Two more basketball acquaintances passed on this past month: John “Jack” Grimes and Richard “Rick” Felix. While mourning their loss, I once again found myself reflecting on how the simple game of basketball has graced me with the opportunity to get to know these two very special people. Rick through the coaching brotherhood, and Jack as a devoted fan of the game.

Although Rick never coached me, I was aware of his coaching history, his dedication to the game, and his ability to understand and positively relate to and impact a variety of former players. After beginning my coaching career at St. John Neumann Regional Academy he and his wife Sandra were welcome regular fans at all the games. While we did not speak that much at times our eyes would meet, and he would quietly nod to me and I back to him. I remember after winning the Heartland League Championship, our eyes once again met, he got a big grin, and gave me two thumbs up. A special acknowledgment from a very special man! Thumbs up Rick, well done!

Jack Grimes was a devoted fan of the St. John Neumann Knights, who I was privileged to get to know much better when I was done with Coaching — as I became one of the SJNRA traveling fan club. Chris Ward, Jack and I would ride together (the 3 Musketeers) to almost all games. When visiting Lewisburg last year, Jack was having a little trouble walking so I gladly let him hold my arm, and we did the “Jack Grimes shuffle” into and from the game. When Chris and Jack dropped me off later that evening, about 11 p.m., as I jumped out of the truck, Jack yelled, “I love you, Paul!” As those words echoed through the still night of my neighborhood, at first, I was shocked at the intimacy of such a statement from someone I did not really know that well, but I quickly yelled back, “I love you too, Jack!” And I realized, having been brought together through “the game,” I had come to love that man, Jack, and will greatly miss our basketball conversations.

Amazing. One simple game, and so many great relationships for which I am humbly grateful!