Legacy of the Coach

Before I share the tribute that was given by a former swimmer at Denny's Memorial in Houston, I want to go back and share the Swimmers Reunion we hosted when Dennis retired.

It was a birthday surprise in February 2004.  We started early in the fall spreading the word.  Then I was blessed to find a former swimmer (Scott) who was a professtional webmaster.  He took the information and created a beautiful website honoring coach and inviting swimmers from years past to his retirement celebration.

The best part on the website was individuals having the opportunity to send Dennis a personal message of congratulations.  And on the same site there were instructions regarding registration for the dinner event here in Bella Vita Ballroom.

I had decided that with the progression of dementia, the best celebration for Dennis was not just to have adult friends and coaches honor his years of service but for those he touched daily to have that opportunity.  With great excitement, we saw the numbers of registrations grow beyond expectation.  Former athletes and former swim parents came from miles around here in Texas.  Others flew in from other parts of the country.

When Dennis returned home late January, I told him what we were doing.  His excitement was all I needed to know this was the right decision.  Each day I would give him an update of who was coming.  And of course, I could not leave out the Athletic Director and High School Principal (both friends) who had supported Dennis and stood behind him when the end of his career was evident.

We hosted the tribute and friends from Bella Vita served the catered dinner menu.  There were stories told of years past and a great deal of laughter as those in attendance poked fun at their beloved coach and themselves.  That retirement party was a great success thanks to Scott (webmaster), our daughter-in-law Melissa (who took reservations and handled money) and all those who found it important to attend.

Ironically, it was many of these same swimmers (40+ yrs old) who visited Dennis in the hospital and who attended his final farewell - The Celebration of Life.

Now I want to share with you the eulogy written and spoken at that final farewell.  It speaks volumes to the man that Dennis was -- coach, mentor, advisor, parent and spiritual leader.
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Coach

Everyone remembers Coach, even those who did not know him personally. He was a master swimmer, achieving many victories throughout his lifetime. He could be seen riding his bike to work, swimming in his off time, working on swim schedules during lunchtime and picking up trash in and around the pool area at any given time. That's how he lived his life.

But those of us who swam under Coach’s leadership, will remember him in a  more profound, endearing, infinite way.

Coach was a man of few words, but it's not what Coach said that he will be remembered for. It’s what he didn’t say. 

In fact, it’s what Coach Shippey DID that will be his legacy. It’s how he lived his life. 

Coach was a leader, leading by example, instead of lectures. He lived his life each day, honoring his values of mutual respect, perseverance and commitment to excellence in everything he did. Always.

Coach was a cheerleader when we raced, a drill sergeant when we slacked off, a teacher if we needed lessons, a boss if we rebelled and a friend when we graduated. It’s how he lived his life.  Much of what we learned about how to live life, we learned in high school, through Coach’s example. 

Although he was not a talkative man, we knew when Coach was proud of us, concerned about us, upset with us and we also knew that he honestly loved coaching us. We knew. His actions always spoke so much louder than his words.  It's how he lived his life. 

Just recently, I began reflecting on what Coach Shippey meant to me at this point in my life, almost three decades after graduating. And what I realized is that - unknowingly, I had taken him with me after I graduated, through college and all through my twenty six years in education. Coach has been here with me all along, in the shape of a mentor, a cheerleader, a drill sergeant, a teacher, a boss and a friend – to my own students. Because the way he lived his life, in many ways became the way I tried to live MY life. 

Each one of us knows which part of Coach we took with us after graduation. And we know which part will stay with us, living on, living in us. 

This is Coach's legacy - that he will live on in all of us here in this room, in some way, shape or form. Now and always. 

At some point today, as you reminisce with those in attendance, look closely at their character, listen closely to their attitude  - you will find Coach. He’s here. Now, and always. 

We will miss you, Coach Shippey. The victories in your life were many, but your final victory is the sweetest of them all - where the pool water is always crystal clean, the roads are always paved, your pain has fallen away and your spirit has been restored. 

Rest in peace, Coach.

September 10, 2011

Susan Stevens Langlois