Sympathy

[trojanpanther]

My deepest sympathy goes out to WPIAL Titan, Shaler Area School District, and the family of Howie Rupert. Rupert, the boys varsity basketball coach at Shaler, passed away unexpectedly last night after practice. Coach Rupert was a friend and mentor to Titan.

Coach Rupert was an outstanding coach who spent time as an assistant college coach at Seton Hall and Duquesne Universities. Coach was a very giving man as he invited me to his practices and shared information with me.

God Bless the family and friends during this difficult time.

[WPIAL~Titan]

Thanks, trojan...It's a really tough time here right now.

Here is the P-G's link to a brief story about Howie:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08347/934761-100.stm

I could write a novel longer than "War and Peace" about Howie Ruppert, and the type of person he was. Simply stated, he was the type of person you'd want teaching and coaching your child every year/season from pre-school through college. He babysat my sons numerous times, and I did the same for him and his two sons.

Howie was the most interesting, engaging person I have ever known. He had an incredible basketball IQ and was an absolute offensive GENIUS, running a variety of "quick hitters" and a motion offense that played to the strengths of his talent. The preparation he put into getting the most out of his teams and talent at hand was astonishing. He was the best I have ever seen at looking at an opponent and preparing his players for them. Howie was also an incredible evaluator of talent, and knew right where a player would fit in. He sent well over a dozen players from Shaler on to college careers at various levels from major D1 to D-3. When Howie Ruppert spoke, college coaches listened. I know this because of the numerous calls Howie received from college coaches asking for his opinion about OTHER PLAYERS not on his team.

On top of his basketball knowledge, he was incredibly bright, and spoke well, someone who could engage anyone in a conversation.

Howie could tell a million stories. I have dozens even more funny than the great story hoops speaks of...Howie had an incredible amount of basketball and life experience, yet never held it over your head and always listened. Indeed, when you spoke to Howie, he was an amazing listener, and so non-judgmental. When you spoke with him one on one, he made you feel like you and him were the only two people in the world.

We had countless laughs and great times together. Many of our conversations didn't even center around basketball or sports. We would talk politics, history, investments, cars, pets, books, food, travel...you name it.

I love Howie Ruppert. Things will never be the same without him.

Please pray for his family, especially his wife and three children.

[Coachcal]

Titan - we all join in your sorrow. Puts things in perspective. God Bless

[hoops]

I would also like to extend my smpathies to the Rupert and Shaler families. Coach had been dealing with a serious illness for several years but this was a complete suprise. He coached my son for several years playing AAU ball. He was always good to both of us. He once told me of a one on one game he played against a Mr. Lew Alcindor that he claimed to have won. My favorite Howie story occurred at a 5th grade AAU practice. He was preaching the values of man to man defense to his players when his own son failed to be in proper help postion. He called the whole team into a huddle and told them this ( I hope the moderators can allow a little one time artistic flair) He said " Boys..... You have to help each other. If you were walking down the street eating an ice cream cone and you dropped it and it fell next to a pile of dog crap and you picked it up and there was a tiny speck of dog crap on the ice cream would you eat it? ...... Of course not...... one little speck of **** on that cone makes the whole thing crap! Well that's the way our man to man is. One guy playing like crap and you all stink. Now get out there and help each other". The parents were rolling in the stands. RIP Howie

[vman]

God Bless Coach Rupert and will keep his family in my prayers!

[WPIAL~Titan]

I have so many, but here is a favorite Howie Ruppert story of mine:

A few years back, one of his very talented players (now playing in college) was having an interesting first half of basketball...He was scoring quite a few points, but he was being very careless with the basketball....After reviewing the stat sheet, Howie pulled the fine young player aside on the way back to the gym after halftime and said to him, in his typical way, peppered with a little sarcasm, and with his thick New Yawkkk accent:

"Congratulations, _____...You have yahr furst triple double of yahr young career in just one half of basketball...12 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 tuhhrnovahs..."

Classic Ruppert for those who knew him.

[THE CHOPS]

Hey! WT,
Hang in there "OLE BUDDY".. :shock: I know what he meant too you.. I remember a few years back, when you first introduced him to me up at a Shaler Home game.. Truly a class act & a Great coach... My heart goes out to you & The Shaler Area Titans...

Best Regards

The Chops....