04/11/10 — Letters to sport

Fond memories of George Perry

To the sports editor — The untimely death of George Perry and his wife broke my heart. As his high school football coach, I met him when he was 15 years old. He was always full of enthusiasm to play sports at Davis High School. From the very beginning, George showed a special gift for leadership. Even though he was built like a lineman, his take-charge attitude was tailored made for the quarterback position.

George was very easy to coach. He wanted to learn everything about the game, and he made sure his teammates felt the same way. There was no horse play when GP took control. In his senior year, the team tied for the Big Nine championship. They lost only to Lewiston, Idaho, on the road, in a first game that was questionably officiated. The following week, Davis played the co-champion Kamiakin to a tie, just a day after a letter written by Mrs. Cecil Andrus, whose husband was then an Idaho state senator, impugned the team’s sportsmanship. (Many letters defending the team followed the next week). Later in the season, George led the team to victories over Wenatchee, ranked No. 1, and Walla Walla, ranked No. 6. It was unfortunate that there were no state playoffs at that time.

After high school, George broke several passing records at Whitworth and then went on to a long coaching career. Without question, he touched the lives of his players as a leader, motivator, role model and coach. We were friends throughout his life, sharing coaching philosophy and often talking the on phone. Most recently, we were in contact through the internet. For me, I will miss the big fellow, but not the fond memories we shared. He was a coaches’ coach.

Dwight “Dee” Hawkes

Davis coach 1967-72

New Ike can’t forget volleyball

To the sports editor — As a person who has benefited from the Yakima School District’s policy that provides public access to its facilities, I hope the plans for the Eisenhower gymnasium continue to be as friendly to volleyball. The original Ike gym holds four regulation volleyball courts. Will the new facility offer as many? It is hard to tell at this stage — floor dimensions have not been divulged on the rendering I saw. Four volleyball courts would each need 80 by 50 feet (total floor space of 80 by 200).

Hopefully, the Yakima School District could the host more volleyball regional championships at one site. Currently the event is held more often in the Tri-Cities and Spokane, both sites with better facilities.

Volleyball has proven to be a popular sport in the Valley. More clubs have been formed within the last five years with Grandview, Sunnyside, Simcoe (Goldendale) starting clubs with one or more age groups and Selah growing to seven teams. Even Team Yakima has returned to 11 teams while Al Roger’s Cascade Club holding at five teams.

With a quality coach and program in place at Eisenhower, I hope they do not get short-changed regarding space.

Virginia Hays

Yakima

Keep lights on for soccer players

To the sports editor — Our grandson plays soccer at the Selah fields by the swimming pool. Many games are late in the day and require lights before the games end. I don’t know if somebody is there taking care of things who doesn’t want to be there or what, but they sure are in a hurry to turn the lights off. They turn the lights on before they are really needed. I know that some types of lights don’t reach maximum output immediately, but the real problem is after the game is over. Before even half the people get off the field, they turn half the lights off. Before everyone is off the field, they turn all the lights off. There are parents trying to get all of the stuff they packed to the game ready to haul to the car and kids are rounding up their soccer balls, clothes, etc. Guess what: All of the lights are turned off and we are left on a totally dark field.

Is this what Selah thinks of its kids and the parents/grandparents who support local soccer? When somebody gets hurt in the dark, will the small amount of money saved by turning the lights off early be all that important?

Richard Grimm

Yakima