Former Galesburg High School girls basketball coach Evan Massey shares his insights on the game and other topics through his Massey Basketball blog, now featured here on WGIL.
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In athletics, there are so many people who are crucial to the success of a team, but their efforts go unrecognized. In football, the lineman throws the key blocks, the running back sprints thru and scores the touchdown. The running back is interviewed and gets their picture in the paper.
In basketball, the 12th man on a team works in practice and prepares the starters for the big game but then never gets into the game. The 12th man’s execution of the scout offense was crucial for the success, but they never get mentioned on the radio and seldom is anything written about them.
In sports and in life, a team, an organization, and a business’s success rely on individuals filling all sorts of roles. And society needs people who are willing to serve others with no concern for glory or recognition.
My neighbor and friend, Michael Hanlon is one of those selfless individuals who has always served others. As a high school student, he was a manager for the boys varsity basketball team. I decided it is time for Michael to have some light shined on him, so I asked him if he would talk to me so that I could do a blog post on him.
So on a beautiful September afternoon, Michael and I sat down on his patty to chat. Here is what he had to say:
Evan – You went to Costa and then to GHS. Most students are nervous when they first get to GHS because their junior high’s were smaller. Do you remember being nervous when you first went to GHS?
Michael – Yes, I was very nervous until I could find my locker and the cafeteria, then I figured out my combination. It helped having a big brother at the high school.
Evan – So you decided to become a manager. What are things you remember about your job as a manager?
Michael- I was really the “water boy.” When I was water boy, I didn’t act like Adam Sandler did in the movie Waterboy.
Evan – What do you mean?
Michael – In the movie, he didn’t work at it, I worked at it. A lot of people probably don’t think it is important, but the players are humans. Even players like Bob Cousy and Michael Jordan need fuel to keep going. My job was to make sure they got the water they needed to keep playing.
Evan – I talked to some of the players and asked them about your work. Zach Shay said the following about you: “Michael was a devoted Silver Streak basketball fan. His dedication, work ethic, and willingness to help in any way he could made an impact on the program. His commitment and managerial support he provided were invaluable to the team.”
It was obvious to me that all the players I talked to respected you for commitment and dedication. Who are some of the players you especially remember for those days?
Michael – There were a lot of players that were good to me and fun to be around. Benji Henson was a fun guy and a great guy to be around. There were a bunch, like Tommy Warner, RJ Wilson, and Andy Boyden that were really great guys and good basketball players. It always helped having my big brother around.
Evan – Obviously you are not all work, you like to have fun too. Joey Range said, “ Yes my freshman year. He was dedicated, hard working, he definitely loved being around the guys and always quick witted a couple times Coach Swanson had to pause talking because Michael would say something that mad us all laugh!! He has always been awesome.”
So what were you saying to get the guys laughing?
Michael – I used to have a bunch of joke books and I knew all the jokes. I would just repeat some of the jokes to the some guys and they would be laughing.
Evan- We can’t talk about when you were manager without talking about Sean. What made him so good?
Michael- He was dedicated. He was pretty good at baseball but he loved basketball. He was quick, and could run the fastbreak. The only person that I ever saw catch him on a fastbreak was Jason Lewis and that was only once. Sean could jump. He could dunk in junior high, nobody does that. By high school there were so many ways he could dunk. He can still play basketball and still dunk.
Evan – When you were manager, who was the best player?
Michael – There were a lot of good players and I know most would say Joey, but I think Sean was the best player.
Evan – OK, let me rephrase that, who was the best non-Hanlon player?
Michael – Joey was phenomenal. And I got to see all if his games his senior year when he and Patrick were teammates. It was amazing how he soared in the air and how fast he could run. Joey is Galesburg’s Michael Jordan.
Evan – Since you brought up the ‘98 team, tell me about Patrick as a basketball player.
Michael Patrick might have been a better shooter than Sean but not as good of a jumper. Patrick could do everything. He guarded big guys and little guys. He was never nervous. He was easy going and had a sense of humor.
Evan – How about you, was the ‘98 season nerve wracking?
Michael – Parts of it were- when we played Whitney Young, Manual, and Moline. A lot of the time it seemed like the other teams were intimidated. When they introduced the Galesburg players and said their record, it seemed like the other team would just look down and say, “What?”
