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If I put together a short list to recognize men and women who had a hand in molding me for a career in teaching and coaching, former Bangor High School teacher and football coach Gerry Hodge would be at the top of that list.
On June 3, former players, students, and a host of others will gather at the Spectacular Events Center in Bangor to honor Hodge, a man who devoted his life to the betterment of kids.
It was not what Gerry taught me in his physical education classes. It was not the lessons of patience and fair play that influenced me. What impressed me even then was coach Hodge’s style. I remember thinking that being so mild-mannered was a good thing for an authoritarian figure.
Hodge, a former University of Maine standout football player, could command respect by just walking into a room. On the sidelines of a football field, he demanded respect by just being there. And when he and assistant coaches Norris Nickerson and John White stood together on the sidelines of the old Garland Street Field, they were a pretty imposing bunch.
If you follow this space, then you know that I spent a good deal of my youth watching coaches. I observed personal and professional mannerisms.
In a nutshell, I have my father to blame for all that. You see, Dad was a proponent of the theories of world-renowned personality development pioneer Dale Carnegie. Dad required the managerial level employees in his grocery business to take Carnegie’s world famous public speaking course.
Carnegie had an enthusiastic student in a gentleman named Napoleon Hill, so enthusiastic, in fact, that Hill penned a book, “Think and Grow Rich.”
That treatise said that everyone who wanted to be successful should emulate those who already are in the profession of their choice.
My dad put together his own reading list for his kids. Yes, you guessed correctly, Hill’s book was on mine.
As the banquet date to honor this wonderful man draws closer, stories will abound about the lessons Gerry Hodge imparted to his students and his players.
I have one of my own.
When we were seniors at Bangor High School, we had the likeable Hodge for a morning physical education class.
As memory serves, it was cold one fall session and Hodge asked us to take a couple of laps around the football practice field to warm up.
I suggested that we could expedite the process by taking a couple of laps around a rather rotund member of our class.
Hodge was not amused.
“Brownie,” he said – he always called me that – “you are our newest member of the Five Mile Club.”
Huh, I’m thinking. The Five Mile Club?
In actuality, Five Mile Club members had to perform the feat in 30 minutes or less.
Well, let me tell you, dear readers, that this is no small task.
Tickets for the Hodge testimonial are $45 and may be purchased at the Corner Store at 575 Hammond Street in Bangor, or at Fairmount Market at 662 Hammond Street. Organizers of the event are establishing a scholarship in coach Hodge’s honor. Those interested in making donations may contact Paul Newman, 64 Royal Road, Bangor, ME 04401.
The scholarship will be awarded each year at the Bangor High graduation to a deserving BHS football player. Donations to the Gerald F. Hodge Scholarship Fund are tax deductible.
I’m looking forward to celebrating with grateful others a career that impressively taught so many valuable lessons.
BDN columnist Ron Brown, a retired high school basketball coach, can be reached at bdnsports@bangordailynews.net
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