The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page 88

COACH Continued Parade of dollars was easy to start-hard to stop A QJJ jQ ft How many times have Western's basketball fans seen Coach Diddle agonize like this? THE Western State College silver-dollar bonanza for Ed Diddle two weeks ago was brought about by the fact that the New Mexico State game saw him establishing still another record in college basketball the first coach ever to participate in 1,000 games at the same school. The idea, dreamed up by W. B. "Big Six" Henderson, a long-time friend, was to present Diddle, who has become a legend in his own lifetime, with a silver dollar for each game he has coached at Western. However, the total shot past the 1,000 mark with dollars donated only by downtown Bowling Green folks.

In the end, $1,235 was collected. When the Western team had gone with Ted Horn-back, the assistant coach, to the locker room at half-time, Diddle, still clutching his red towel, bath size, was asked to remain behind. Robert Cochran, Western publicity director, served as master of ceremonies, and started out by inviting the 67-year-old Diddle to take a seat beside President Thompson in the center of the floor. "Forty seasons and 999'i games ago, Ed Diddle started his almost unbelievable regime as head coach on this old hilltop," Thompson said. "This was the start of the greatest coaching record in the history of basketball." Henderson, his eyes watery and his voice choked with emotion, was introduced for a review of Diddle's record-shattering years at Western, and for his kindness and consideration for others.

Then a parade of dollar-toting cheerleaders moved across the floor. First came two girls pulling a red wagon, and behind them 10 others, each carrying 100 silver dollars which they dumped into the wagon. Then the wagon, the 1,000 cart wheels and a chock for the added amount was presented to the surprised Diddle. Diddle, who was returning to the team after a hospital following a major operation, found it difficult to speak. His big, expressive, naturally sad eyes resembled a leaky faucet as he responded to the standing ovation of the packed gym.

"If I had it all to do over again," he said, "I would want to do the same thing at the same place and with the same friends." In another ceremony, Edwin Ward, superintendent of Warren County schools and a player at Western when Diddle came there, presented him with a trophy emblematic of the historic game. It would be difficult to imagine a college coach in any sport being held in more regard by townspeople, former players and students than Diddle. When he was stricken with two heart attacks 10 years ago, his health became a matter of great concern in Bowling Green and wherever two or more ex-Western students gathered. Language All Hid Own In any congregation of Westerners, the conversation eventually turns to Diddle, his exploits and his penchant for coining new words and phrases in times of excitement. Charley Vettiner, Jefferson County recreation director and once a Western athlete, tells of having a practice session run-in with another player on the baseball team which Diddle then coached.

Diddle called the two aside. "Now," be asked in his slightly lispy voice, "aren't you two ashamed of each other?" After each had confessed he was ashamed of the other, the practice resumed. Before a basketball game with the University of Louisville last year, Diddle was stewing over ways of stopping Fred Sawyer, U. of giant center. "That Sawyer is the biggest man I ever saw," he fretted.

"Why, he must be 6 feet 13 or 14, at least" Incidentally, Western won the game by 71-67, bringing Diddle's record to 736 wins, the greatest total ever won by any coach. When the Western player headed for the dressing room at the half. Uncle E1 was told to May put on the hench. Here he cits erect, feet flat on the floor, waiting for whatever was coming next. It might he added this is hardly a typical attitude.

"o7 THI COUMIf M-JOURNAl MAGAZINI.