| NICK'S NOTES: Wednesday, May 30, 1979 |
Messinger proves again he's inspirational leader |
| By Nick Babcock Wenatchee World Sports Writer |
| Pat Messinger could give a
clinic on inspiration. Take his amazing Okanogan High baseball team for example, just one win away from the State "A" baseball championship Or his two Okanogan football teams that participated in the state playoffs. There was his Waterville Shocker football team of a few years back which, although out-manned, came within inches of knocking off the powerful Soap Lake Eagles. In each case, Messinger has taken a bunch of willing kids, and through hard work, determination, and tireless around-the-clock leadership, developed them into winners, both on and off the field. Messinger's background made him somewhat of an expert on football. He was a standout at Soap Lake during his prep days, played two years at Wenatchee Valley College under Frank Smith, then went big time to the Pacific Eight Conference at Washington State, where an injury curtailed his senior season at Pullman. At Wenatchee Valley College, he was an inspirational linebacker and carried this same intensity on to WSU, where coach Jim Sweeney termed him "pound for pound, the best in the Pac-10." Although smallish as Pac-10 lineman go, Messinger was converted into a defensive tackle while at WSU and met the very toughest and biggest guys head on. While Messinger had a background in football, baseball was another matter. In the spring, he competed in track during his high school days. Baseball concerned him little, something to do between football games in the fall and when the World Series aired on television. But when he arrived at Okanogan, the track team had a coach, the baseball team did not. Messinger took the job. Things didn't go well at first. There were long losing streaks, by embarrassing margins. He asked everybody about the finer points of the game, even non-authoritative sports writers. Slowly, the Bulldogs improved. There weren't any major league prospects at Okanogan, just good kids. And, as has happened everywhere coaching has taken Messinger, his teams produced, winding up on the winning side of the scoreboard more often than not. Why? Watching Messinger work quickly spells out the answer. He's a coach, father, friend, cheerleader, and disciplinarian, rolled into one. He encourages when necessary, consoles during tough times, gets tough when the situation demands it. Baseball's saved Messinger because he loves working with kids, not just in the classroom, but on the athletic field. If it wasn't for baseball, those coaching days would be over. Messinger got so wrapped up in football his health suffered. High blood pressure, leading to agonizing headaches, followed each game. He was doing too much on the sidelines. His heart was totally immersed with each player on the field. Each game drained him, mentally and physically. Two seasons ago, after directing the Bulldog football team to another post-season playoff appearance, the headaches didn't go away. Messinger had paid too high a price for winning. He knew it and the doctors confirmed it. It was time to get out. Messinger works just as hard now, ask his former football players ont he team, but, after all, baseball has been described as America's past-time. It's relaxing, at least most of the time. Football is anything but relaxing. Oh yes, Messinger remains just as inspiring to his teams as ever. He still has his moments. There were tears of thanks flowing freely down his face after Okanogan's baseball team had beaten DeSales to qualify for the State "A" championship game last weekend. Okanogan, four years ago being flattened by 10-run margins, had finally arrived. Ask anybody around Bulldog Country about Okanogan's baseball success. The answer should be unanimous: Pat Messinger's the reason why. |
| Okanogan Bulldogs |
Pat Messinger Football Coaching Record |
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