John Robbins’ Speech

Thorntown Alumni Banquet

Saturday, May 9, 2015

(Used by permission)

 

INTRODUCTION OF JOHN ROBBINS – Guest Speaker by Martha (Maiden) Randel

The Alumni is very happy to have ’59 THS graduate John Robbins as our guest speaker today. John was a three-year varsity starter for Thorntown with an overall team record of 57-14 His three year point total was 889 (and that was before the 3-point shot.) He was all-sectional in ‘58 and ‘59. After his high school graduation he attended Indiana State University and was a three-year varsity starter for Indiana State, scored 1,045 points and was a member of the Indiana State All-Decade Team 1960-69. He was invited and attended tryouts for the Oakland Oaks Professional Basketball team in 1964...John spent 18 years as varsity coach at Sullivan, Wes-Del and Muncie Southside with an overall record 246-148, six sectional championships and two regional championships plus six Olympic Conference Championships...he twice led Muncie South to the Elite Eight in 1985 and 1989. John became Principal at Muncie South after retiring from coaching from 1989-2004. Now retired, he and his wife Gwen live in Muncie.

 

What an experience it is to talk with old (or should I say former…not old) classmates. You hear a lot of interesting stories. You have to admit many of us are here to see how are old boyfriends or girlfriends are doing – how much weight they gained – maybe how many times they have been married – or to see grey hair and how ‘young’ they currently look! (Ed Note: Johnny was able to get and keep attention…with some good opening jokes/laughs.)

“A former graduate and his wife were sitting at his high school reunion and the graduate kept staring at a drunken lady sitting alone at a nearby table. His wife asked, “Do you know her?” “Yes,” he said, “She is my old girlfriend, and I understand she took up drinking right after we broke up those many years ago. I haven’t seen her sober since.” “My gosh,” says the wife, “Who would have thought she would go on celebrating that long!?!”

Someone was asking if anyone knew Frank Feldman. I answered him by saying, “No, I haven’t met Frank.” Then he proceeded to tell me about Frank Feldman…

“He was a guy who did everything right…all the time. He was a terrific athlete – He could have won the grand slam in tennis. He could golf with the pros, sing like a baritone, and dance like a Broadway star!” I said, “There are always a few dark clouds over everybody.” “Oh, hell,” he said, “There’s more! Frank had a memory like a computer, could remember everyone’s birthday. And he could fix everything, not like me. He knew how to treat a woman – he was the perfect man – I never knew him to make a mistake. No one could measure up to Frank Feldman!”

“I said he sure sounds like an amazing fellow – how did you meet Frank? He said, “Well I never actually met Frank. He died. I married his damn wife!”

Thank you, Martha, for that nice introduction – sure is a bit intimidating standing in front of so many graduates of Thorntown High School and so many former RIVAL basketball players from Boone County Schools – sure nice to see you with us today. It is an honor to be invited to say a few words at this Alumni Banquet honoring the 1915 State Basketball Championship. The Alumni Officers, Committee and whomever else helped with this year’s banquet should be very proud. I hope you all have read and will get a chance to read the article in the Indianapolis Star on the 1915 State Championship Team. I assume there was no one available from the 1915 team to speak.

I notice that Jimmy Dimitroff is present – one of the outstanding basketball officials in Indiana – Jimmy received the Silver Medal Award at this year’s Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame Banquet in March. This award is given to a person who has made a significant contribution to Indiana Basketball in some way other than as a player or coach. Jimmy, you didn’t referee the 1915 Championship Game did you? I remember Jimmy refereeing some of our high school games and also some of the Indiana State College games in which I participated. At that time I thought his first name was Homer – as that’s what the fans were calling him.

Short story about Jimmy – you decide if the story is true.

Jimmy had gone to the Social Security Office to sign up for his Social Security. When the woman asked him for some identification, Jimmy noticed he had forgotten his billfold – so the woman at the SS Office asked him to unbutton his shirt. After taking a look at the grey hair on his chest, she said that was good enough for her and signed him up for Social Security. When he got home and told his wife the story, she replied, “Too bad you didn’t pull down your pants. You probably would have gotten disability.”

Reading the article in the Indianapolis Star I noticed that supposedly the 1915 team played games on the third floor of the elementary school building which was also used as a science room. Can you imagine what that would have been like? I still remember the old school and gym down by the library – then in 1954 this school building and gym were built. I remember watching the dedication game for the gym against Milan, the year after they won the Indiana State Basketball Championship – the “Hoosiers” movie game. I’m sure some of you might have played in the game or attended the game. Obert Piety was Thorntown’s Coach. (By the way, Milan clobbered us even though most of their last year’s players had graduated.)

It is great to see so many of our so called ‘RIVALS’ attending this year’s banquet. I can remember playing against many of you although now many of us don’t look quite the same. I particularly remember Ron Ebert and Larry Campbell in some games. I’ve read all the profiles you submitted. Say where is Melvin Martin? He stated in his profile that he and a Thorntown player…whom he would not name …had an interest in a certain Lebanon cheerleader. I dated a Lebanon cheerleader – talk to you after the banquet!

