When I think of great high school basketball coaches, the first name that pops up to mind is Lucy C. Laney High School basketball coach Norman Bonner. Therefore, I applaud the Richmond County Board of Education for approving the recommendation for Laney's high school gymnasium to be named after this famed, sensational and ingenious retiring coach.
As an educator and coach, Mr. Bonner has not equaled, but he has excelled. He has been a phenomenal and positive influence on student-athletes. His legacy will be around forever.
I've always admired and been impressed with his mind as an educational scholar more than his basketball expertise. He's that rare breed of a coach who can articulate to student-athletes more than just the Xs and Os of basketball. He has a beautiful mind-set that allows him to articulate the big picture of life for these individuals.
Oprah Winfrey once stated, "You must surround yourself with people who are smarter than yourself because they will elevate you to higher levels of life's achievements." Of course, Mr. Bonner is one of these invaluable individuals who fits Ms. Winfrey's profile, because he has elevated the lives of thousands of his past and present student-athletes.
He's an old-school coach who has never exploited or mistreated any student-athletes. He always promoted the positive well-being of these individuals. He isn't like many of today's high school coaches who are more concerned about their self-aggrandizement instead of the positive welfare of their student-athletes.
Mr. Bonner is a Lucy Laney legend for all of life's correct reasons. And I'm just elated that I have had the opportunity to learn something from this great American. I wish him well as he pursues other endeavors. He has been good, better and best.
E. Maner, Augusta
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