March 6, 2008

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -

by Jamie DeVall, The Western Front

Former Western Washington University men's basketball head coach Chuck Randall said up until the fourth grade he aspired to be a cowboy and never thought he'd make a career of coaching.

Randall said he was in fourth grade when a summer visit to his uncle Gene's led him to a lifetime of coaching. Randall said his uncle coached high school football and track in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. While visiting that summer, Randall's uncle took him to a track meet that changed his life.

"I was sitting there watching a race and one of the high school boys barely lost the race," Randall said. "He went behind the bleachers and started crying. I went and told my uncle. I watched as my uncle put his arm around the boy. The boy smiled, and I knew I wasn't going to be a cowboy anymore. I was going to coach."

Randall, now 81 years old, recently co-authored a book about his life titled, "My Impossible Dream." The book became available in January and takes the reader through Randall's childhood, his hall of fame coaching career at Western from 1962-1981, his invention of the slam-dunk rim and his life after coaching.

Randall will be signing books at the men's basketball game against Seattle Pacific University at 7 p.m. March 6 in Carver Gym. Randall said he plans to use profits from the book to contribute to the Chuck Randall Scholarship Endowment, through The Western Foundation.

Western Foundation Senior Director of Advancement Mark Bagley said this scholarship was established in 1998. Since then it has been awarded to players on the men's basketball team on an annual basis. He said it is his understanding Randall hopes to establish an equal scholarship for the women's team with the proceeds from the book.

During Randall's 35-year coaching career he won almost 500 games and spent 18 years as head coach at Western with an accumulative record of 275-186. Randall's 1971-1972 team won the conference title, district title and reached the quarterfinals at the NAIA National tournament with a record of 26-4.

Western Sports Information Director Paul Madison said Randall is one of the all-time icons of Western athletics. He said Randall coached during a time much different than today and was able to bring people together through basketball. The 1971-72 team that reached the NAIA quarterfinals was Randall's best.

"Every game was packed, and the players all became very close to one other," Madison said. "It was a different time, a volatile time, with the Vietnam War and racial conflicts. Their success made the season more special."

Madison said Randall's love of practice and his compassion for his players made him a successful coach.

"[University of California, Los Angeles] has John Wooden and Western has Chuck Randall," Madison said.

Even after retiring, Randall cannot get enough of basketball, Madison said. Since retiring, he has gone to almost every practice and game for both the men's and women's team, Madison said.

"He has a good relationship with everyone and has a lot of good wisdom to give out," Madison said. "He offers the teams suggestions, and if he has something to say, he'll let them know."

Co-author of the book Barbara Kindness said even though Randall was cheated out of royalties for his invention of the slam-dunk rim, he maintained a sense of compassion, which left a lasting impact on the lives of others.

Randall said he invented the slam-dunk rim because one of his players was constantly bending the rim. Randall said the original was designed with a shear bolt, which would fall out if too much pressure was applied and the rim would swing downward.

Kindness said coaching wasn't just about the instruction and training to Randall. His players' well-being was what mattered most, she said.

"He has a special quality that not every coach has," Kindness said. "He shows sensitivity that others do not display and instilled disciplines of no smoking or drinking into his players."

Kindness said Randall's former players still continue to stay in touch with him and were eager to contribute to the book.

Randall now spends much of his time on the golf course. He said he plays five days a week with friends, and whomever loses pays a quarter toward the Chuck Randall scholarship.

"I think boredom is what brings on old age," Randall said. "I plan to continue playing golf, carrying my clubs around with me and attending basketball games. I told [the teams] they're going to have to pay me to stay away."

To purchase: Special order the book at any bookstore or visit the Web site at: www.myimpossibledreamchuckrandall.com