Tribute to Coach Hazell

Thanks Coach

A tribute to long-time LHS gym teacher William Hazell

by Mike Bangrazi (LHS '71)

Coach Bill Hazell passed away on Sunday, Jan. 28, 1996, Super Bowl Sunday. It's kind of ironic that God chose to take him on the biggest football day of the year knowing the enormous love he had for this game. Someone wrote a very nice article about The Coach following his death. However, I felt it was important that people have a keener insight into this man, particularly in this day and age.

The Coach was a very private individual whose sole motivations in life were God, family and his students and players. His love for sports was unequivocal, and I was particularly fond of the way he went out of his way to praise and promote the athletes who didn't get a lot of ink--the wrestlers, the tennis players and the gymnasts. He also always made it a point that the girls got their due respect.

Coach Hazell relaxes in his Pleasant St. home with Mike Bangrazi, LHS '71 (left) and son, Jack, SBHS '71. (Photo courtesy of George Schroeder)

He was never into playing the political games of athletics which permeate coffee shops in every corner of Leominster. He was above all that. He genuinely cared about the kids in a way that let you know he was there if you needed him. I've seen a multitude of classy individuals from various eras of sports--the 50's, 60's, and 70's going to see the Coach for advice or a consoling word. They didn't all go to Leominster High, but they were Leominster kids. Dickie Anderson went to St. Bernards and Dave Fiandaca went to Notre Dame, but they all made the trek up the backstairs of 191 Pleasant St. to talk to the Coach. I know because I was in the backyard shooting hoops with his son, Jack. I was there.

Coach Hazell, to me, epitomized the way it should be done. And in an era of egocentric, political money-mongering in athletics, he gave us the greatest gift any human being can give to another--his example. Thanks Coach, we'll miss you, and thanks for all the advice you've given so many of us. You were the John Wooden of Leominster, class personified.