The Honorable Coach Mulder

On Wednesday evening, March 4, the Arlington Heights Memorial Library Foundation sponsored award-winning sports journalist and author Melissa "Missy" Issacson's discussion of her recent book "State - A Team, A Triumph, A Transformation" at the library. An audience of 100 was entertained by Missy's description of how in the mid-1970s inexperienced Coach Arlene Mulder (Missy still calls her "Mrs. Mulder") sought the help of Niles West High School boys' basketball coach Billy Schnurr to learn some of the finer points of the game - and then proceeded to develop and lead a Niles West team that ultimately won the girls' high school state basketball championship in 1979 - just a few years after Title IX called for equality between the opportunities for girls' and boys' sports.

Missy covered the Chicago Bulls for the Chicago Tribune during the Michael Jordan-led championship years. She brought on several rounds of laughter with stories of her locker room adventures with Scottie Pippen and others.

Though Arlene "retired" at the end of the 1978 school year to give birth to her third child, Michael, and Coach Gene Earl took over the team for the championship season, Missy - who was a member of the team - feels that it was Arlene's state title as much as the team's. During her presentation, Missy noted several times that Arlene was a great coach and leader who taught and inspired her players to focus, work hard and play as a team.

Those of us who observed the terrific job Arlene did as our mayor should not be surprised that - as Missy said - Arlene was possessed of great leadership skills.

If you're a fan you will enjoy "State." As former Bull and current head coach of the Golden State Warriors Steve Kerr has noted, "This is a beautiful story of basketball and life."

Gary L. McClung

Arlington Heights