Lachel refuses to allow sands of time to slow him down

When Bud Lachel began coaching tennis at Cary-Grove High School during the 1969-70 school year, he had no thoughts of winning 800 matches. Heck, back then Lachel probably didn't even think about winning 100 matches.

But now, 38 years later, Lachel is still at it, still loving it, and he has that 800th win.

"It's still fun," Lachel said earlier this week. "Those first couple years I had no idea it would become this. I knew nothing about the game when I started. But there are still rewards. I just love sports and watching young kids work and excel."

And Lachel has done more than his part to help young athletes do just that over the years. His calm demeanor and guidance has sent over 40 players to the state finals, not to mention the countless number of boys and girls who have come away from the Cary-Grove tennis programs better people.

"We've had good kids all the way down the line," said Lachel, who achieved his 800th win last Saturday when the Trojans beat Riverside-Brookfield at the Downers Grove North tournament, where his team went 5-0.

Lachel is a Dundee High School product and still calls West Dundee home. After graduating from South Dakota State University, he taught World History at Cary-Grove until his retirement from teaching in 2001. In addition to coaching tennis, he served as the public address announcer for Cary-Grove football games for many years and still is the official scorer for basketball games. He's also been the official scorer for the IHSA girls basketball state tournament for over 15 years.

He knew the 800-win milestone was approaching but didn't think it would come quite so quickly, if at all. The IHSA doesn't keep track of tennis coaching records but it is believed he is the first in the state to ever achieve 800 wins. Tom Henderson of Ottawa retired with 715 wins and at that time he was believed to be the state's winningest coach ever.

"It's something Barb (his wife) and I talked about last year," he said. "We were fortunate with the boys and girls last year so it came faster than I thought it would. It's sort of been a goal. Young coaches don't stick around anymore so it's kind of neat to have something that maybe no one else might achieve."

Even though Lachel didn't let on to his players that he was approaching 800 last weekend, his team made it a fun day for him once they learned of the accomplishment.

"All the girls laid down and made the shape of an 800 and then he was the exclamation point," said junior Megan Wleklinski.

"He's a really accomplished coach but he's also such an outstanding person. He takes the time to know each individual player and their strengths and weaknesses. He always wants us to improve and not just for the team but for us as individuals. You can win a match 6-0, 6-0 and the first thing he'll say when you come off the court is 'What can you do to improve?' He really cares about all of us."

Lachel, who gets up at 4 a.m. every day, has seen changes along the way as well.

"It's really interesting to see how the kids have changed," he said. "Most of them are quicker and stronger than they were 30 years ago. And the rackets are a lot lighter today. Mine is even lighter than theirs. They'll break a string and ask to use my racket and they'll say "Coach, this is so light.' I'll just tell them I'm older than they are and I need a lighter racket."

Life took an unfortunate turn for Lachel, who has two children, Brad and Rebecca, on Feb. 16 of this year when his wife Barb passed away. The Dundee Township Park District plans to dedicate three tennis courts at Huffman Park to Barb's memory on Sept. 30.

"(Tennis) is filling the void now more than ever," said Lachel, now 67. "I was always going to coach this year and then see. But maybe now, as long as my health is there, my legs are there and I'm still having fun, maybe I'll be around 50 years.

"My whole career has been very enjoyable. The kids, the parents and the administration have all been great. Laurie (assistant coach Bender, who has been with Lachel for 23 years) prepares the kids for the varsity level and the kids cooperate. I've had a good relationship with the kids and the parents all the way along."

Lachel has his favorite memories, of course. He brings out names such as Debbie Prochaska, Mark McGrew, Mark Jones and Kris Devine like they're still playing for him now. Devine winning the Trojans' first conference championship is one of his favorite memories.

"For any coach getting to a state tournament is a thrill," Lachel said. "The individual memories are greater than the team memories but I'm really more excited for the kids being successful than myself.

"It's been a good career. I can't complain at all."

And no one in the Fox Valley who has ever been taught by, coached by, or had the pleasure of meeting Bud Lachel will ever complain either.