Letter to the Editor: Naming events for Platt, Anders perfect tribute for long-time coaches

I’m a 1981 graduate of Quincy High School, and I had the privilege of wrestling for Rollie Platt and running for Kerry Anders. My mother, Joyce Shipp, was the assistant track coach for many years in the 1990s, coaching under Coach Anders. 

I attended the Quincy Invitational track meet with my mom this past Saturday. She had not been to this meet for many years and thoroughly enjoyed the entire meet, despite the cold. The first thing I did after arriving at Flinn Stadium was to make my way down to the track and give Coach A a huge hug.

I could not agree more with changing the name of the wrestling tournament to the Rollie Platt Invitaional and the track meet to the Kerry Anders Invitaional.

I began my wrestling career in the eighth grade when Coach Platt was the Quincy Junior High School coach. He moved to the high school to be the freshman and sophomore coach during my freshman year and became the varsity coach my junior year. I was not the best wrestler and certainly not always a model student-athlete, but Coach Platt brought out the best in his wrestlers. What I learned, both on and off the mat, was immeasurable. 

I began running track my sophomore  year under Dale Hendren and ran for Coach Anders my junior and senior year. Our family has known Coach Anders since he was an athlete at QHS.  I felt a responsibility to do my best for him.  He wasn’t just my coach. He was a friend, mentor and role model who I strived to emulate. 

If I were to count on one hand the most influential people who made an impact on my life, both of these gentlemen would be included. I was just one student-athlete out of hundreds, if not thousands, who were influenced by these men.  My story is not unique. 

I can think of no finer tribute than to acknowledge Coach Platt’s and Coach Anders’ impact on so many young lives than to attach their names to these two events.  

Bruce Shipp
Poplar Grove, Illinois