September 20, 2011
I played in my first Steve Dean Golf Tournament last Thursday.
It was the 29th tournament and remarkably, the two men who got it all started are still involved. I met Danny Boyle and Joe Howard, both close friends and 1967 classmates of Steve Dean. It was humorous and moving to hear from these two loyal friends of Steve about the genesis of the tournament. There was never any doubt that their experience at Our Lady of Good Counsel was full of fun and forged bonds that endure to this day.
Danny and Joe's words were echoed by many of the players I met with. They come year after year for the fellowship, and to catch up with classmates and friends they seldom get to see otherwise. The golfing provides the context for making a day of it—and any good play is simply a bonus.
Another feature of the day was that I played alongside my revered colleague, Mr. Tom Kolar of the Social Studies Department, now in his 47th year as a teacher at Our Lady of Good Counsel. I got to observe the genuine excitement of many, many players in seeing their old teacher and coach. Their fondness for someone who had played such a formative role in their school experiences was evident. For his part, Tom was gracious and modest. Every educator should receive such attention and affection.
As I reflect on the golf tournament and what it signifies for our community, it seems clear that the goal is the same today as it was when Danny, Joe, and Steve were together at the Wheaton campus. Catholic schools are all about bonding people to their faith community. In the continuing presence of a teaching great like Tom Kolar, the bond with the school takes on human form. Our Lady of Good Counsel High School is a place now, as it has been for more than fifty years, where students feel accepted and like they belong – where it's OK to strive, and OK to have fun.
And next year's Steve Dean? If I can just cure that slice...