Below is a piece I wrote last spring after finding a letter my Dad received when he was in high school from his basketball coach. The letter was written 52 years ago today. Enjoy!
-sbb
Life
experienced in all of its simplicity is often the best way to
experience life. Last year I had the pleasure to read a letter that my
father's high school basketball coach, Dick Snouffer, wrote (typed) to
all the young men that made the varsity basketball team that year.
The letter is simply a treasure.
To
read the letter is to go to a time much different than today. It was
the middle of the 20th century, in Middle America, and "smack dab" in
the middle of
the civil rights movement.
In 1959 the unemployment rate was 5%; the average salary was $5010.00 and the average cost of a home was $12,400. Families around the country were watching "Bonanza" and "The Twilight Zone" on their TV sets; watching Cary Grant in "North by Northwest" and Charlton Heston in "Ben Hur" on the silver screen. The number one hit on the radio was Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife".
In 1959 the unemployment rate was 5%; the average salary was $5010.00 and the average cost of a home was $12,400. Families around the country were watching "Bonanza" and "The Twilight Zone" on their TV sets; watching Cary Grant in "North by Northwest" and Charlton Heston in "Ben Hur" on the silver screen. The number one hit on the radio was Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife".
Oh
yea, a gallon of gas was 25 cents. Usually, I try to say something
clever after delivering a fact like that, but I can't...I'm truly
speechless.
Jake Bailey #52
Circleville High School
Below is the letter that was written 51 years ago this November:
Circleville High School
J. Wray Henry, Principal
Circleville, Ohio
November 30, 1959
Greetings James:
Congratulations! After two weeks of concentrated practice for all
of us, you have been selected as a member of the Circleville High School
varsity basketball squad for this year. You have been selected on the
basis of what we believe you can potentially contribute to our squad. As
a varsity squad member, you are expected to be one of the eleven "most hustling" young men in the classroom and on the basketball court.
You
are to keep yourself healthy and "ready to go" at all times for all of
our interests and not yours alone. In order to do this, the following
are training suggestions for your "self discipline" which is the answer
to training.
(1) At least 8-9 hours sleep each night. Be honest, you know how you feel after too little sleep.
(2)
Regular meals - cokes, potato chips, and other snacks are hard on
digestion if they aren't eaten with meals. Fruit between meals is OK at
times.
(3) Regular hours for Study and Relaxation. Get your homework done early before you are too tired.
(4) No habits adverse to body growth and normal health. Tobacco, alcohol, too many greasy foods are "out".
(5)
Good emotional balance. "First things first" in your life. Know what is
important to you NOW! Your only opportunity for a high school education
and athletics is here now.
Basketball season lasts only four months and you will have the rest of
your life to remember it if you did your best. Three copies of
"Basketball and You at Circleville High School" are on file in the high
school library. You should know the material presented therein
"backwards and forwards".
Attitude, the result of your adjustment to life, is a basic ingredient
of any organization, team or otherwise. Four basic factors for a good
mental attitude are:
(1) CONFIDENCE - in athletics, it comes with ability, physical condition,good attitude, and experience.
(2)
DESIRE - to learn (both in the classroom and on the basketball court),
to improve, to excel, to win and to train. This should come from within
you and from the heart.
(3)
LOYALTY & RESPECT - to self, to parents, teammates, school
officials, teachers, and coach. Your coach will make mistakes now and
then as you will, but he likes the game and wants to win as much as you
do.
(4)
RELIGION - Last but not least by far - a player with faith in God is a
better player. He has a clearer mind, seems to know what he wants from
life, and goes after it in a straight forward manner.
With
a 100% effort on the part of each of us, we can look forward to an
interesting season. How will you answer the question at the end of the
season: "What have I contributed to the success of our squad this year?"
Best wishes for a very good year.
Sincerely,
Richard K. Snouffer
Coach
Imagine
if this letter were written today...the ACLU would have a field day.
BTW, I bought gas today; seven gallons...$19.59.
You do the arithmetic.
You do the arithmetic.
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