CHS thanks longtime coach for dedication

“Thank you,” remains a phrase often uttered.

At times it is said out of habit and common courtesy, without much sincerity, thought or emotion, like when the cashier at a store hands you your receipt and change. Then there are the times when a firefighter or bystander rushes into a burning building and rescues someone or someone donates an organ that saves a life; the emotion, sincerity and thought are virtually palpable.

So, where does that leave us at Colony High School? What type of thank you would be appropriate for Don Witzel?

Don retired two years ago from teaching at Colony High School and just this month stepped down as our head girl’s basketball coach.

Sure, sure, sure some might say. Coaches come, coaches go. What’s the big deal?

Well, let’s look at Don’s accomplishments during his CHS tenure. There are the four state championships and three runner-up finishes, eight conference titles, a 308-115 (73 percent) won-loss record at CHS.

All in a 15 year span.

There are his two 4A Alaska Coach of the Year awards to accompany the three Region III Coach of the Year accolades he garnered. There are the All-State, Gatorade Player of the Year and All-Americans that he coached. Heck, why limit his contributions to the state and local levels?

Don served six years on committees at the national level in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. Then there are the number of women he coached who went on to play basketball in college and professionally. That’s quite a track record of successes and has done much to focus attention on Don and Colony during the many basketball seasons.

I recently talked with Don and asked him about his accomplishments. His response was enlightening and merits sharing with others.

“Each state championship was a terrific experience, but the thing that really pleases me is to see the success our girls have beyond high school in the real world,” he said. “Not just the girls who went on to play in college, but every one who has found success in whatever career they have chosen. I like to think that competing in sports helped prepare them all to compete in the adult world.”

Cyd Duffin, principal at CHS for seven of Don’s 15 years, said, “Coach Witzel is in a league of his own when it comes to coaching and his legacy will be long-lasting in our school. His skills as a coach, his diplomacy and his temperate demeanor are a rare combination. I can’t begin to express how much he will be missed by all of us.”

If you know Don, you know him to be unassuming, even-keeled, passionate about his charges (whether athletes or students) and to be a caring man committed to bringing out the best in those with whom he comes in contact. Mike Boyd, CHS Activities Director, worked with Don for 14 of his 15 years. According to Boyd, “Don was not only a good coach, he was a good teacher and a good man. Despite his many awards and successes, Don was selfless working with kids so they would succeed. He had nothing but the best interest of kids at heart.”

Fifteen years in one place is a long time to be positively impacting the lives of so many young people and playing an integral part in years of success for Colony High School. In the end it comes to this: While you may not have rushed into a burning building or other heroic act, your selfless efforts and sacrifices for the betterment of CHS speak volumes to your Herculean caring and commitment. Don, on behalf of the hundreds of students, athletes, staff members, parents and others you have influenced, coached, mentored or served with, we extend to you our most sincere and heartfelt thank you!

Michael Looney is an assistant principal at Colony High School.