Cancer Takes 48 Year Old Inspirational Gretna High School Basketball Coach Way Too Young
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Inspirational Gretna High School Head Basketball Coach, Brad Feeken, succumbs to cancer at age 48. He is survived by his wife, Jenny, and three kids – Rylinn (13), Maylee (11), John (6).
Support The Feeken Family Through The Gretna Public Schools Foundation
I did not know Coach Feeken (aka “Feeks”) personally, but his story was extremely impactful on me. This podcast is only a brief summary of the impact he has had as a teacher, basketball coach, and father.
I weave in audio clips from his oldest daughter, Rylinn’s (13 same age as my daughter), wonderful speech at his memorial service. There are also clips from Feeken himself as well as our local news station recapping the last-second shot his team hit to win a game on the same day that he died.
There are so many lessons. I encourage you to read Dirk Chatelain’s excellent article on the Flatwater Free Press website. Not only is Chatelain an excellent journalist he was a neighbor of coach Feeken.
Resources I used for the podcast:
- Feek’s Fight: He’s changed a team, a town and many lives. Now Coach Feeken fights for his own by Dirk Chatelain
- A Tribute To Coach Feek Remembering The Man Who Led Gretna Basketball For Two Decades by Peter Burtnett
- Neuroendocrine Tumors May Clinic Article
- Hundreds Attend Memorial Service For Gretna Basketball Coach Brad Feeken by Stu Pospisil
- Brad Feeken’s Memorial Service on YouTube
- PERFECT ENDING: Gretna Boys Basketball Wins On Buzzer Beater After Coach Dies From Cancer – Kelsey Mannix KMTV 3 News Now
Rylinn Feeken
Rylinn’s Poem:
You held my hand when I was small. You caught me when I fell. The hero of my childhood and my latter years as well. Every time I think of you, my heart just fills with pride. And though I’ll always miss you, Dad, I know you’re by my side. In laughter and in sorrow, in sunshine and in rain, I know you’re watching over me until we meet again.
Support The Feeken Family Through The Gretna Public Schools Foundation
Troy Wallace
Troy Wallace is Certified Basketball Speed Specialist and shares his experiences in trying to stay as healthy as possible to stay on the court. He is active in coaching youth basketball in YMCA, Team Work Sports Nebraska, and, currently, in the Jr. Warriors program in Omaha, NE. Visit Troy's Full Author Bio Page or email him directly.
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