Hanover wrestling coach Terry Conover never told his players he was retiring at the end of this season. Most of them probably heard about it through this article.
His initial silence made his speech before Tuesday night's 63-13 win over West York that much more significant. It was the first time he addressed his current players, former players, coaches and fans -- all at the same time.
Surrounded by his two sons and four grandchildren after a brief ceremony, Conover grabbed the microphone and talked the community regarding his decision and his feelings about his 37 years running the Hanover program.
"I've been successful, because I've been surrounded by fantastic people," Conover said. "To be successful in this life, you have to be in the right place at the right time."
Conover then mentioned numerous assistants that have been on his staff over the years and said: "One of the reasons I've been successful was I was smart enough back in 1971 to listen to these great people. You cannot do what we have been able to accomplish -- and I stress the word we -- by myself. You have to learn to give everybody responsibility and let them do their jobs.
"Hanover has let me do it my way. That's the old fashioned way. Right and wrong. Discipline. It's why we've been successful.
"The young men and the young ladies that we've touched are the reason that I stayed in the sport for 37 years. It's not about the wins and losses. Next Saturday, when I walk off the mat at Altoona for the last time, it will be the 800th match I've coached. And it's going to be tough. Those 800 matches are not what it's about, though. It's about the number of kids' lives that you've touched and the parents that you've replaced and the young men and young women that you've turned into young adults.
"Thank you very much and god bless you."
His short speech was followed by a standing ovation that lasted a full 30 seconds.
Before he addressed the packed gymnasium, I asked Conover what was the biggest thing that kept him pulling back to the sport and the position as he made his final decision to retire from the job last week.
"The number of wins we have at Hanover right now is No. 3 in the state and I was never raised to be happy with No. 2 or No. 3," Conover said. "That was one motivation. But you get to a point where the value judgment on whether it is even worth doing it or not -- to become No. 1 at this point in time, to give up your life and your grandchildren and your free time is a little tough to do. I've got four wonderful grandchildren that need me very much."
Tuesday's win gave Conover 566 for his career. The two coaches ahead of him are still active: second-place Ron Kanaskie of Danville came into this season with 583 wins and No. 1 Carl Schnellenbach of Ridley High School entered the year with 645.
Leave a comment