We BHS students of the 1960s note with sadness the passing of Mr.
Gibbons, teacher and coach and innovator who dedicated so many years of
his life to our quality education in the Brookings school system. There
is no better summary of a Life Well Lived than his obituary. Here is a link: https://www.eidsnessfuneralhome.com/obituary/harry-gibbons?fh_id=16086 . May we all live a life filled with even a fraction of his
contributions to our society!
Under the category of "innovator," back in 2014 I wrote an entry in this blog that recalled just how innovative Mr. Gibbons could be on a football field when the situation demanded creativity. Did you know, for example, that he performed improv theater while on the sidelines? True story! Read on...
In the waning seconds of a hard-fought 1966 Watertown football game (their homecoming!), we Bobcats were leading 7-6, which turned out to be the final score...but just barely.
Watertown was driving, 4th down on the Brookings 20-yard line. They
called a timeout with about a minute to go. If they could get a first
down, they could sustain the drive. In those days, only ONE player per
team could come to the sideline and talk to the coach during a timeout.
More than one would be an unsportsmanlike penalty, and such a penalty against the
Bobcats would give Watertown a first down on the 10-yard line. Sure enough, right on cue, TWO of
our defensive players headed for Mr. Gibbons for instructions. Yes, TWO
... as in one too many. Mr. Gibbons saw the problem and started waving
and yelling for one to go back to the huddle. Both guys kept
a-comin'. An official was nearby, hand on flag, ready to toss.
Mr. Gibbons the Innovator came up with a plan. He randomly grabbed some
startled player from the bench, shoved him onto the field of play, and
told him to go join the huddle. When the other two players got to the
sideline, Mr. Gibbons grabbed one of them and wordlessly tossed his
surprised butt onto the bench. Mr. Gibbons was --see, Mr.
Official, see?-- making a SUBSTITUTION during that timeout. Honest, Mr.
Official, honest!
Mr. Gibbons then calmly went back to that second guy who had come to
the sideline, chatting with him for the rest of the timeout. The
official either bought the substitution subterfuge, or just plain
enjoyed the comedy routine. He took his hand off the flag and walked
away. Close call, no penalty, we stopped the drive, and won the game,
in large part due to Mr. Gibbons' improv-theater skills.
Do you suppose there is an acting-class credit somewhere on Mr. Gibbons' college transcripts? If so, it paid off that night in Watertown.
We are thankful to have known him, and will miss him.
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