Between 1944 and 1974, Thorntown basketball teams had only three losing seasons – that’s only three in thirty years! This speaks highly of the many outstanding players and coaches that have been part of Thorntown’s basketball tradition. I remember every Friday it seemed like the entire community would attend the basketball games. The Boone County Tournament was a big event, and of course the Sectional Tournament, too. I think we had eight schools in the county participating. After 55 years it’s hard to remember many of the games, but I do recall the Sectional Championship Team of 1957. We beat Zionsville in the final game.

I remember Zionsville players Dave Eck, Walt Robey and Donnie Veatch to name a few. By the way, congratulations go to Donnie on your daughter (Kris Veatch Nolan) being inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in April of this year. She must have gotten her basketball ability from her mother.

Also, I know Zionsville won the Sectionals in 1958 and 1959 – who cares – not important.

Our coaches were Art Michaels and Don Bowen, and Mr. Robert Gibbs was the principal. When we heard we’re having a new principal – Mr. Gibbs – the most exciting news was that he had twin daughters! Jerry Johnson was waiting in the driveway when they moved in – the rest is history.

Reminds me of a joke – doesn’t have anything to do with anything other than it happened in a bank – Jerry became president of the local bank (Home National Bank.) Guy walks into a bank – walks over to the bank teller – said give me all your money – receives the money and shoots the bank teller. He turns around to the next person in line and says did you see what I did? – person says yes – so he shoots him. Turns to the next people in line – a married couple. He asks the wife did you see what I just did? The woman thinks for a minute and then says no, but my husband saw it all.

Thinking about my life, I’ve perhaps been more fortunate than most. But any success I have has started right here in Thorntown. It was so beneficial to me to be able to play high school basketball. My goal after graduating from high school was to become a teacher and basketball coach. Thanks to the support of my parents and excellent faculty here at Thorntown, I was able to meet my goal.

I attended Indiana State where I met my wife, Gwen. She was a Homecoming Queen, cheerleader and straight A student. I know what you are thinking – she was fortunate to get me. We have two sons and two grandkids with one on the way. One is retired from Ball State as a Professor and College Dean. The other attended DePauw University and played baseball instead of basketball.

During my years of playing college basketball I played against some excellent players and teams, such as Jerry Sloan of Evansville College; Zelmo Beatty, Prairie View; Willis Reed, Grambling; Walt Bellamy and Jimmy Rayle, Indiana University; among others. All of these players have played at one time in the NBA. I remember my first two varsity college games were at (1) Cincinnati – they won the NCAA Tournament that year – then at (2) IU with Bellamy, Radovich and Rayle. My four college years were four of the best of my life – lots of fun!

I spent 42 years in education. Twenty-six of the 42 were at Muncie Southside High School – 11 as the basketball coach and 15 as the high school principal. Steve Alford started his first varsity basketball game against us – he won. We won the Muncie Sectionals in 1981-83-85-87-89 (odd years were good to us) and the final game of the Semi-State in 1985 and 1989. The 1985 team was the best team I coached – but my best player broke his hand in the final game of the Regional against New Castle – we were beaten by Richmond in the final game of the Semi-State. I thought with him we might have gotten to the Final Four. In 1989 we were beaten by Eric Montross and Lawrence North in the final game of the Semi- State. No excuse here. In 1988 Central won the state tournament – we were ahead two points – less than a minute left – our best player missed a dunk – they go down and score – overtime – they win.

The major highlight of my coaching at South was getting to coach my son. He played basketball for two years at Murray State and two years at Ball State. Another fine experience at Southside was being able to coach a young black athlete – a very good athlete. It’s amazing how much better a coach you become with an excellent player. In 1990 I became principal at Southside – held position for 15 years. It’s different in an inter-city school – it’s a different world from Thorntown. Often the best part of the kids’ day is coming to school where they get a free lunch and someone cares about them. It was one of the best places I’ve worked.

I was part of the IHSAA for several years (serving on their Board of Directors) and was fortunate enough to be inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011…and like I said earlier…it all started here in Thorntown.

Upon retirement in 2004 – life is good. I play golf on any day that ends in “Y”.

In closing…“I used to be on the first hole of the front nine of life...but many of us are now on the back nine.  It got here so fast – where did the years go?  Friends are retired and growing grey – they move a little slower.  Some are in better shape than me and some are in worse shape than me. Yes, I have some regrets – there are things I wish I hadn’t done, things I should have done, and things I’m happy to have done.  So if you are not on your back nine yet let me remind you that it will be here faster than you think.  Don’t put things off too long as life goes by quickly.  Do what you can today because you never know if you are on your back nine or not – so live for today – say all the things you want your loved ones to remember.  Life is a gift to you – live it well – enjoy today – do something fun and be happy. Remember – live every day as it is your last because someday it will be.

 

 Thank you very much, John, for being our keynote speaker today. All of us enjoyed your comments. We’d like to present you with this Certificate of Appreciation and a 1915 anniversary special basketball logo T-shirt which you may wear proudly and often…and especially to the next Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame meeting!

(Presented by co-president Martha (Maiden) Randel)

JOHN RETURNED TO THE MICROPHONE ANNOUNCING HE IS GIVING A DONATION TO BE USED FOR THE ROADSIDE SIGN PROJECT PROMOTING THORNTOWN’S 1915 IHSAA CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL TEAM.