My recent column on the late Farrell basketball coach Ed McCluskey has prompted many responses, far too many to publish in the print edition. I’ll be adding new comments as I get them here on line. If you have a memory to share about The Coach, send me e-mail at jraykie@sharonherald.com

Raymond Purich, Farrell

I am a 1971 Farrell graduate. I have very much enjoyed the stories about Coach McCluskey. I never had the good fortune to play basketball for Mr. McCluskey, but I would like to share some memories that I have of him.

Mr. McCluskey was not only a storied basketball coach, but he was a wonderful teacher. I was a student in his American History class. I can still see him red-faced, leaning back in his chair, his black eyeglasses in hand, teaching history to our class as if he were having a personal conversation with each and every one of us. He never once looked at or opened his text book. He made history as interesting as history can be. This was due to his ability to teach it in a manner that went far beyond just proclaiming dates and events.

I was a good friend of Coach’s son Edward (EJ). I had the opportunity to spend time with him and his family. We would shoot pool in the basement family room. The walls were adorned with pictures, plaques, and awards which reflected Coach’s many accomplishments. During my visits Coach McCluskey always seemed to be on the phone. His desk was filled stacks of mails, newspapers, and periodicals. He always seemed to be dressed in a coaching shirt, grey slacks, and those white high top Chuck Taylor All-Star tennis shoes. It seemed as if he was ready to hit the hardwood at a moments notice. He and his wife were wonderful to me. They made me feel comfortable in their home; and I did. I have to tell you that I was in awe of that man. Coach always called me by my last name. He would tell me a one liner or a joke, which I’m sure his players heard at one time or another. He seemed to be very humble and relaxed at home. This was evident to me after he won the 1972 State Championship. I can still see him sitting on the edge of the bed in his hotel suite, accepting congratulations from family, friends, and well wishers. You would never know by looking at him that he had just won the biggest game in the State. He was obviously happy, but at the same time very relaxed and composed.

Finally, a few years later Farrell and Sharon were meeting for the final time at Sharon. Heck, it was Farrell and Sharon, and a big Section. – 3 match-up. The game was a sell out. I called A.D. Joe Duich for tickets and he told me none could be had. I took a chance and called Mr. McCluskey at home to perhaps see if he had an extra complementary ticket. I told him no tickets were available and I desperately wanted to attend the game. He said, “Purich here’s what I want you to do. Be at the school at 5:15pm on game day, follow the team bus to Sharon, and walk in and sit with the players.” I hopped into my 1967 VW Bug and did as he told me. The Sharon gym was packed way before the varsity game. Thanks to coach I got to see a wonderful Farrell Sharon game in a ring side seat. These are my personal memories of Coach Edward McCluskey. There are memories which I hold near and dear to my heart and will cherish forever.

Cornelius P. ‘Doc’ Adams, San Antonio, Texas

Every time I watch a basketball game -- high school, especially, but also college and pro (which I seldom watch, unless it's the Spurs in the playoffs) -- I think of Coach Mac, and how he created magic on the court. Watching his teams play was like watching a finely choreographed ballet!

The way basketball is played nowadays it's less than organized confusion -- people running around and shooting. And no defense! Mac's teams would kill those runaway teams with his patented weave and famous pass-and-cut plays -- performed with patience and precision -- and great defense. No doubt, Mac was the best!

Too bad others around the country didn't have the honor and pleasure to see him and his teams perform. And too bad, also, the country didn't have a chance to see his strict discipline in action. How many of the best basketball players at Farrell High found themselves sitting in the stands, instead of playing on the court, because they refused to go along with Mac's rules and regulations?

In covering the Steelers those years in the early 1960s for The Herald, I got to love and respect Mac as a great basketball coach. I guess God broke the mold for basketball coaches after Mac was born …

Marc Knezevich, Pittsburgh, Pa.