Was there ever anyone as cool as Dub Graves? With a build sporting a six-pack before some of us knew what to call it, Coach Graves was a tanned, muscular Adonis who moved about our hallways with us. Always in good humor, his attitude seemed to radiate the fact that he loved his job and his life.And why not? Dub Graves turned 34 during our senior year and was still single, although he never seemed to lack for female company. Could anyone ever forget that fine ’56 or ’57 turquoise T-Bird convertible, often with a hot blonde seat cover? I have no idea where he lived, but I think it was on the West Side. During the summer he could sometimes be seen out on Eagle Mountain Lake working on both his wooden Chris-Craft, and on his tan. Those who saw him at our 20th reunion saw a white haired version of an older Adonis, still full of it.
As a coach, he was far and away the best athlete on the coaching staff. As a teacher of American History, I would have to venture a guess . . . not as good as Mr. Sills. Dub was also one of the P.E. teachers and if I were to venture another guess . . . he didn’t like that too much. I think he much preferred to coach the school’s athletic teams. To amuse himself during our senior year, he instituted the “Tough Tail” contest in his P.E. classes. This contest established an award of sorts, for the guy that took the most licks during a semester. I don’t know how long that went on, but was always surprised that it drew some active “competition” for the trophy.
During the 1950’s, Dub had flirted with a professional baseball career, and had been a varsity back with the University of Tulsa football team. He was a favorite of Principal Roy Johnson from some previous school district assignment they both held, I don’t know what jobs Dub held after we left, but by the time we held our 20th reunion in 1983, he was in public relations for the teacher’s credit union. He was an interesting character.
3 comments:
I will never forget Coach Graves. He was Hugh Hefner almost before Hugh Hefner was Hugh Hefner and a lot better looking man. A fine athlete and a great sense of humor. He made up a poem about me, in the manner of Cassius Clay's poems of that day. If anyone else checks into this site, I might share it with them.
Dub Graves was an inspiration to many of guys. He was tough, but kind, demanding, but understanding. Some may not know it, but he boxed , while in the service, and encouraged many of us to box in the golden gloves. He was a good coach who expected us to give our all, and let us know when we did. I think he was most responsible for the great defense we had our senior year in football.
Here is a link to a 2007 photo of Coach Graves, 79, still going strong, although I heard that he was in hospital shortly after this: http://picasaweb.google.com/txrdside/TechHighReunion200703#5132907950272042930
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