My Eulogy for Legendary

Woodlan Football Coach Leland Etzler

MAKE IT HAPPEN - It's hard to talk about a legend. It's even harder when it's

Leland Etzler who wouldn't say  two words, if one would suffice

September 7, 2018

I’m here because I’m a Woodlan guy who didn’t play football…

I know, it doesn’t make a lot sense. It didn’t then.. Makes even less sense today. But, even in not playing Coach Etzler's influence is heavy on my life.

In my mind I wasn’t athletic enough, fast enough, strong enough…looking back… with those impressive credentials…and the limited talent - I would have fit right in.

That’s because coach was always turning coal into diamonds. That's what a coach does.

Woodlan wasn’t exactly known for NFL prospects.

There’s not a day when I don’t think about it.

My regret is a deep one. It's not a crushing one, it's one that's empowered so many other things.. But they all have there origin that heartbreak. That’s why Woodlan football and coach Etzler mean so much to me.

But, trust me, that's a good thing.

It’s pushed me to not settle, to try, to dig in and not be deterred… to make it happen

That’s really the only option for a goofy, backwards, yes even shy kid. If you got in a time machine and went back to the 1980s.. You might be stunned to see me doing this.

Fast forward (cough, cough, cough) years… i’ve written hundreds of articles for publications like USA Today, The Associated Press, the Houston Chronicle and broadcast thousands broadcasts… I’m no Steve Warden. But I’ve gutted by way through... Kinda like what Woodlan football taught,, that's what a coach does.

This isn’t about me. Let me get out of the way. This about how the influence - even indirect - still touches me

The 1981 Team - those 17 days in November … an improbable run where the Warriors weaved their way to the state finals. I still feel the bitter cold of Lawrence Central...  Devin, Barry, Mitch.. Do you remember that Hamilton Southeastern coach who wore shorts...those arctic conditions? I am still shivering

Coach downplayed the success… saying it was a bunch of dumb farm boys who didn’t know they were supposed to lose.

No it think it was more stubbornness…  bunch of farm boys who found ways to win, to make plays and play out of their minds...that’s what a Coach does.

Make the improbable possible. To..well make it happen.

They did..they did indeed.

Some of you guys are here today - - and they’d tell you if you prodded enough they’d tell you they are still making it happen.

But really stood out was his integrity … My brother Dale was played for coach in 1979.  As junior he was an honorable mention all-ACAC defensive tackle in limited games…he couldn;’t play his senior year.. An IHSAA rule - you couldn’t play when you were 19. It’s since changed.

My brother told me just yesterday… “Coach said, we can probably let you play, no one's gonna know you are 19.. And think you are 18. ...he paused

..but… I will know..

You will know.

And we’ll remember...we can’t .

When coach talked we listened. He didn’t say a lot of words so we probably were listening to make sure he was actually talking.  

And when he did talk... It was wisdom. Usually in the form of one-liner. Everyone loved his one liners.

When he smiled, he lit up a room. When he laughed. We all laughed.

Coach chose his words… Dugan Fry the WOWO Radio personality told this story at the 1981 banquet. Some of you may remember it… if you don't that okay there two lessons.. First don’t tell something to a kid.. They’ll repeat it - thats what i am about to do - It was a camping trip, there was a rule if you complained about the food...you had to cook…because Coach wasn’t much of a complainer, they knew they’d have to pull out the big guns…. Playing dirty

… the story goes.. One of the guys cooking went to a nearby farm to get a cow patty...they pressed it together, made it look like a hamburger or sausage… and fried it up… Coach didn’t flinch.. When the trip was over coach reportedly said. “What did you cook Thursday night… that was horrible.. I about gagged it was so bad..

… Well, it's a lesson that Coach wouldn’t say crap. If he had his mouth full of it.

He lived in the details. He loved the details .. i think it was 2003 before a sectional title game. I was doing the broadcast so i came to interview him… he was in the new football building. I arrived early.. .he was sorting uniforms or maybe looking for damaged uniforms.. But what got me was how much he loved the game.. He would do the laundry… not the manager…it wasn’t about control, he loved the game that much

He was so much about the details, the details were the big picture. You focus on the little things, the big things work out.

They did work out… I think one is known by the kids they raise and what those close to them say… SO I’LL tell you this.

I’ve had a chance to get to know the late Terry Hoeppner, when he was at Miami and later IU. When I told him I was a Woodlan guy. Everything changed. I was family. This family today. He would give me a hug. He even introduced as his “friend” from Woodlan to his life.  It wasn’t me, it was that I represented Woodlan and what coach stood for.

He also told me a secret about Coach Etzler… i’m going share it with you he had a nickname..because he was such a good looking man. I still hear Terry laughing.. Saying “ we call him the Fox.”

Then there’s Keith Fielder - another one of the coaches who reached prominence who played at Woodlan - I broadcast a game at Carmel. Keith knew I was a Woodlan guy - I might as well have been royalty. Woodlan is royalty if you are a Woodlan guy. He opened up the stadium showed me around and spent 45 minutes probably -after a loss...he was so proud of his roots and Coach...and he let me know it.

It doesn't matter who it was Barry Ehle, Lucas Smith or Lee Etzler - it's the same treatment..

Again it was because I was in the family. And I say this because If you are in the family you are treated like family. Every Woodlan player or coach I’ve ever known as been the same way.. That’s because of Coach Etzler. period.

But I want to do something right now.. if you coached because of him.. Or coached with him. Stand up.  I don’t’ need to this. Because you know he touched so many lives. But I want to give you a picture of what one person can do.

Look around… do the math.. 20, 30, 40, 50, kids a year… over 5,10,15, 20 years…and that's only what we can estimate.

That picture, leaves us with the type of legacy and influence that pastors can only dream of. The few words he spoke continue to echo in our ears and our children’s hearts. And His legacy will continue to ripple across the water for years go come.

But before I leave -- I want to clarify some terms I’ve heard the last few days.  Leland Etzler wasn’t a legend…

Legends are mythical, full of fibs and embellishment. Often times unverifiable

Leland Etzler wouldn’t like being called a legend. He was real, he was flesh and blood. We saw it.No there is no legend its fact. Just a tribute to what honesty, integrity, hard-work and humility can do … his greatness was his simpleness, his humility. ...

You can have that type influence too, if you only make it happen.