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Former coach influenced many to a better life
by Menzo Hainline in Marion County Record
H. W. "Bill" Hargiss, who died recently an illustrious
career starting at Emporia
State University, was buried in Emporia, the town he loved, near the college from
which he started his career. He was a part of Kansas history. He was always connected
with athletics, having coached at Marion High School, Emporia State and the University
of Kansas.
I first met Bill in his office at Emporia State many, many
years ago, when I as a lad of 17 years arrived there to begin my college career.
I will never forget that first meeting, nor will I ever forget the long years of
friendship that have existed between the two of us.
This friendship, first between teacher and Pupil, or as
coach and players, which developed into more of a father-son relationship upon the
completion of my college career and then as we both grew older into a mutual camaraderie,
has been one of the high spots of my life.
It was Bill who inspired me to succeed as an athlete. It
was Bill who inspired me to succeed in my life's work and endeavors. It was Bill
who furnished hours of conversation and entertainment in later life. We met on many
occasions over the years—he in our home and I in his. Still on the schedule for
our meetings will be an unfulfilled date for November 4 this year.
Bill came on the scene of Kansas athletics in the early days
of this century. He was an excellent athlete in his own right, but on top of that
he had the ability to promote athletic ability in others.
In those early days, when Bill came to the State Normal and played fullback for
the college, athletics in our high schools and colleges was in one sense looked
upon as a game for rowdies and was not and "never would be" considered a part of
the school curriculum. Athletes were just to be tolerated until their efforts could
be forgotten.
Bill's was one of the early voices raised in the development
of the athlete in body and spirit. He contended that the athlete should develop
mentally as well as physically, that there was the letter A to be added to the three
R's of learning.
So his life in its entirety, and it was a long and rich
life, was spent in the world of athletics. However, the development of the body
was not the only thing he taught. He taught his students that it was necessary to
excel in every endeavor they undertook, to be honest and forthright and to respect
one's God.
Few people have influenced for good the lives of as many
people as has Bill Hargiss. His work was always with young people, and the men and
women who fell under his spell have lived and enjoyed a better life because of him.
While Bill received many honors and awards during his long
and busy athletic career the most rewarding to him was the help he could provide
for the young men who sat at his feet.
It seemed silly for the friends who gathered at his graveside,
to grieve at the passing of this remarkable man. We did it out of personal selfishness
at the loss of our dear friend.
At the same time we shouted with joy at the accomplishments
this man provided his fellow men. I know all of you join me in saying "Well done,
Bill. Your life's work was well done; may you rest in peace."
(Editor's Note: Menzo Hainline's remarks were taken
from the eulogy he delivered at Coach Hargiss' graveside. The first football coach
at Marion, Hargiss has been credited with many innovations of the game while coaching
at ESU and KU. He was also the track coach of the great miler Glen Cunningham at
KU. Harold "Dutch" Hauser of Marion visited with Hargiss when the 50-year-ago KU
football team gathered to honor their coach this fall. Many Marion friends, sports
fans and admirers' share Hainline's feelings.)
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