Commentary

The ending was the same as the tenure-filled with class, grace, gratitude and humility. Yesterday, men’s head basketball coach Lorenzo Romar resigned to become the head coach at the Univeristy of Washington.

But Saint Louis University and the city of St. Louis lose much more than a coach. They lose a role model and a man who cared more about his players’ successes in life than on the basketball court.

He had no ulterior motives. Players’ success in life was a given. The foundation that he built for them wouldn’t allow for anything less. Greatness comes when you give from your heart and soul.

Romar didn’t expect anything more from players than he expected from himself. He saw to it that his players would graduate.

He was proud of the program’s graduation rate, but more proud of the graduates who created it.

He admits to loving them like sons. And it shows. He made an investment in them by investing himself. His players lose a father figure and confidant.

“We’re not only losing a coach, we’re losing a friend,” said junior point guard Marque Perry. “He’s as good a person off the court as he is on the court.”

“I’m shocked and sad,” said sophomore forward Chris Sloan. “You don’t know how big an emotional hole that leaves.”

“I’m happy for him,” said junior forward Chris Braun. “It’s a great opportunity for Coach.”

There’s a reason that a vast array of emotions fill players and fans. He touched everyone he met during his journey at SLU.

Whether it was talking with a student in the Quad or teaching a player how to play the game, he cared. When he asked how you’re doing, he was genuinely waiting for an answer. For five minutes or for four years, you were the most important thing to him.

His coaching showed the respect he possessed for his players and everyone associated with the game. He never cursed around his players. He never cursed at the referees. Believe me, he had the opportunity.

Any technical that he got was earned looking out for the welfare of his players.

He taught them how to play basketball. And in the process, he taught them how to be men.

People who say that sports can’t translate into life never played for a coach who actually cared about them.

Ask any of the Billikens and their response will show you how fine that line truly is.

This decision couldn’t have been easy for Romar. His emotions were evident throughout the press conference yesterday. The pain wasn’t for what he was losing. It was for who he was losing.

His bond with his players and loyal fans in St. Louis was evident each time he was too overcome to speak. All you had to do was look at his face and you know what he’s all about-other people.

His players, his coaching staff, his associates at the University. Even the St. Louis media. There aren’t many coaches who would enjoy dealing with the media at such an emotional time, let alone thank them for their support during his tenure. Pure class.

Romar once said,”They [the players] don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

I wonder if he meant in basketball or in life? The way he carries himself, I can’t really tell.

Maybe that’s the whole point. Just let it consume you and good things will come.

Congratulations, Coach, on the new opportunities that lie before you in Washington.

We’ll all miss you.