Warrior Memories: A special tribute

Most every week I write about players that have played the game and about many people that devote so much time making this possible.

I have not taken the time to recognize those special people behind the scenes that are so important. Having been a coach for 36 years, I know the tremendous amount of time that must be put in to do the job properly. It is not only the time put in for practices and games, but also in preparation. This is all time taken away from family.

In many instances this is time in excess of regular working hours. For every successful married coach that I have ever known, they have one thing in common. They have a wonderful, supporting spouse that also must take on a lot of extra responsibility. I know from years of experience just how much this support means.

You devote hours and hours to other people’s kids. As a coach you learn to care about  your team members almost like your own. Too often your spouse may not know your players except by the way you and others talk about them. Your spouse is often subjected unfairly to the criticism that every coach receives.

This is unfair but unfortunately it is a fact. I am writing this column to express my utmost thanks and appreciation to the many in the background that I never get to thank personally for the valuable contribution you contribute to our youth. You may never realize how important your support is to our young people, but those of us that have spent years in athletic administration really know what it means. It means a lot. Thank You.

Dick Trone writes on his reflections and the history of Del Norte High Warrior sports. Trone, who played football for the Warriors, had an illustrious  career on the gridiron at Humboldt State University. Trone was head football coach at Del Norte High for a number of years before retiring.