[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 82 (Wednesday, June 19, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1099]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO STEVE KLONNE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 19, 2002

  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
Coach Steve Klonne of Cincinnati, Ohio. For 19 years, Coach Klonne 
served as the Head Coach of the Moeller High School Fighting Crusaders 
football team. He provided a total 23 years of leadership and guidance 
to the Moeller family. For his dedication to the students of Moeller 
and constant pursuit of excellence, Mr. Speaker, the United States 
Congress commends Coach Klonne and wishes him continued success.
  Klonne's teams went 169-48 and won state titles in 1982 and 1985. In 
2001, Klonne's final season at Moeller, the team finished 9-2. In 1982 
USA Today named Coach Klonne the nation's ``Coach of the Year'' based 
upon his achievement and exemplary leadership.
  Throughout Coach Klonne's career, he has been an inspiration, always 
challenging his players to strive for excellence. He taught the men of 
Moeller to understand no goal is beyond their reach.
  Mr. Speaker, I am a proud graduate of Moeller High School, a member 
of the Class of 1980. During the late 1970's, I was fortunate to play 
for Coach Klonne. At that time, he was an assistant coach, and I was a 
split end on the offensive line. I remember the long grueling practices 
and the endless drills. I will never forget the thrill of winning the 
1979 Ohio state championship and the excitement of learning our team 
was ranked first in the nation. Coach Klonne taught us how to play as a 
team, to respect each other and to love the game of football, but most 
of all, he showed us, by example, how to be champions. Our success was 
due, in part, to the character lessons we learned from Coach Klonne.
  I remember most vividly the passionate delivery of a spontaneous 
lecture on life and morality. Coach Klonne's sage observations and 
advice to a room full of spellbound young men are words none of us are 
likely to forget. In fact they have guided me from that moment on. The 
team was heading into the playoffs for the Ohio State Championship and 
we were one day away from facing our most formidable opponent.
  The coaching staff gathered all the senior players in the old Bill 
Clark weight-training shed. It was cold and raining outside and the 
small room barely held us all. I remember teammates sitting on the 
floor, on the edge of benches, and some could only stand. I sat on a 
pile of weights.
  Instead of the usual pre-game pep talk and strategy session, one-by-
one, the coaches addressed us as young men who, through four years of 
hard work, discipline, and adversity, had become close friends and 
teammates. Finally, it was Coach Klonne's turn. In a tone we had never 
heard from him previously, Coach Klonne spoke to us as a father. He 
reminded us that football was just a sport, but explained to us how a 
team sport and a Marianist education could provide important lessons 
upon which we could rely for the rest of our lives--if only we were 
wise enough to listen and take full advantage of them.
  He spoke about courage, honor, honesty, trustworthiness, morality, 
and most essential of all, faith in God and the importance of living as 
disciples of Jesus Christ. ``Sometimes you will veer from the path to 
glory,'' he said. ``But times like these combined with unyielding faith 
in God will always bring you back, and that's why I'm proud of you all 
and what you have become. As men, you're the finest.'' That speech has 
stuck with me for 23 years and is part of the reason I'm in Congress 
right now.
  I learned how to win at Moeller. Steve Klonne was my coach.
  Moments like these, and teachers Mr. Klonne are the essence of the 
Moeller tradition--a tradition that has inspired thousands of students, 
graduates, and families.
  Steve Klonne is a great teacher. He is a man of high honor and 
profound dignity. A great coach at Archbishop Moeller High School in 
Cincinnati, Ohio, Steve Klonne is also a truly great American. He not 
only makes his community proud, he has enriched the lives of countless 
students, including me, and he continues to do so today. He is first 
class, all the way.
  I ask the House to join me in extending its warmest congratulations 
and commendation to Coach Steve Klonne.

                          ____________________