Mark Twain once said, “The worst loneliness is not to be
comfortable with yourself.” People who
know me might find it difficult to believe that I once lacked confidence and its
faithful companion, self-esteem. During
our most recent class reunion (the milestone 50th for the Class of
1961), we were asked to talk about our most inspirational teacher. Like most, I said that I would have to
include Paul Earles (math, science, and school Principal) and Leila Pate
(English), but tears came to my eyes and it took a while for me to continue
when I mentioned Coach Keith Youngen.
Here’s why:
Although I had a few friends among the kids in my neighborhood in
Elnora, having had polio before I was four years old, being sheltered by my
parents and other adults, and relying on a private tutor at home for the first
six grades of elementary school all contributed to my fears, insecurity, and
lack of social skills. Finally heading
into the school building on the first day of seventh grade, I could feel the
eyes on me as I walked stiff-legged to the Study Hall on my forearm crutches
and full-length leg braces.
Because I was so self-conscious, I didn’t realize that some of the
students were genuinely being nice to me and were accepting me for who I
was. In my naivety, I assumed those kids
were ‘putting on a show’ and were really more like the others who (in my mind)
were avoiding me like the plague. Things
got better as the years progressed, but I still seemed to have very few close
friends. Little did I know that was not
unusual, even for most kids.
Calvin Keith Youngen was the high school basketball coach for only
three seasons, leaving after my junior year at Elnora. He turned a losing program into a winning one
in just that short time. However, I will
always remember him for something much more important that affected my life
forever. Before the start of basketball
practice during my sophomore year, he approached me and asked if I’d like to be
a Student Manager. This would involve
getting equipment ready for practice and games plus travelling with the team to
away games and tournaments. It also
meant that I would have more interaction with the team, the fans, and most
importantly, the other students. That
simple request which I eagerly accepted did more to bring me out of my shell
and accept myself for who I am than any one thing that had happened prior.
During the next two years I spent a lot of time with him and was
devastated when Mr. Youngen left Elnora.
The last time I saw him was at our 25th class reunion. Although he apparently came to some others, I
didn’t attend any more until the 50th. Someone said he was invited but couldn’t come
due to another commitment.
Recently, it was announced that Bobby ‘Slick’ Leonard, legendary basketball
star, Indiana Pacers coach, and long-time Pacers announcer will be the subject
of an upcoming documentary about his life.
He met with three basketball buddies at his old Terre Haute Gerstmeyer
High School Gym for a photo which included twins Arley and Harley Andrews and Keith Youngen. Like an old Elvis song, “Memories, pressed
between the pages of my mind…” I just
celebrated my 69th birthday still full of confidence, self-esteem, and
with a ton of memories.
