Farewell to Oak Park's Dick Billingsley

I wanted to express my surprise and sadness to learn that this is Coach Billingsley's last year at the helm of Oak Park football.

I cannot possibly imagine Oak Park football without him. It is almost like trying to picture the Dodgers without Vin Scully. For me, Coach B., as we called him, represents everything that is good about high school football.

First and foremost, although he loves to win football games, his main priority is the character development of the young men he coaches. In today's high school football landscape, too often we see some programs focused only on winning, famous transfers and records, while neglecting to recognize what high school football is truly about.

Coach B. has known some of his players since they were in middle school or even younger and his main priority has always been to have a positive impact on their lives through football. He taught us teamwork, sportsmanship and character.

No matter what outside circumstances were at play in a game, whether it be poor officiating or a ridiculously uneven playing field, Coach B. taught us to focus on what we could control, the quality of our own play and he practiced what he preached. Rarely did Coach B. or any member of our coaching staff get penalized for arguing with referees.

From a player's perspective, sometimes it seemed that Coach B. had too good of a relationship with the refs. He always stood up for his players, but he knew when to pick his fights and was never tempted into saying anything negative about our cross-town counterparts even when plenty of opportunities presented themselves.

I will never forget the lessons in character that Coach B. taught me and my teammates and I know that he will be sorely missed by the players and families he impacted.

I have no doubt his legacy will live on, both in all of the trivalley league championship banners that currently hang from the Oak Park gym and in his effect on all of our lives. The character and attitude brought to Oak Park football by Coach B. will not be lost.

The style of football Oak Park played and will continue to play will serve to honor the coach long after he is retired.

Thank you for everything, Coach B. I will never forget everything you taught me. Mark Hirsch Oak Park