[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 66 (Thursday, May 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E935]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO BEN WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 1998

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding 
career of an educator in our community. A lifelong educator with the 
Toledo Public School system, Ben Williams will be feted at a retirement 
event that will also serve as a scholarship dinner in his honor on May 
23, 1998 in Toledo.
  A product of the Toledo Public Schools himself, Ben began his career 
in 1968 at Woodward High School, where he taught general science and 
coached freshman boys basketball. Ben truly discovered his passion as a 
teacher and coach at Toledo's Scott High School in 1969, where he 
remained until retirement. While at Scott, he taught health education, 
became Chair of the Physical Education Department, and coached the 
junior varsity and varsity boys basketball teams. During his seventeen 
years as head coach, his teams have won an amazing ten City 
Championships, and last year, the Scott Bulldogs won the Ohio State 
Championship. No doubt, the Bulldogs with this victory expressed their 
appreciation to him for his lifelong dedication to them. Eight of the 
teams under his leadership have ranked among the top ten Ohio AAA 
teams. His accomplishments earned Ben the designation of AAA Boys 
Basketball Coach of the Year.
  Ben's success as a basketball coach has not been simply about 
fostering technical skills and teamwork on the basketball court. States 
a noted local sportscaster, ``While building the area's top basketball 
program at Scott, Ben has not let his players forget why they are in 
school. He not only insists on athletic achievement but academic 
efforts as well.'' Indeed, 90 percent of his players have gone on to 
college! Truly a mentor to his players, Ben puts his philosophy into 
action, explaining ``Most of our boys come from broken homes. I spend 
more time with them than the typical coach. I have a year-round 
relationship with them. We try to keep basketball in perspective. 
Academic achievement and personality improvement are the most important 
things.''
  Ben also founded the City of Toledo Recreation Department's Annual 
Early Bird Basketball Clinic, serving over 600 children in each of the 
8 years he directed the program. He has directed various recreation and 
youth offices in both Toledo and Erie, Pennsylvania. Finally, he worked 
with the University of Toledo's Summer Sports Program for 13 years, 
from 1970 to 1983.
  Ben Williams is a graduate of Bowling Green State University, where 
he earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. He has also 
worked toward his doctorate at Gannon College in Pennsylvania, George 
Washington University, and Sir George William's University in Montreal. 
He holds a teaching award from Phi Beta Kappa, and has received many 
other awards for his exemplary teaching and service to our community.
  In addition to an extraordinarily successful teaching and coaching 
career, Ben is happily married to Arielle. They are the proud and 
earnest parents of Robert, Kristie, and Leah.
  Perhaps Ben Williams' proudest professional moment came when Scott 
High School last year renamed its field house in his honor. In 
accepting the tribute, Ben spoke of his State Championship team. ``This 
close unit has shown what discipline, hard work, and caring can do for 
all who wish to beat the odds.'' Indeed these stand as fitting words by 
which we all might live.

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