Clyde’s Corner: For the coaches in my life… thank you, thank you!

by Clyde Whitaker

Hello again everyone, I hope you are enjoying your summer!

I have been thinking about my August column, and after seeing my varsity basketball coach Phil Hora recently, I decided to write about the coaches that helped shape my life.

My parents Jim and Delberta Whitaker were my first coaches, showing me the right way to do something, teaching me to work hard, being good and helpful to others.

Coaches that had a major influence in my life included my seventh grade basketball coach Mr. Chuck Coleman and my varsity baseball coaches—Mr. Ron Driscoll in my sophomore and junior years and Mr. Larry White my senior year. Coach White also was my junior varsity basketball coach. My two-year varsity basketball coach was Mr. Phil Hora.

Coach Coleman was the perfect coach for me in the seventh grade, his calm and encouraging demeanor was good for showing this wild colt how to play the game of basketball the right way. He was such a classy man, always smiling; I loved coach Coleman.

Coach Driscoll was always chewing on his fingernails, but in between that he worked and worked with me on my pitching delivery. I credit coach Driscoll for helping me become a two-time, first-team All-League pitcher. He had a great sense of humor; I really enjoyed playing for him.

Coach White was a great fundamentals coach. He showed me the correct positions for playing offense and defense in basketball. He taught me the art of boxing out on rebounds, helping me to become the No. 2 rebounder in the Ingham County League my senior year. Coach White was generally a very reserved, quiet man, but we could crack a joke and make him show that big smile, and even got a short chuckle now and then.

Coach White also was good on baseball fundamentals. He coached me my senior year, leading us to a 14-0 record.

Finally, I played varsity basketball for coach Hora my junior and senior years. Coach Hora was a pretty strict coach, maybe that’s why he won 354 games and only lost 114 games. He taught us to play tough and compete. He coached for 21 years in Stockbridge. He is currently in consideration for the Michigan Hall of Fame and the Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.

Sadly, coach Coleman, coach Driscoll, and coach White are no longer here with us. Rest in peace and thank you for being a part of my life. To say I was lucky to have good coaches is an understatement. I had the best, and for that I am forever grateful.

All photos provided by Clyde Whitaker.

Baseball coach Ron Driscoll

Basketball and baseball coach Larry White

Basketball coach Chuck Coleman

Basketball Coach Phil Hora after coaching the team to a Regionals Final victory.