07/13/2024
I've sat down to write this easily a hundred times since the passing of Coach Butch McAdams, my Mentor, Friend and first 'Basketball Advocate". This has just been a really hard thing to do. It's the end of an Era for many of us of a certain age. With Coach becoming an Ancestor , it's a realization that many of the real Basketball Men are now gone. He was the 'Keeper Of The Flame of D.C. Basketball'. He was it's Basketball Historian, X & O guy, Coach and Advisor, Teacher and Radio Personality.
Like some many Young Players in D.C., Coach McAdams literally picked me off the Playground at Ft. Stevens (Luzon) when I was 13 years old and told me I could be a "great player one day". In those days, Butch could literally put a player on the Basketball Map by validating you. He knew all the developing players in the D.C. area and Coached the best selection of Jr. High School age kids via his St. Paul and Augustine Church teams. Being chosen for those teams was one of my first Basketball highlights. He often reminded me that I walked in the Gym and told him that "there wasn't a better player in there than me" (I didn't remember that lol). From that Coaching and early guidance, Coach became my Advisor and Friend. He has been involved in my every major life decision since. Where I went to High School, College, Work/Career and Marriage were all done with his advice and Counsel.
What I'm most proud about our relationship over the years is the respect he returned me for my Counsel later as I became an Adult. I was a Guest on Radio Show 15, maybe 20 times over the years. He had me lecture at Maret, work with and help his Nephew get a Basketball scholarship. Coach often called me to ask my opinion on Players and Coaches. Most importantly, Coach showed me and all my Basketball contemporaries how to live. How to respect others, how to present ourselves and how to make the best of what we had.
Coach was my first Guest on the Basketball Radio Show I began in 2010. It was only fitting since he was at the beginning of everything Basketball for me.
Sending my Prayers and Condolences to his Wife, Sister and extended Family. Coach, Thank You. Well earned, Well Done...
