During his roughly 20-plus years as the EVENING OBSERVER sports editor starting in the early 1970s, Bill Hammond spent countless hours on the phone with area high school coaches. Among them, basketball coaches stood out as the most entertaining group. Hammond describes them as highly intelligent motivators and communicators, often with a wicked sense of humor. These coaches could recall plays with amazing clarity, report detailed statistics, and provide valuable insights for crafting game stories, win or lose.
One of Hammond’s favorite coaches was Bob Uszacki, who would humorously introduce himself as “Dunkirk’s own Bob Uszacki,” poking fun at the repetitive reference to him in the newspaper. Other standout coaches included Jeff Franze and John Murgatroyd at Brocton, Tom Herring at Forestville, Rick Anderson and Mike Cummings at Mayville, Mike Tramuta at Dunkirk, Roger Moore at Fredonia, Al Carpenter at Cassadaga, Jim Emerson at Lake Shore, Dick Girst at Pine Valley, and Curt Raymond at Silver Creek.
After six years as a sports editor, Hammond decided to try his hand at refereeing basketball games. He underwent rigorous training under the legendary local officiating Board 39 interpreter, Roger MacTavish. Despite facing challenges and tests, Hammond eventually became eligible to officiate games featuring the very coaches who had been his regular contacts for game reports and conversations.
Hammond’s experiences as a basketball official brought him face-to-face with the unique personalities of the coaches he had interacted with over the years. Some coaches, like Curt Raymond, were known for their volatile and animated behavior on the sidelines, often clashing with officials and receiving technical fouls. Despite their quirks, these coaches were also quick with compliments, albeit sometimes laced with humor or sarcasm.
One memorable incident involved Coach Dick Prince from Brocton, who delivered a memorable speech to his player after a foul call, showcasing his ability to command attention and deliver quotable lines. Similarly, Coach Mike Mangano from Frewsburg displayed a mix of humor and honesty when addressing a foul call during a game officiated by Hammond.
In conclusion, Hammond reflects on the entertaining and sometimes challenging interactions he had with high school basketball coaches during his time as a sports editor and later as a basketball official. Despite the occasional conflicts and colorful personalities, Hammond appreciates the wit, intelligence, and humor that these coaches brought to the table, making his experiences both memorable and enjoyable.
