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A New Picture of the Ol’
Man
“We’re reading a
book about Father Bray?” I thought to myself
as I saw the summer reading list for my Literature
of Sport class. “You’ve got to be
kidding me!” Of all the great sports heroes
in history, I could not believe we were starting
the course learning about someone I recognized
only as a former coach involved in the athletic
program at Iolani. What could possibly be so great
about Father Bray? Sure, the athletic complex
at school bears his name and he supposedly has
some connection to the “One Team”
concept embraced by Iolani, but he coached well
before my parents were even born! Although I knew
virtually nothing about Father Bray as a person,
I assumed there was little we could gain by studying
a man who coached high school sports in Hawaii
over fifty years ago. I was wrong. I was moved
and impressed as I read The Ol’Man and my
views of Father Bray changed dramatically. Learning
about his character, values, and teaching style,
I came to fully appreciate his importance and
the lasting impact he has had on Iolani School.
Father Bray’s character
makes him an excellent role model for others.
He was a selfless man who worried less about his
personal well-being than that of his players.
He lived simply and appeared to find more joy
in spending his wages on the boys than on himself.
He insisted on the best equipment, and if Iolani
would not pay for it, he funded it. He even shared
his home with his players! He would do almost
anything to help ensure the success of his boys.
Father Bray was strict, but also warm and caring.
He might kick a player in the pants for breaking
a rule, but he would also be quick to give them
a hug or pat on the back when they deserved one.
Father Bray’s devotion to helping his players
become better people made a strong impression
on me. Rather than just being a coach who wanted
to win or have his players perform, he seemed
dedicated to ensuring they were good young men
with excellent character.
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The book also gave me greater
appreciation for Father Bray because of the important
values he taught his players. He emphasized the
importance of being humble in victory. He did
not want his players to be arrogant or obnoxious
when they won and played down individual accolades.
Nevertheless, he also wanted his players to have
pride and made sure they kept their heads up when
they played well. Father Bray also taught his
players the importance of hard work. He did not
tolerate laziness and pushed his players to 100%
effort all of the time. A strong believer in the
importance of team, Father Bray emphasized that
everyone on the team was important – whether
they played or not. He worked hard to ensure no
player was left out; if one member received food,
for example, everyone did. His concept of One
Team permeated all he did. Such values are not
easy to instill in young, teenage boys and Father
Bray’s ability to teach them to his players
was very impressive. Because he lived the values
himself and put them into practice daily with
his players, he was able to show the importance
of the values. He also made adhering to them a
requirement and eventually a habit.
My admiration for Father Bray
grew too because as I read The Ol’ Man,
I recognized and came to more fully appreciate
the lasting impact he has had on Iolani. I never
imagined that so many of the qualities we strive
for at Iolani today have their roots with Father
Bray. The values Father Bray worked so hard to
instill in his players continue to live on at
Iolani today. Hard work, discipline, respect,
humility, pride, and teamwork are values that
are emphasized in academics and athletics. The
concept of One Team has much more meaning for
me now that I have seen it in the context of Father
Bray’s teachings. As I finished the book,
I had to admit I was somewhat embarrassed that
a man I had dismissed as just an old coach, was
such an impressive character. I saw how much this
simple man taught, how significantly he impacted
his players, his school and his community, and
how his legacy continues to shine.
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