The Kitchens
From 7-10-14
To build a great program, you not only need outstanding players, but many others who care & are interested in your teams. Recently Jan & I attended Julian Kitchens' 90th birthday party! (We don't get invited to many parties for someone 90 years old, even tho' my wife factiously reminded me it wouldn't be too many years before I would hopefully reach 90!
This was special, as the Kitchens are the only people that I know (other than Jan), that saw our Avondale H.S. team play in the Newton High Gym, my first & last (& all the other Rams' games), & followed us throughout our coaching career.
Basketball has always been very important to them, as Julian's H.S. Coach (over 70 years ago), asked him to take a young girl basketball player--Johnny Kathryn, to the Jr.-Sr. Prom. This date led to a courtship & marriage that is in it's 68th year! They also contributed to our program by having a daughter, Sandra, who was one of our outstanding cheerleaders. I have already written about many who have contributed much to our program, so I won't mention them again here. But, as the memories flow through my mind, I can't help thinking of Jimmy Gardner (& his "chicken dance" in the dressing room after big games). Jimmy was responsible for Jan & me flying to Colo. in 1972 to receive our 1st national coaching award; the great "hat waver", J. Hope Branham, who always inspired our fans with a variety of waves of his hat; Miss Pearl, who was in her late '80's & sat on the 1st row above my seat. When she got excited at the referees she would often spill her Coke & it would go on my head & down my back! Now I could never forget the 5 yr. old boy who fell in love with the Rams (& later was an "everything" to our team for 4 years). No one, other than my family has worked harder or longer than Darrell to contribute to the success of my career. As my mind roams, it reminds me of the day Mr. sharp called me into his office & wanted to talk about one of our most loyal fans, Archie. He was an ex-prize fighter, & NOBODY " messed with" Archie! He would come into the gym 2or3 weeks before our 1st game & bolt his chair to the first row @ the end of the court. He sat with several other guys & the rumor was that they were betting as much as 10 cents on the games. Mr. Sharp had a serious look on his face as he asked me to find out if Archie was bringing a gun to our games. The following Monday I went to his office & before I could say a word, he looked at me and seemed to be relieved as he said he knew I would find out if it were true. I told him while Archie was sitting in his car, waiting for the gym to open, his gun went off & it shot him in the "fanny" in 3 places! But, the good news is, after he got bandaged up at the hospital, he did make it back in time for our game! (Many more colorful stories from the past to come in the future!)
