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Here’s my my tribute to Coach Dave Hart Sr. (Sports, July 4, “Family affair of the Hart: Tide official to accept award (Monday) on behalf of his late father”).
Not only did Coach Hart have a tremendous effect on football players, he also changed the lives of the track men he coached.
I would like to share with your readers and his family the influence he had on my life.
In 1956, our family moved from Gallitzin to Johnstown. I played basketball and baseball at Johnstown High, and had to run cross country to get into shape.
In 1957, my senior year, Coach Hart saw the potential I had as a runner. He convinced me to run track rather than play baseball.
Under Coach Hart’s direction and in my first track meet, I won the mile and 880-yard events. Later, I went on to place third at states in the 880 event.
A track scholarship to Seton Hall was offered to me. Unfortunately, it fell through; apparently no college for me.
When Coach Hart found out what had happened, he contacted Indiana University in the Big 10.
Due to his respected reputation and recommendation, I was on a train eight days later to Bloomington, Ind., in time to start the school’s second semester.
In 1962, I graduated from Indiana.
While I was there, I competed on a team that included two Olympians, Greg Bell and Willie May.
I am now retired after working 45 years in the pharmaceutical industry.
I owe my fortune and success to a great high school coach who saw my potential, and went the extra mile to help me get into college.
Pete Muffie
Cary, Ill.
Editorials
Readers' Forum 7-11| I owe my fortune and success to Coach Hart
- Editorials
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Readers' Forum 2-9 | Find funds to heal returning soldiers
The article, “Military finds troops ailing; problems create health care backlog,” published Feb. 2 by USA Today, impressed me so profoundly that I just can’t keep myself from bringing it to your attention.
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Take in a high school play
“Peter Pan” has already done a flyby at Windber Area High School.
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Readers' Forum 2-8 | Ambulance crew following protocol
In response to the Readers’ Forum letter on Feb. 3 by Molly Comperatore, “Ambulance assoc. bill extravagant, unethical”:
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Protect young lungs
A recent CDC study concludes that too many kids are breathing others’ smoke in cars.
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Richard Dreyfuss | Future generations will come out on losing end of budget
As the governor’s state budget undergoes intense scrutiny, there is no shortage of speculation surrounding various fiscal austerity proposals and which departments and programs will likely be the ultimate budgetary “winners and losers.”
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‘219’ optimism is driven closer toward reality
Making U.S. Route 219 a four-lane highway from Somerset to the Mason-Dixon Line is a crucial project for our entire region.
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Readers' Forum 2-7 | Country controlled by wackos
You just can’t make this stuff up.
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‘219’ optimism is driven closer toward reality
Making U.S. Route 219 a four-lane highway from Somerset to the Mason-Dixon Line is a crucial project for our entire region.
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Mark Critz | National Drug Intelligence Center – how we got here
Last week, the pending closure of Johnstown’s National Drug Intelligence Center became official, as years of fighting to keep it open came to an end.
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Readers' Forum 2-6 | Sidewalk, security issues plague city
Despite Johnstown’s relatively mild winter, there continues to exist major concerns for senior citizens and disabled residents as we look toward the future and more-seasonably nasty winters.
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Readers' Forum 2-9 | Find funds to heal returning soldiers
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