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November 6, 2008

Herzig feted at ceremony

By ERIC AHLQVIST
Cooperstown Crier

While Connie Herzig was trying to pick out an outfit for Monday’s Fetterman Award luncheon, she realized that much of her wardrobe represented her 17-year career as Cooperstown Elementary School physical education teacher and girls track coach.

Herzig received the Clark Sports Center’s annual Patrick C. Fetterman Award Monday, given to a member of the community who is dedicated to serving local youth, especially in the area of athletics. The recipient embodies the meaning of outstanding sportsmanship, inspired leadership and caring service and is named after the gym’s longtime associate director. During her speech, Herzig displayed a number of t-shirts she either had made or were given to her, most of which had sayings which represented her teaching and coaching philosophy.

``I’ve always tried to teach kids that how you live life is the most important thing,’’ Herzig said. ``If they try their best, and do their best, what more can you ask for?’’

Herzig displayed one t-shirt which read ``Fill a Bucket’’ which she wears to remind her students to try to help others and be positive.

``You can either fill someone’s bucket with a compliment or good deed, or be a bucket dipper by being mean or doing the wrong thing,’’ she said.

Herzig said coaching track is also a great vehicle to reinforce the same philosophies she teaches in elementary school.

``In track, you’re all alone, there’s no else to bail you out by making a big shot or scoring a touchdown,’’ she said. ``They have to rely on themselves, and it’s a great character building sport.’’

For 16 of her 17 years of coaching, Herzig worked with boys track coach Don Howard, a past Fetterman Award winner who retired from coaching in 2006. Howard and his wife were on a cruise Monday, but Howard wrote a letter which was read by Clark Foundation Chairman Jane Forbes Clark.

``You are the perfect example of what this award is all about,’’ Howard wrote to Herzig. Many of Herzig’s friends and colleagues also spoke after Herzig’s speech.

Cooperstown Superintendent Mary Jo McPhail said she admired Herzig for volunteering her time to the Red Hot Ropers, a popular jump rope program Herzig began at Cooperstown in 1992.

``For eight years Connie coached the program after school without pay before the district decided to pay her,’’ McPhail said.

Bud Lippitt, also a CCS Elementary Phys. Ed teacher, echoed McPhail’s sentiments, saying Herzig routinely stays into the evening hours working on school related activities.

``Your dedication is priceless, and you’ve led the way for me,’’ Lippitt said.

Herzig said she felt a bit like Huck Finn, when the Mark Twain character runs away from home and sneaks back to view his own funeral.

``Everybody usually says great things about you after you’re gone, but I’m still here,’’ Herzig joked.

She then ended her speech by saying: ``In the end, it isn’t about what you wear it’s what you choose to do, and how well you do it.’’

Past Fetterman Award winners include: 1994: Lavern ``Beanie’’ Ainslie; 1995: Jack Vineyard; 1996: Ted Kantorowski; 1997: Malcolm Brooks; 1997-98: Jerry Townsend; 1998- 99: Don Howard; 2000: Dick White; 2001: Pat and Ed Hazzard; 2002: Stephen ``Sharky’’ Nagelschmidt; 2003: Frank Miosek; 2004: Ted Spencer; 2005: Terry Bliss; 2006: Dave Adsit. 2007: Bob Snyder.

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