Traverse City Record-Eagle

Terry Wooten: Elders Project

Related Photos

  • The Elk Rapids football team. Special to the Record-Eagle

    CSSC223.jpg
October 4, 2010

Lifelines: Tackle with wooden leg

By Terry Wooten, Local columnist ----

We hadn't finished shaking hands, or sat down before the stories began. The conversation ranged back and forth from football to basketball, sometimes in mid-breath. The wind off Lake Charlevoix was loud as the laughter.

This summer I met up with four aging boys from my hometown of Marion. They were on a pilgrimage of sorts to visit their old coach. Wally Dietze was born in Boyne City, and is now retired there. From 1948 to 1961, when he left for Bay City, Wally Dietze was sports in Marion.

During the afternoon one thing was clear. These guys love their old coach. He guided them to shining moments in their lives. Sports and art can do this.

Don Glowicki is just as dear to Elk Rapids. He mentored hundreds of boys who are now men. While being interviewed by Elk Rapids students Erin Gologin, and football player Jeff Xaver, it was obvious the feeling is mutual. "I'm still in contact with many of my players," said Glowicki.

In 1947 Wally did his intern teaching and coaching in Elk Rapids. When the superintendent made him coach, he gave Wally the ball. The school had one ball. When Glowicki retired they had at least a couple dozen pigskins.

Wally Dietze The Wooden Leg

Morris Lee had his leg cut off

in a haying accident

by one of those sickle mowers

when he was three or four.

He had a wooden leg

and didn't have much lateral movement,

so I made him a tackle.

In football practice

I let him carry the ball.

You could hear that wooden leg

go clickety, clickety, click.

You'd better hurry up

and get ready to tackle him,

or fall down

before he ran over you.

In 1954 in the Harrison game

Morris broke his wooden leg

in the second quarter.

I had somebody take it down

to the hardware store,

probably the owner's brother.

He screwed a couple metal strips

up both sides.

When he brought the leg back,

the referees

wouldn't let Morris play

until those screws

and metal strips showing

were covered with tape.

Morris's brother always stood

on the sidelines

with a toolbox

during the games

in case shear pins, cords or screws

came loose.

-- Terry Wooten

Don Glowicki Glowicki Field

We came to Elk Rapids from Bay City

in the 1959-60 school year.

I had to look on a map

to find Elk Rapids.

Driving up Elk Lake Road

I saw a couple cherry farmers

planning strategy on their crops.

I stopped to get more directions,

and they pointed me up the road.

The town was nothing

like it is today.

Every other building was closed.

The middle school was the old high school.

It was ninety degrees when we pulled in.

The superintendent looked at me

and I looked at him.

I said, "What do you want

to know about me?

I'm here for an interview."

We talked for a few minutes

and he said, "I'll call you tomorrow morning.

I have another interview.

If you want the job

coaching all sports,

being athletic director,

and teaching…you can have it

for four thousand dollars a year.

I still have my first contract.

It was six man football

when I started coaching here.

I didn't know

what six man football was.

I took the chain markers

and stretched them out.

It was fifteen yards for a first down.

Wish I'd saved

some of those leather helmets.

You could squash the sides together.

Nose guards were unheard of.

I started eleven man football

in Elk Rapids.

We had to enlarge the field.

-- Terry Wooten

Don Glowicki Fearless Frankie

Elk Rapids had the ball.

Mancelona was on defense.

I told Fearless Frankie, "Get out there!"

"Ah, ah… what do I do?" (Laughs)

"Get out there

and play your position!

We're on offence!"

Both schools' colors

are black and orange.

Fearless Frankie ran out

and tapped a Mancelona guy

on the shoulder. (Laughs)

The Mancelona player looked at him

and ran off the field.

Fearless Frankie

got everything turned around.

I don't know which guy was funnier …Fearless Frankie,

or the guy from Mancelona

who ran off the field. (Laughs)

-- Terry Wooten

Poet Bard Terry Wooten has been performing and conducting writing workshops in schools for 27 years. He is the creator of Stone Circle. Learn more about him at www.terry-wooten.com.

Text Only