Evan – What do you remember about the state tourney?
Michael – We were so good that everyone was rooting for Galesburg. Did you know that even Quincy fans were rooting for Galesburg?
Evan – I know, wasn’t that crazy for Quincy fans to be rooting for Galesburg and then Galesburg fans rooting for Quincy. Were you cheering for Quincy?
Michael – (With absolutely no hesitation) NO!
Evan – Me either, I couldn’t do that. Let’s shift gears. It is obvious you are a “dog person.” You have two dogs- Paddy and Molly. And you take care of our two dogs- Nellie and Minnie. Why do you like dogs so much?
Michael – They are loyal. They say that they are supposed to be man’s best friend, but I think they are really human’s best friends. I think it is true.
Evan – Our dogs go nuts when they see you, they love you. And your two dogs love you. What is about you that makes dogs love you?
Michael – Guess ‘cuz I am nice. The way you treat a dog, they will treat you. No one deserves a dog if they aren’t going to be nice to them.
Evan – You don’t always have time to play with the dogs because you go to work. Tell me what you do at work.
Michael – I work at Thrive. We try to help people less fortunate than us. Like we deliver food with FISH pantry. And I get a chance to paint. Right now I am a forest as my present package.
Evan – Where did your love of art come from?
Michael – I liked Mr. Connor’s at GHS with FFA, he took us to an Amish farm. And Mrs. Wells taught me math or science, and she was nice. Chris Dokolasa got me started with art. She gave me my start by teaching me techniques, so painting is my main thing now.
Evan – We talked about Sean and Patrick as basketball players. Tell me about growing up with two brothers.
Michael- Sean always have been and always will be the best big brother anyone could ask for. Now he is a good father.
Patrick was a great guy to be around, we both had a great sense of humor. I wouldn’t trade him for anything as a little brother. Patrick was good at everything- basketball, football, and baseball. I think he was the best quarterback to ever play football at Galesburg HS. When he threw that spiral, it was like a dart. I miss the heck out of Patrick.
All three of us had fun together. I still remember playing board games on Christmas Eve.
Joey Range – Absolutely Patrick adored Sean he definitely was his role model. Micheal had the best of both worlds with Sean being his awesome big brother with a heart of gold and Patrick who I believe was one of the most multi-talentend people I’ve ever been around as his baby brother. They always supported and encouraged each other so much so Sean and Patrick ended up getting to attend the same college which was awesome!!
Ted Trueblood – Michael was someone I always remember being proud of his family and of being part of the program, and seemed to always have a joke, observation, or topic to talk about that would end up in a conversation with laughs that always lightened the mood.
Matt Wheaton – “It’s been a while since I’ve seen or had a conversation with Michael, but what I remember the most about him is his infectious smile. If Michael ever had a bad day heading into a practice or a game one certainty wouldn’t know it, because he always had a smile on his face. I suspect that aspect hasn’t changed about him. Perhaps, Michael always had that smile because he was around the game of basketball – a sport he loved thoroughly. And, he was also able to be around his brother, Sean, who like myself is a Class of 95 grad.”
Karla Emery Hanlon- Michael brings such joy to our family. He loves family traditions and celebrations – any reason to bring people family and friends together. As a result, we have all come to look forward to and love the traditions we have made together.
Sean Hanlon – I loved having Michael as our basketball manager at GHS! My teammates did too. Michael has a huge heart and is forever proud of his family and the GHS hoopers he managed. But Michael’s pride for Patrick and me and other GHS hoopers pales in comparison to the gift he gave to Patrick and me.
Growing up with Michael taught Patrick and me the value of accepting others different than us. And the importance of being open and inclusive. We learned through Michael that someone with a (dis)ability can have tremendous abilities and attributes. And we certainly value and appreciate Michael’s gifts. Thank you for being YOU, Michael! We are so proud of you.
And watch out if Michael challenges you to a game of H-O-R-S-E, as he often did with my teammates and I when he was a manager! He will get ya!
Evan – Michael served others as a manager in high school. He has continued to try to serve his neighbors and his community. Michael is one of those people who makes Galesburg a better place.
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