Coach Ken Foreman's legacy of excellence

Last weekend I had the opportunity to film Dr. Ken Foreman's memorial service at Seattle Pacific University. And what an incredible opportunity it was.

[In case you could not make it to Seattle last week, you can view the entire memorial service here and the Coach Ken Foreman Character Lap on my youtube channel, too:]

Both of my parents attended SPU, and my mom ran for Coach Foreman and Coach Doris Brown Heritage there, too.

I grew up knowing about Dr. Foreman: "he's a pioneer of women's distance running," my mom said before I met him as a little girl. But I had NO IDEA what that truly meant.

Ladies, there was a time when we could not play on organized sports teams, let alone think about competing at the collegiate level or beyond. Coach Foreman helped make that possible for us with his coaching, research on women's training--especially in distance running, but in other sports, too--and persistent advocacy for women's competition.

Now, we don't know a world without women's athletics.

While family and friends at the service remembered Coach Foreman's impact on their athletic careers, what stood out more was the way they talked about his influence on their lives outside competition.

He preached excellence: "if you're a knot-hole-spitter, then aim to be the BEST knot-hole-spitter around." (I remember my mom telling me that as a kid and not having the slightest idea what a "knot-hole-spitter" was.)

Listening to each speaker commemorate his life made me wish I'd known him better; that I'd had a chance to call him "Coach" and race for him, too.

Part of Coach Foreman's grand TEAM! Commemorative walk at Discovery Park in Seattle 1/26/19

Most importantly, he demonstrated to his family, friends, and athletes in the way he lived the true reason to strive for excellence: to glorify the Lord.

Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Just a few Coach Foreman's athletes and wife, Denise (Nisi), at the memorial service

We know that Coach Foreman has received that inheritance in full, a faithful servant of the Lord in all he did.

They Call Me COACH

by Jack Hoyt

(SPU 1987, hear him reading this poem that he wrote in honor of Coach Foreman at 50:36-55:51 in video above)

Ken Foreman started the fire And he kept it burning while the world was turning Ken Foreman started the fire He could make you believe in what you want to achieve

President Watson had a vision Hire a builder was the decision Coaching track was the commission Kenneth Foreman you’re the one

Eugene Peterson and the 4 x 4 Duncan winning sprints galore Habegger sitting next to Ken basketball is gonna win

USC for more degrees A Dr who would work for free So he came back to SP And raised his family

At Queen Anne Bowl with Doris Brown Lynnette, and Gough, champions abound Winkler, Glancy learned from the best Nubbers, Tindall, passed that test

Coach’s sons are on the team Falcon Track Club was the dream Title 9 front line Foreman’s in control

SPC’s 2nd Place Ucla was the chase Haynes, Griffen, Mecklenberg all received his praise

Seattle Pacific was the spot Olympic coach, a boycott Jimmy Carter never got The value of this man

He took a break For Heavens sake And spent some time up at the lake Never forgetting what’s at stake impacting lives for Christ to take

Sports-Med Doc while in the town High school camps all around They were Champions In Action with Adams, Kennedy and Brown

Took their show on the road To tracks that needed to be mowed Seley Lake, Devils Lake, Lakeview Oregon

Camp Casey was the bomb To watch the coach all day long Teach with passion for every kid Honoring God with all he did

It’s the 80’s Have no fear Foreman’s back give out a cheer Returned to SPU To teach, coach and mentor

The athletes started storming in A Goose, A giant and girls named Jenn Donald, Julie, and Karen All looked to the coach to comprehend the road to becoming a champion

Married Nissi in 88, life is getting really great Seoul bound Jack’s around big remodel and Pete’s a clown

Their marriage was an inspiration Filled with love and recreation They shared their home You weren’t alone All were welcome in their life

The Team was like a family Elvis Presley in the house Pumpkins, Olympic Team prizes And Denise was quite the spouse

Full circle legacy went twice around when Grandson Chris joined the team With more Gough’s, a Glancy, and a Watson Coach was running low on steam While Kelly made the Olympic Games Ken battled a different foe Cancer couldn’t take him down FIGHT ON Trojan - ain’t your time to go

All through his treatments he coached his crew and never missed a day His deep desire to impact lives would not let Cancer slow his way.

Hawaii move seas of blue left a team for me to choose What a tremendous gift working by your side and then trying to fill your shoes

And every time I lead someone to take courage and chase their dream I hope you smile and realize because of you, they call me COACH.