Letter to the Editor - Remembering a special coach

Dear Editor,

First I would like to congratulate this year’s Havre High School Girls Basketball State Champions! Havre has a strong tradition of excellence in sports and I’m proud to be part of the state championship legacy. But part of the Havre girls basketball heritage is gone now and I would like to pay tribute to a special coach.

Steve Huston, the coach of the first Havre Girls Basketball Championship Team in 1976, passed away last week. He was a tremendous person and coach. He was a pioneer when he took a chance coaching “girls” back in a time when it wasn’t considered a good career move for a coach to work with female athletes. He demanded discipline and playing good defense from his players. He treated them as athletes, he encouraged them, challenged them and believed in them. He was a tremendous competitor and instilled confidence and drive into his team. These are life lessons we all hope our children learn from participating in sports. Steve loved the game of basketball but he also cared about his players. He kept in touch with players, refs, coaches and anyone who wanted to talk basketball.

I hope Havre remembers and cherishes the memories of all the coaches, players, officials and fans who have gone before and paved the way to help carve the traditions and expectations of excellence at Havre High School.

Please take time to thank someone who had a positive impact on your life, as a way of honoring Coach Huston. I know my life benefited from having Steve Huston in it. I’m proud to be a Havre High School graduate and member of the 1976 State Girls Basketball Championship Team. I’m thankful to have played for Steve Huston and I’ll miss him as a coach and a friend.

Julie Calahan Bauer

Polson