ATTENTION CLUB ALUMNS: We still need your stories, thoughts and/or memories about the Club! Please join us in putting together our 60 Years of Memories of the Club with your story. Below are stories and thoughts of the Club from Phillip J. Kahn and Kelly Mattern. Thank you Phil and Kelly!!! I still remember the phone call that my mom received asking her to bring me down to be part of the club and the boys’ basketball team that Ray Black and Dwight Inskeep were coaching. That phone call led to me meeting a lot of good friends and traveling around to play the game that I loved. I still remember all the games and practices as well as spending more time at the club playing pool, ping pong and making good friends. Many of the young boys that I met back then are great leaders in our community and still friends of mine today. Thanks for the memories. Philip J. Kahn 87 President Prince of Peace Catholic Schools ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We were new to the area, did not really know too many people in Madison or anything about the area. My son, Billy wanted to join wrestling. Billy had been diagnosed with ADHD. He really had a hard time, his self-esteem was low and he had trouble focusing. I thought wrestling would help him with the all the added energy he has. I was right. However not only did it help with that, it also helped with his behavior and his self-esteem. Billys coach was Jeff Jenkins; he is the most amazing human being. Billys first season he did not win one match. However, Jeff continued to praise him and work with him. The second season started out like the first. Then one night Billy surprised us all with the crotch lift. He administered this move, Jeff and I stood there at first then started screaming like two people gone mad. Billy won the match. Before the ref could even raise his hand Jeff was already on the mat with Billy in his arms jumping up and down. Of course, I stood there with proud tears. I will never forget this night. My sons self-esteem soared. I think he glowed for days over this. Not only was Jeff a coach he was also a mentor to Billy. He helped in many ways. As Ray Black did also. Later on Bobo Cosby had also been a great influence. I give a lot of credit to these three men for the man that my son turned out to be. Being a single parent I always felt I could turn to Ray or Jeff if I ever needed help. They were more than happy to give Billy guidance. I get compliments all the time about how respectful and kind my son is. I have to say I had the help of Ray, Jeff and Bobo. My son now lives in Louisville, he has his own apartment and plans to attend college in the fall all while working full time. Billys plans are to either work with animals or kids like himself. If it was not for the influence of the men at the Lide White Boys and Girls club I am afraid of what could have happened to my son, what path he could have went down. I am grateful every day that he had these people and this place to go to. You helped me raise a wonderful human being, for that I thank you. Kelly Mattern
Posted on: Thu, 05 Jun 2014 12:49:40 +0000
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