Dear Editor,
In light of the recent incident Gilroy High School boys varsity
basketball coach Bud Ogden had with the referees at the Salinas
basketball game, I think some of the positives of Coach Ogden
should be addressed.
Dear Editor,
In light of the recent incident Gilroy High School boys varsity basketball coach Bud Ogden had with the referees at the Salinas basketball game, I think some of the positives of Coach Ogden should be addressed.
Coach Ogden grew up in a very accomplished family. His father fought in WWII where he was a three-time recipient of the Purple Heart and a Congressional Medal of Honor winner. His father was nominated for the state Congress, and when he turned down that nomination he was appointed head of the California Selective Service by Ronald Reagan. Mr. Ogden was a strict and moral man and made sure that carried through to his four sons.
Coach Ogden was a member of the Boy Scouts of America and obtained the rank of Eagle Scout. Coach Ogden also grew up with a strong religious background, which would shape his life. He was one of four boys that were extremely competitive. His brother Jim was an All-American swimmer, his brother Fred was the record holder at his high school for the high jump and his brother Ralph played college basketball at Santa Clara University and later professionally with the Golden State Warriors. Bud himself was an All-American at Santa Clara University, an invitee to the 1968 Olympic trials, and a first-round draft pick for the Philadelphia 76ers where he played for two years.
After his time in the NBA, he came back home to San Jose and stayed active with his church. When his children were young he was the president of the Sunday school classes at his church and he has continued to volunteer at various events throughout his life. He has also ran Christian-based basketball camps since he retired form the NBA.
He has been in education now for the last 14 years. Prior to Gilroy High School, he was a teacher and coach at Valley Christian High School where he lead his team to the Northern California playoffs on several occasions. He is now a special education and math teacher at Gilroy High School.
Whether right or wrong, Coach Ogden was trying to protect his players. His actions at the Salinas game were inappropriate, he has admitted that and apologized for them. I think a man with the track record of Coach Ogden should be allowed to serve his suspension and get on with what he does best – and that is to help young men become better basketball players and men.
Jeremy Dirks, GHS Teacher,
Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach
