Imagine
mescueta@theguidon.com

Ateneo will never have another coach like Norman Black. In one of my past interviews with Mr. Emmanuel Fernandez, assistant director of operations of the University Athletics Office, he shared, “An ideal coach for any Ateneo team should understand that academics and sports go hand in hand in the university.”

That being said, any person selected for a head coaching position has very big shoes to fill—and the Ateneo community isn’t exactly forgiving when their boys in blue lose. Many are quick to put blame on the coach and cry out for an immediate replacement, which was the case when Black failed to win a title in his first three years.

After eight years, however, Black has achieved a 110-26 win-loss record and brought home 16 titles——including the historic five-peat——from various collegiate tournaments. Black has also built a strong basketball program that put Ateneo on top.

But what made Black such an “ideal coach?”

The 35th coach of the Blue Eagles is not only the “winningest” coach, but is also beloved by his players. I will go as far as to say that Black is the Philippines’ very own John Wooden, who won 10 NCAA national titles in 12 years and was a six-time national coach of the year. The most profound part of his legacy, however, was that his former players like NBA legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton loved him dearly.

Although Black did not have a “Pyramid of Success” or a “Seven Point Creed,” he was a father figure to his players. “Coach Norman is the man,” said Greg Slaughter when he gave his farewell message after the traditional thanksgiving mass at the Church of the Gesù. In interviews with The GUIDON, Nico Salva said he learned much from Black’s humility and Chris Tiu exclaimed that he admired Black’s class and professionalism. He’s the kind of coach players would love to play and work hard for.

Tell me, have you ever seen him berate a player for his errors? The most he ever did was get upset with the referees. He molded his players like they were his own sons——and they absolutely loved him for that.

Last February, I had the opportunity to co-interview Black on his decision to coach a final year. Black spared no detail and told us how he consulted his family and reflected on the requests of many alumni clamoring for the five-peat. The most striking thing about the interview, however, was not how exhaustive his responses were, but how humble he came across.

When I covered the 2012 FilOil Flying V Preseason Hanes Cup, not once did he deny a request for post-game questions. After the third place victory against San Beda, Black even brought me to the officials’ room for a more audible conversation as the arena boomed with the sounds of cheers and drums. Even when the coach was suffering from a bad case of jetlag after the overtime loss to the La Salle, here was one of the most decorated coaches in Philippine basketball genuinely answering the queries of a student journalist. These are just some of the many commendable traits of Coach Norman that those around him these past eight years have come to admire.

Trophies and titles are as glorious as they are, but nothing is more honorable than playing for a coach like Norman Black. This is why he was an ideal coach: he was a true man of character. And there will never be another one as inspirational as him.

Thank you, Coach Norman.