands and asked if Andy was going to give a wrestling a try. I said that he would have to bring that up with his mother (he didn't by the way).
Anyway, I have had some other chance encounters with Coach. One was at the 2010 nationals. He was just walking around by himself and I elbowed my friend. Again Coach was a total and complete gentleman. I continue to be amazed at his willingness to shake hands and talk to just about anybody. He is the greatest coach of all time in any sport and yet he is so nice and approachable. A great man!
Well, a few weeks later I took my oldest son who was 4 at the time to the Iowa spring football game. He kind of got antsy so I decided that it would be a good time to leave. As we were walking toward our car I saw Coach and Cathy watching a women's softball game just sitting with their lawn chairs outside the left field fence. I couldn't believe it. I was just going to pass by but then I thought what the heck. So I went back and introduced myself and my son Andy to him and Catchy. They were both very nice about it. We talked a bit about the tournament, my dad's seat and so forth for a few minutes. He actually got up from his chair and he stood up on his crutches to shake our hands and asked if Andy was going to give a wrestling a try. I said that he would have to bring that up with his mother (he didn't by the way).
Anyway, I have had some other chance encounters with Coach. One was at the 2010 nationals. He was just walking around by himself and I elbowed my friend. Again Coach was a total and complete gentleman. I continue to be amazed at his willingness to shake hands and talk to just about anybody. He is the greatest coach of all time in any sport and yet he is so nice and approachable. A great man!
