`dawson's Creek' Has Enough Steam To Melt Most Viewers

3 Field Hockey Stars Named All-americans

Monday, January 19, 1998 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





`Coach' Kopacz gave game plan for life &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Saturday night, I had the honor and privilege to pay tribute to one of the
most influential people in my lifeAlex Kopacz was more than just a football
coach. Much more. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He was a friend that took time out of his busy schedule whenever I needed
him. He was a father-like figure who made sure that my teammates and I chose
the right path in life. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 To this day, I still reflect back on my days with Kopacz, and remember his
many words of wisdom, and utilize them in every day life. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That's what made Saturday's "Al Kopacz Testimonial Dinner" at the Ramada
Plaza Hotel so special. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 While the dinner was intended to honor Kopacz for what he accomplished in
his 22 years as an assistant and head coach at Hanover Area, it went beyond
that. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The record of the man we affectionately refer to as "Coach" speaks for
itself. Four Wyoming Valley Conference and Eastern Conference titles, a PIAA
Class AA state title and state runner-up, a District 2 title and runner-up and
a school-record 101 victories are all pretty impressive. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 However, for Kopacz, it was more than wins and losses and championships
that gave him the drive and fire to become one of the best coaches to ever
grace the sidelines in this area. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It was his passion for the game, and his will to teach that game he loved
so much to a bunch of eager young men. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 His greatest sense of fulfillment came as he watched nearly 200 boys become
men right before his very eyes. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Maybe that's why Coach became visibly emotional Saturday when he looked out
into the overflow crowd and saw many of those same people. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I really would like to thank all of my former players for taking time out
for me," he said Saturday night. "I want you all to know that I loved each and
every one of you like my own sons." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And he meant every word of it. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 From 1985-87, I played for Kopacz. And I still remember sitting in the old
fieldhouse at Hanover Area Memorial Stadium on an August afternoon in 1985 and
having Coach tell us, "From this day on, everyone in this room is one big
family. For the next three months, you will spend more time with the people in
this room than your family at home." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And as was the case more often than not, he was right. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kopacz was a demanding, emotional coach who never settled for mediocrity.
His practices were tough and his preparation was unmatched. He had one simple
rule and expected everyone to follow it. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "If you can look yourself in the mirror and know that you gave everything
you have, that's all I ask," he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But he also made the game fun. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 His demeanor, dedication and motivation were enough to make anyone want to
run through a brick wall without a helmet for him. We felt if this guy was so
devoted to us, why shouldn't we be to him. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 His pregame speeches were some of the most moving words I've ever had the
opportunity to hear in my 27 years of existence. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kopacz instilled "Hawkeye Pride" into his program, and no matter if you
played for one week or three years, you carry that pride with you to this day. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In my sophomore year, Kopacz endured his worst season at Hanover Area. He
returned just five seniors from a team that won the Eastern Conference
championship the year before. And because we were the defending champs,
everyone was out to get us. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kopacz was forced to field a lineup comprised of mostly sophomores, myself
included, and we got slaughtered. Our only victory came against West Side
Tech, so you know it had to be pretty bad. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 However, while we became frustrated, Kopacz didn't. He knew we didn't have
a prayer, but he also knew that we were gaining valuable experience for the
coming years. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We won five games the next year, then eight the next. While we didn't win
any championships, those teams, like every other team, were very dear to
Kopacz. &nbsp;&nbsp;&amp;nbsp

`coach' Kopacz Gave Game Plan For Life 
Saturday Night, I Had The Honor And Privilege To Pay Tribute To One Of The 
Most Influential People In My Life.

`coach' Kopacz Gave Game Plan For Life Saturday Night, I Had The Honor And Privilege To Pay Tribute To One Of The Most Influential People In My Life.