Had the pleasure of playing Whisper Rock today and ran into Gary after our round. I swear the guy still looks like he could pass for 50. Maybe 55. We talked about the old days of course and what he accomplished. When I mentioned my opinion that NU's current success in football and hoops can be traced to his achievements, he seemed genuinely appreciative. I know Gary's dream seasons were a while ago, but I hate to think where we would be in our flagship programs had he not taken the worst job in college football nearly 25 years ago.
GOUNUII
Great guy, built the foundation for our current success. I have reminded him of that every time I have seen him as well. With hindsight, Gary was uniquely qualified as a turnaround expert for our program. Plenty of great coaches in the profession but not many are equipped for turnarounds.
I have, what I think is, a really nice story about the kind of person Gary Barnett is.
A couple of years after Gary left for Colorado, my brother-in-law was the offensive coordinator at Iowa State.
That particular year, Colorado was playing at Iowa State so we drove over for the game. My brother-in-law got us field passes so we were on the field during warm-ups and during the game.
I watched both teams during the pre-game warm-ups and wanted to say hello to Gary, but also didn't want to interfere with his attention to his team. So I kinda moved over to the area that his team would take to their locker room, thinking I could at least say hello as he passed by. As Colorado came off the field, Gary passed by and then did an immediate 180 and came back to me and said, "Bill, what are you doing here?" I explained that my brother-in-law was the Iowa State OC, etc. and he remarked that they (Iowa State) would be a tough out. We then wished each other well and that was the last time I saw him in person.
Now here's the remarkable thing - I had only met him on, probably, 5 occasions over two years ago - and only spoke to him breifly on those occasions - YET HE REMEMBERED MY FIRST NAME.
That was the type of person he was - and why many of us will always remember him positively!
Those are great personal accounts providing "belief with evidence" as to what a genuine and thoughtful person Gary Barnett is. My own encounters were on a lesser level but memorable to me.
The one time I recall speaking with him in person was at a book signing at Norris where he also autographed some footballs for me. He was most gracious. I also had an opportunity to photograph him close-up at a Pep Rally on North Campus that was also attended by the then reigning NU Alum Miss America. The other semi-in-person encounter was at the pre-game Gridiron luncheon at Harry Carrey's before the Oklahoma game at the beginning of the 1997 season. I recall his response to a booster's question about the game plan when he quipped that the plan was "to get the ball to #3." Ironically, that was the game where #3 D'Wayne Bates broke his ankle and fibula. I have always wondered how different that 1997 Season may have gone, along with the Coach's own tenure at NU, but for that injury.
An added manifestation of Gary Barnett's thoughtfulness was evidenced by his note of thanks he sent me for a print that I had sent him after the 1996 season had ended. In my letter accompanying the print I had written, "Please accept the enclosed print titled, "Visions of Victory" as a token of appreciation from an Alaska fan for both having accomplished another winning season at Northwestern and for all you have done for NU. May you and the team continue to share the "Visions of Victory" in "Expecting Victory" ....."
In response Gary was kind enough to let me know that his wife had framed it and he added, "I think I'll keep it in my office." [The Print was from a painting by Alaska artist Charles Gause which depicted a musher and his team competing in the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. The print, signed by the artist, and the late "Father of the Iditarod" racer Joe Redington, Sr. was the the 10th (and last by Artist Gause) Official Iditarod Fundraising Print. It was issued to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of "The Last Great Race." During those 10 years over one million dollars was raised from the sale of Gause's limited edition Iditarod prints.]
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