Reminisces – Larry Downing, ’62

I think it was a dream come true for any player that put on a Castle Rock Rocket uniform to play for Coach LeBaron. The character and ability of each player is different, and he had a way of bringing himself down to your level, working on your skills and then bringing them up to his level.

 He didn’t have the luxury of being able to trade for different players; he accepted what he had and made them into a class act. I’m also sure everyone remembers the book each player received at the start of the season with plays, the schedule, returning lettermen from opposing teams, etc. There was the section on “Food for Thought”; my favorite was: If your opponent isn’t a gentleman, you be one.

A player’s work ethic had to be “Give it all you have.” Coach could always, and I mean always, get a little more. He taught his teams confidence. Play your hearts out and you should win. If you were over-confident, chances are you would be handed the loss on a platter with a side order of humility.

Has the game changed? I’m sure some would argue this. We played for Coach in a “different time.” For that, I, personally, am thankful.