Bethpage-Tribune_2010-08-13

              aSTMPAOE PUBUC
How do you say goodbye to a legend? The
Bethpage School District and the community
mourn the passing of legendary football coach
Howie Vogts. Coach Vogts was a former teacher at
Bethpage High School and maintains the record for
the most victories in New York State high school
football. He was the only football coach in the his-tory
of Bethpage High School and the field in the
athletic complex is named in his honor.
He was a beloved figure in Bethpage and will
be remembered for his generosity. He had an
impact on thousands of young people over the
course of his illustrious career. As a football coach
he was second to none. As New York State's win-ningest
coach, the Bethpage Golden Eagles earned
3 Rutgers Cups, 5 Long Island Championships and
15 County Championships. Howie Vogts was a
great coach because he was a truly great man. He
cared about every player who proudly adorned the
blue and gold and he treated each player fairly and
respectfully. Sure, he knew if you were the star of
the team or a player still a bit wet behind the ears.
But what made him so special is that he never
made any player feel inferior to any other... no
matter where they stood in the standings.
Coach Vogts was a true winner as a coach
because to him it was simply not just about the
winning. It was about teaching his team about foot-ball
and sharing his love of the game. They were
all a team... Coach Vogts' team. And while most
will remember this great man for his extraordinary
talent on the football field, it is perhaps the lessons
he taught about teamwork, about graciousness,
about sportsmanship, about dedication and about
being a good person that has had the most impact.
He was a leader, and above all; a kind, caring and
compassionate human being.
Coach was an amazing husband, teacher, role
model, and father figure to so many in the
Bethpage community. Along with his accomplish-ments
in football, he was instrumental in starting
Bethpage's lacrosse and track teams as well as
forming the Dad's Club in 1955. Coach Vogts,
above all else, was a gentleman who touched the
lives of generations of Bethpage families. He cre-ated
a "tradition of excellence" which goes beyond
the incredible records and achievements of his
teams. His legacy will not only be remembered for
the championships won, but for the boys he helped
mold into fine young men. The tradition began on
Saturday, October 2, 1954, with Coach Vogts lead-ing
the Golden Eagles to their first varsity win
when they defeated Wantagh, 20-7, in the season
opener. That would be the first of an astonishing
364 wins throughout his career as head coach.
Vince Lombardi once said "Coaches who can
outline plays on a black board are a dime a dozen.
The ones who WIN, get inside their players and
motivate." Vince Lombardi must have Imown
Coach Howie Vogts.
To say that Howie Vogts will be missed is a
true understatement. There will never be another
like him. Bethpage, however, did not lose their
beloved Coach. He is just watching over each and
every player with a much better view.
Howie Vogts will always be Bethpage's
ORIGINAL GOLDEN EAGLE and his name, and
the gift he has given to the community of Bethpage
and the sport of football will never be forgotten.
A wake was held at White's Funeral Home in
Bethpage on August 10 and 11 and as the Tribune
was going to press a Memorial Service was held at
his field... The Howie C. Vogts Football Field on
August 12.
The Tribune extends its heartfelt sympathy to
Coach Vogts' family and friends and hopes that
they find comfort in knowing how loved and
admired he was and always will be.
BETHPAGE
FIRE DEPT.
CELEBRATES
100 YEARS
OF SERVICE
WITH HUGE
THREE DAY
COMMUNITY
EVENT
On August 5, 6 and 7th tens of
thousands of residents, family and
friends came out to celebrate the
iOOth anniversary of the Bethpage
Fire Department. This three day event
encompassed an amazing car show, a
fabulous parade and a three day festi-val
that was second to none.
This year, because of this momen-tous
anniversary, the Bethpage
Chamber of Commerce was honored
to join forces to help celebrate
Bethpage Fire Department's century
of service to our community. The
location was new, the event expanded
and the outcome was a wonderful cel-ebration
for the entire community of
Bethpage.
So much hard work and planning
went into this event and it would be
impossible to mention each person
who played a vital role. But what we
can say is IT WAS AWESOME and
good ol' Mother Nature even cooper-ated.
BIG SHOT, Excalibur
Entertainment, Polka Boy, Blue
Collar and the Electric Dudes, provid-ed
nonstop music and as always
Newton Amusements and Bay
Fireworks insured the events success.
Special thanks to the Nassau
County Police Dept., TOB
Department's of Public Works, Public
Safety and Sanitation as well as
Briarcliffe College, the Bethpage
Federal Credit Union, Northrop
Grumman and Cablevision for their
support and dedication to our commu-nity.
Please turn to centerfold for pic-tures.
Congrats BFD!!!