[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 74 (Monday, May 1, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E572]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. STAN GOOCH AND THE IMPACT HE HAD 
                    ON BOY'S BASKETBALL IN MICHIGAN

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                         HON. DANIEL T. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 1, 2017

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask the United States House of 
Representatives join me in recognizing Mr. Stan Gooch, of Grand Blanc, 
for his tremendous, lasting impact in the field of basketball in the 
Flint area, as well as the State of Michigan as a whole. Anyone who 
knew Stan will tell you that he was much more than a coach to our 
community. He was a man who loved his players and truly loved the game 
of basketball. As the Member of Congress representing the Fifth 
District of Michigan, I am honored to recognize his life and to have 
represented Stan.
   In 2008, Stan was inducted into the National High School Athletic 
Coaches Hall of Fame after building a legendary basketball program over 
the span of 41 years, retiring in 2000. Throughout his four decade-long 
career, he established himself as a genius coaching high school 
basketball and was recognized and respected for his skills by 
colleagues. During his career, he led his Flint Central basketball team 
to three straight Class A State Championships, from 1981 to 1983. This 
success, many of his fans believe, is attributed to a coaching system 
of `organized chaos.'
   Former players saw him as ``one of the greatest high school coaches 
in this area.'' Not only was he inducted into the National High School 
Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame, Stan's stellar career gained him 
entrance into the Greater Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame, the Michigan 
Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and the Michigan High 
School Coaches Association Hall of Fame. It is worth noting, though, 
that he went beyond simply being his players' coach. He established 
himself as a mentor to several of the young men he coached, staying in 
their lives even after high school. He was also responsible for molding 
some of these high school students into successful, professional 
athletes.
   For these and many other reasons, I feel compelled to honor the life 
of Stan Gooch. I hope that his legacy, as a coach and a man, will never 
be forgotten.

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