I had a great experience in 12 years in the Anchorage public school system. I think of Mr. Dutton, chemistry; Mr. Gruhn, physics; and Mr. McKelvey, my debate teacher at West High. They helped prepare me for college. Academic teachers. They gave me my A's and my letters of recommendation.
The recent obituary of my high school gym coach caused me to re- visit that non-academic experience. Bill Wiltrout instructed tens of thousands of West High boys in gym. He died Dec. 16.
I didn't know he played minor league baseball for the Pirates. I didn't know he graduated magna cum laude. I didn't know his wife got a Fulbright Scholarship. I didn't know he had a graduate degree. I didn't know he'd been married to the same woman for 50 years. I didn't know.
Mr. Wiltrout didn't like me very much. I was lucky to get B's in his class. I was slow, short and had no athletic ability. I ran the 100 in 14 seconds, and the mile in 12 minutes. I couldn't jump the minimum 36 inch high jump. There wasn't much for a gym teacher to like.
Mr. Wiltrout chose one student in each class to give a hard time to. "How's the old man, Cuddy?" "You're slow, Cuddy." "Take another lap, Cuddy." I was surprised when he chose me to captain one of the class volleyball teams. But over the course of the year, I saw the twinkle in Mr. Wiltrout's eyes when he pushed me and teased me. He smiled with his eyes. He had his private jokes. He laughed, but laughed with us, not at us. It took me a year to understand that he didn't really hate me. He must have seen something in me, and he brought it out.
Over the next two years at West, I became captain of the wrestling team, and a pretty good wrestler. I was the top tennis player at West in 1970. I was captain of the swim team and had a couple of state records. I gained several elected leadership posts. The kid with no athletic ability or leadership skills became an athlete of sorts and a leader.
When I think of the teachers who influenced, challenged and helped me, I have to think of Bill Wiltrout. I hope he was proud of how I turned out, and I hope he knew the role he played.
Teaching is a tough job. It is an important job. It is more difficult today than it was 40 years ago. My sister teaches at Dimond. My daughter teaches fifth grade in Vancouver. They tell me of the challenge of teaching to students who have no home support and come from totally dysfunctional families. Five of my daughter's students' fathers were serving time in prison last year as she taught them. They have regular "lock downs" with kids who bring guns and knives to school. It is a tough school. I hope 40 years from now, these students think of them, and appreciate the personal attention they were given. I hope the folks in our Anchorage community ask teachers what we can do to help better support them (no ... not more money).
I have had the privilege of coaching a junior high wrestling team (Central Junior High), teaching Junior Achievement classes, speaking at a West High school graduation, timing at East High swim meets, and judging debate tournaments. I'd like to think that Bill Wiltrout would be proud of my contribution, and my wish for the new year is that more Alaskans give back to the schools that helped nurture all of us. Teachers have a tough job and are in position to positively influence our children. They need all of the support we can give them, and gratitude for a job well done.
Thanks, Mr. Wiltrout.
David Cuddy attended Inlet View Elementary, Central Junior High, and West High School.
By DAVE CUDDY