Coach Thibault

By Bud Lemire on Aug 28, 2009


When I was younger, several years ago
There was a coach, I came to know
I was a student at Escanaba High
I wasn’t good at gymnastics, although I did try

This coach treated everyone equal and fair
I knew with all my efforts I was glad to be there
It was at that time in the gym
That I came to know and admire him

I didn’t follow sports, but always heard his name
In the news, Coach Thibault’s team won the game
I didn’t know then, but soon it would be so
This coach and special man, I would come to know

As in every case, time seemed to pass by
I’d see him at the City Band concert, and I’d say hi
Or I’d see him walking around in the grocery store
He always remembered me, and share a little more

After telling him who I was, he looked at me
A smile crossed his face, with a returning memory
“Yes, I remember you,” is what he said
And it took me back to those days in Physical Ed

I couldn’t let this moment pass without honoring this special man in this poem. He has given so much to the High School kids through the years.
I saw him recently at Elmer’s and he remembered me with a smile. He asked where I was living now. I told him The Harbor Tower. He said his Mother use to live here. He smiled and thanked me for the conversation. I went away with a memory of a man I was glad to have known in my lifetime.