In this society that we have forged a man is oftentimes judged by the numbers associated with his life. What is his net worth? How much money does he make, etc...?
That synopsis is especially true in the world of sports, where too frequently a man's misdeeds are dismissed simply because of the 'numbers, statistics and banners,' associated with that individual. However, in the case of Michael Bryan Green, affectionately known as 'Coach Green,' judging him by just his athletic and coaching endeavors does him a great disservice. While his 'numbers, statistics and banners' are impressive, it is the impact he had on this community that will be remembered the most.
Wilt Chamberlin, known as 'Wilt the Stilt,' is famous for single-handedly scoring 100 points in a win over the New York Knicks in 1962. The 'Stilt' was also a compulsive philanderer, who with such content of character, shamelessly bragged about bedding over 20,000 women.
By contrast, Coach Green impressively scored 73 points (with no 3-point line) in a 1966 game for his Alma Mater, Lead Hill High School. This may not be as impressive as Wilt's 100-point game, however when it comes to content of character, Coach Green is beyond reproach. A packed gymnasium filled with family, friends, former players and former coaching adversaries, who turned out for his funeral last Wednesday, is a testament to that character.
Bobby Knight, nicknamed 'the General,' despite never having served this country, captured the Big Ten crown 11 times coaching men's basketball at Indiana. The 'General' also had a reputation as a tyrannical leader, who berated, micromanaged and at times physically abused his players.
As a head coach at Prairie Grove, Coach Green won 7 conference championships as well as numerous tournaments, but it was the tear-reddened eyes of his former players during his funeral that spoke volumes about his coaching ability. In his eulogy, Huntsville head coach Jim Stafford said Coach Green's players always played 'with confidence,' and more importantly that he never heard Coach Green talk badly about any of his players. Oh, and while 'the General' may have never served in the armed forces, Coach Green did serve for seven years, donning an Army Reserve uniform from 1968 until 1974.
Ty Cobb, 'the Georgia Peach,' won numerous batting titles as well as the American League MVP in 1911. 'The Peach' was also a noted racist who treated people poorly with his surly and oftentimes violent temperament. 'The Peach' is quoted as saying of himself, "In legend I am a sadistic, slashing, swashbuckling despot who waged war in the guise of sport."
On the other hand, Coach Green won numerous coaching awards in many different sports, and while the 'Peach' was generally loathed by his contemporaries, Coach Green was universally loved. He commanded many tournament hospitality rooms like Sinatra at his favorite Vegas nightclub, regaling fellow coaches and lucky sports writers like myself with funny stories and anecdotes.
It would be a shame to only judge Michael Bryan Green by his 'numbers, statistics and banners.' People will forget about the statistics and the banners will fade, however, if one must attach a number to his life, don't use his titles or coaching awards or point totals from high school and college. Instead, judge him by the thousands of lives he has touched, players whose lives he impacted, students he greeted in front of school every morning and community that was made much better by counting him as one of their own.
In 2010, there was a benefit game played to help Coach Green pay for some of the expenses associated with his battle against cancer. Hundreds of former players and friends turned out to honor Coach Green, and despite all that he was going through he was still quick to count his blessings:
"There is no way to put it into words how I feel tonight. I don't know what the future holds for me, but I know what the past has been for me. I'm the luckiest man in the world to have this town [Prairie Grove], these kids to work with and to be able to be a very small part of their lives."
He considered himself a 'lucky man,' however I believe I can speak for a large number of people when I say that we are the 'lucky' ones for having known Coach Green.
BEN MADRID IS A FREELANCE SPORTS WRITER, WHO HAS COVERED PRAIRIE GROVE SPORTS FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.
Sports on 09/10/2014