♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦  "He was an amazing teacher and a great friend.  He always went the extra mile for his students just so that they could succeed.  It is my honor and privilege to develop and maintain this website in his memory."

-Lee Karasik - MHS Class of 2005

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦   "He was the type of guy who would be out there during the day raking the field and picking up rocks, all beyond the call of duty. He was willing to spend his own time, just to make sure everything was perfect."

- Ken Garry, Monticello Athletic Director

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"He cared so much about the kids, each player. We had a good year my sophomore year. We were 8-8. The next year, we only won two games. But he never stopped coaching or teaching, and just pushed, pushed and pushed for us to try and get better."

- Rob Keesler, Monticello Jayvee Coach and former player (1995-97)

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"He didn't let the lack of talent keep us from wanting to be better people. I wasn't the best player, but I played hard - and he rewarded people for that. He always seemed to have two or three kids make the team because of their effort.

- Mike Greco, former Monticello player (1985-86) and volunteer assistant (1987-94)

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"He was probably one of my best teachers I've had in a long time. He was a big influence on why I'm debating on getting into history education.

"I wasn't an all-star at all, but he was very patient with me. I was more like the 12th man, but he found a way to make it work."

- Jeff Brink, former Monticello player (2005-06)

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"He was a real easy-going guy. Nothing bothered him. He loved baseball and you could tell his passion. He always talked to us, and told us he was open for suggestions all the time.

"Every year during spirit week, he would get dressed up like a Jamaican, with the tie-dye shirt and sunglasses. He was cool guy."

- John Lacey, Monticello senior pitcher/shortstop

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"He was not only a great coach, but a great friend. You could talk to him about anything.

"I hit my first home run in my last at-bat of our last game last year. It was a walk-off. It means a lot to me now that it was the last at-bat he ever coached."

- Ramon Ciprian, former Monticello player (2006)

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"He was a good man and a class act. That pretty much says it all. I really don't know anybody who had a bad word to say about him. All of us are in shock."

- John Law, former Monticello Assistant Coach (1997-2001)
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