LETTER: Thanks and farewell to Gene Speelman

High school sports are the purest form of sport left in America — a town’s kids (in most cases) playing for the good of their school against another town’s kids. My school versus yours. Our group of teenagers against your group of teenagers. Young people practicing the acts of teamwork, dedication and sportsmanship in front of enduring fans. And sports reporters covering the efforts of these kids and their coaches and revealing the results of last night’s game in tomorrow’s paper.

Gene Speelman was one of those reporters. He was one of those reporters that would sit up in the corner of the bleachers with his yellow pad and pen and record the game blow by blow so he could accurately depict it in the next day’s article. Other than maybe a quote or two from a player or a coach, just the events of the contest. The runs, the comebacks, the outstanding performances and the stats. No analysis, no criticism, no suggestions and no commentary. Just the facts. These were kids, after all!

So, on behalf of the area coaches and kids over the years that enjoyed reading up on last night games, thanks Gene Speelman. Rest in peace. —Jim May, Libby 

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Longtime Daily Inter Lake sports reporter Gene Speelman died earlier this month at the age of 72. Although he had been long retired from journalism, his colorful writing and storytelling is still missed by many.)