THE IMPORTANCE OF TRUTH
Chet Coppock
ESPN Radio 1000-7th floor
190 N. State Street
Chicago, Ill. 60601-3302
Dear Chet:
I sincerely hope that you've fully recovered from the eye injury that you sustained outside the ALLSTATE ARENA immediately following a De Paul basketball game; and that the assailant receives his just punishment for his wanton misdeed.
Speaking of De Paul, there's a vital dimension that's lacking, but deserves to be included in the coaching legacy of the late Ray Meyer, the "Baron of Belden," as you so often aptly and deferentially referred to him.
Chet, "Coach" had a dream. Nothing would have given him greater pleasure than to be acknowledged and identified as the "Father of Holistic Basketball." This is the "missing dimension" that needs to be addressed and incorporated into his coaching legacy.
For this reason, he gave me written permission to display his portrait on the front cover of "The Coach and Us," (complimentary copy enclosed).
Unfortunately, the University that he so faithfully loved and gave his "life's blood" to for 50+ years dishonored him.
At the time that The Coach and Us was published (1998), Pat Kennedy was coaching the Blue Demons. He was informed about the book, and where he could get it. But he and the then-AD, Bill Bradshaw, as you are probably well aware, wanted to disassociate themselves of the Meyer legacy. Perhaps, that is why this book is the best kept secret at De Paul. For the University, it was, to use Al Gore's words, an "INCONVENIENT TRUTH."
Chet, until The Coach and Us gains "common currency," Coach Ray's coaching legacy remains as "unfinished business," and is "lacking in closure." You, having had amicable relations with him, and being a broadcaster who "pulls no punches," have the power of the airwaves to revitalize and "take to the world," this closing chapter of Coach's coaching legacy.
The book is really a labor of love. It's a true, faith-in-action story based on Universal and Holistic principles, principles that have been embraced and endorsed by the "greatest thinkers" of the ages. It's a book not only for athletes and sports fans, but for anyone interested in the potential of the human spirit. Its contents apply to everyday living. It's about values and the higher quality of life that comes from the realization of these values. It deals with creativity as a function of the participation of the "WHOLE PERSON." It has as its aim the FULL development of one's Power of Will, and Real Spiritual Self in sport and life.
Although "Coach"
died a year ago, my memory of him still lingers on. I'm dedicated to achieving his dream of being identified as the "Father of Holistic Basketball" ---the "missing dimension" of his coaching legacy. "Coach" and his family deserve this. A VOICE ON THE AIR WOULD really help.
Thank you and God bless you,
Norman Kozak
8054 Niles Ave.
Sklokie,Ill.60077
(847) 674-7945
P.S. The story of the Coach and Us starts on page 13. Some people prefer to read the story through and then refer to parts 1&2 for further clarification
