On November 2, 2002, Dan Doyle delivered the following speech at a testimonial dinner in Worcester in honor of his high school coach and life-long mentor.
MR. LANE
In the winter of 1956, my dad, St. John’s Class of ’32, and Dr. Jim Morrison, St. John’s Class of ’33, took me to my first basketball game. The game was played on Temple Street – St. John’s against St. Peter’s – and I was able to observe the first great coach I would ever see – Bob Devlin – and the first great player – Joe Lane. I, of course, had no idea that this star athlete would have such a profound impact on my life – and embody so many of the admirable qualities that bring us here tonight in his honor.
For those of us fortunate to have played for him at St. John’s, Mr. Lane became a dominant figure in our lives affecting us in ways that as teenagers we sensed were important – and as adults appreciated as invaluable.
Perhaps the first lesson we learned was that the rules would be followed – and not only when convenient. Many of you will recall that the St. John’s Basketball uniform included high red knee socks that were not of the designer category. Before one game at Sacred Heart, I approached my coach and said, “Mr. Lane, my mother forgot to pack my red socks.”
“It’s not your mother’s responsibility to pack your red socks,” he replied. “It’s your responsibility, and you won’t be starting tonight.”
And when I responded with the hubris of youth – I was informed that I would not be starting the following game as well.
Of the many great things he did for us, perhaps his most enduring gift was fostering in all of his players a true sense of self-reliance.
Long before mis-guided educators began to create self-esteem programs in which the main objective is to dole out praise regardless of actual accomplishment, our coach understood – and made us understand – that praise should be earned.
And in the best tradition of the firm and fair coach, he made us realize that it was our job to climb the ladder. We also knew that holding the base of the ladder was a strong and good man urging us up – and rooting us on.
If you ask Gerry or Brian O’Brien, or Jimmy Kelly, or Steve Lahey, or Sully, or David Creen, or Luke Dillon, or any of the guys who played for him, they will acknowledge his contribution to their self-reliance, as they will tell you of its great utility – particularly when forced to carry one of life’s inevitable millstones.
I have often said that Joe Lane is one of the few coaches I have ever observed who would have succeeded at any level of competition – high school, college, or professional – he was that good. He learned the game under two of the best – Bob Devlin and Andy Laska – and he possessed every quality required of a great coach. I am also of the view that there is nothing parochial about the notion that the St. John’s coaching tree of Devlin, Lane, Bibaud, and Foley will stand with any – not only in this region – but in the country.
When I became a college coach, one of the first things I did was to ask my coach to become our chief scout. I knew of his great skill in breaking down an offense or a defense. I soon discovered that he could project a high school player as a college prospect as well as anyone I have ever seen.
I would have enjoyed watching him continue in coaching, but I’m glad he chose not to, because it would have taken him away from a job he was born to do. St. John’s has made many wise appointments over the years, but none more wise than the 1981 appointment of Joe Lane as alumni director.
From the time he accepted this position, every St. John’s graduate or family member who entered the school grounds was made to feel welcome – and special. He knew your name, he knew your year, he knew what you were doing, he cared about what you were doing and he made you feel good about being an important member of the St. John’s family.
As many of you know, tonight’s honoree defines the true meaning of friendship. As a high schooler, I began to notice that his good friends like Herby Dyson, Georgie Reidy, Connie Lucey, Franny Lee, and his wonderful assistant coach at St. John’s, John Case, were terrific guys who seemed to take an extra interest in us – because we were Joe Lane’s boys.
I later took notice of how he consistently demonstrated a form of friendship that is at the very essence of his own selflessness and loyalty. Whether relating the great accomplishments of Peter O’Malley, or Jack Shields of the Class of ’56, of Jimmy Frew of the Class of ’95, or of Matthew O’Malley of the Class of ’99, the goodwill in his voice left no doubt that their successes were as important to him as if they were his own.
Of the many wonderful things he has done in a life of good deeds too numerous to list, those which may stand above the rest are his countless acts of kindness. Whether facing the loss of a loved one, or news of a serious illness, his gifts of time are treasured by many here this evening – and still many others in this community. I need not tell those of you who have dealt with a difficult experience – that just having Joe Lane around somehow made you feel that everything would be all right.
Mrs. Lane, Joey and Sean, I know that I speak for everyone here tonight in relating our affection for you – and our gratitude for sharing this great man with us over the years.
There is an old saying that, “The best use of one’s life – is to spend it on something that outlasts it.” No one embodies these words more than tonight’s honoree.
My dear friend, let me conclude by saying what everyone else is thinking – that you’re the best – and that we are privileged to be with you on this great night.
I thank you for allowing me to share these thoughts – and I thank all of you for listening.
