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B. Scott Anderson: Learning a little from Bailey |
Looks like I could learn
something from Pat Bailey.
The now former George Fox University baseball coach ascended up a
small riser to a tables Tuesday afternoon at the Valley Football
Conference Center on the campus of Oregon State University. He was
being announced as the new assistant coach for the OSU baseball
team.
As the press conference kicked off, there was a special seating
arrangement for members of the media. I quickly came in and found a
seat. After all, this was a specific area for media types. I’m used
to trying to run down a coach as they’re leaving the gym or field,
not having the coaches sitting there willingly answering questions.
So as I sat down, the press conference commenced with Oregon State
head coach Pat Casey speaking, followed by Bailey. As Bailey’s
speech ended, OSU sports information director Steve Fenk told the
crowd that the coaches would then start fielding questions from the
media.
That meant me and a couple of others.
Fenk handed a microphone to two other reporters so they could ask
questions the rest of the audience could hear. Because I was a good
four or five seats away, I wasn’t too sure if I was going to be able
to get a hold of the microphone to ask the few questions I had.
As more and more questions were asked, I finally decided to pipe up
and ask Bailey my questions. Sure, I didn’t have a microphone, but I
just made the most of what I had — just as Bailey had for those 12
years at George Fox.
As the coach of the Bruins since 1996, Bailey’s overall record of
353-158 and national title in 2004 could define his tenure. He was
named Northwest Conference coach of the year eight out of the 12
years.
But the fact is that numbers have never defined Bailey. He’s a
people person. The staff at George Fox adores him. Players respect
him. That evidence was no more clear than last week when Bailey
phoned all of the returning players on the George Fox team to tell
them he had resigned from GFU.
Bailey said it was difficult because a few of the players he had
recruited, coached, taken road trips with, had over to his house and
eaten meals with weren’t thrilled he was leaving. In fact, they were
mad. And they let Bailey know.
“One of them called me the next day and apologized and that’s
understandable,” he said. “When you’re a college coach and you have
your players around for four years, you have a lot of opportunities
in your office for them to come in and they would talk about a lot
of other things besides baseball, so you build a close relationship
with your players.”
Along with his personal skills, Bailey is a perfectionist, evident
by a story he told Tuesday. A few years ago, he had a conversation
with former George Fox University president David Brandt. Bailey was
asked what he considered to be a successful coach. Bailey turned the
question around on Brandt and asked him what he thought a successful
coach was. Brandt said anyone who had a record of .500 or better.
That didn’t sit well with Bailey.
“Well, if I was only .500, I’d quit,” Bailey said. “I don’t like to
lose. That being said, I still think the most important thing in the
coaching ranks is to have a positive influence on young men’s
lives.”
Whether it’s Bailey’s drive for perfection, the way he treats others
or the fact that he has a dedication to help others, maybe we all
could learn something from Bailey. I know I did.
B. Scott Anderson is sports editor for
The Newberg Graphic |
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From July 14, 2007, Newberg Graphic
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