Friday evening two hundred and fifty people convened in Alumni gymnasium for the dedication of the Alpine and Nordic Ski Rooms to Coach Bob Flynn (Affectionately known as ‘Coach’). Members of the Bates community (past and present), athletic department, and ski world applauded as Clayton Spencer, Steve Fuller, and Coach himself spoke. A common thread connected each person in the room: Coach had impacted everyone there in one way or another.
As current members of the team, we know Coach only in the capacity and role that he has recently played on the Nordic team. Coach has a rich history of enhancing Bates Athletics; his initiative and dedication have been instrumental for taking many sports programs at Bates to the next level. On Friday night we listened to the stories and successes recounted from his time as Head Ski Coach, yet some of those same things still hold true today. When Steve Fuller said “I can safely assume that every person in this room has had a Bob “talk” at some point in their lives,” I could hear all current and former skiers chuckle to themselves because, whether or not we realized before that moment, Coach has impacted us all as skiers.
In a team meeting on Monday, Becky pointed out that whenever we come into the office to see her, Coach is in there. Often his back is to us- facing his computer, doing work or making a phone call. Yet, whether or not it appears so, he is listening to and observing each conversation. Sometimes he may not say anything; sometimes he may chime in with his opinion, but either way he is always listening: Always listening because he cares about us –as athletes, students and individuals in the greater picture.
Coach cares so much that he will tromp out through the snow with two ski poles in hand and watch us do intervals, cheering and providing the classic Coach phrases of encouragement: “ya look good”, “glide”, or providing us with a chuckle of inspiration by telling us we “need to get it together.” Although Coach has left the head ski coach position behind, his support is unwavering and his passion for and impact on the sport, especially at Bates, has been tremendous. From silently listening in the office, to cheering on the trails, offering valued words of wax wisdom or his presence at EVERY carnival weekend, Coach leaves an impact that each of us feels. Although much of the dedication on Friday focused on what some may deem “ the glory days”, the Bobcats of the present feel that the glory days of Bobcat skiing have continued, and Coach’s prime has yet to pass. Coach Bob Flynn has shaped Bates skiing into the successful program(s) (Nordic & Alpine) that we are lucky enough to be a part of, and one thing is for certain: he isn’t done yet.
So, Coach- we thank you. For everything you have done and everything you will continue to do for the future generations that pass through your office everyday. If you haven’t been fortunate enough to have a conversation with Coach, do it. Whether you’re swinging by to check out the new ski rooms (believe us, you should do that), or just on campus, go say hi to the man in the ski office. If you’re lucky enough, you may even get a quote at the end of your talk.
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| Coach (photo: Josh Kuckens/Bates College) |
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| Bates Nordic '15-'16 (photo: Sandy Gray) |
- Maddy, Sadie, and Halie
