Former players remember coach

By Scott Moore

January 05, 2009 01:06 am

— It's probable that most people in Norman didn't know Hoy Stone. It's possible that many read his short obituary in Saturday's edition of The Norman Transcript without a reaction or, didn't read it at all.
But to those who did know him, he was a teacher, a coach, a friend and in some cases, a mentor.
"There's a few of us around that try to get together every Christmas," Phil Brockhaus said. "One of us, Larry McGrew, who lives in Arkansas, said that when coach Stone passes on, we should show up to the funeral with our letterjackets."
They'll get that chance today. Stone died Wednesday at age 94. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. at IOOF Cemetery.
Whether any of Stone's former players still have their jackets, or if they can still wear them matters little. What matters is the impact Stone had on his former students and players.
"He was just a great guy that took you under his wing," said Brockhaus, who played basketball for Stone from 1961-65.
"He was always very supportive if you had problems. He tried to make you understand life and tried to get you to always do your best."
Stone coached at the old University High School in Norman from 1950 until the time it closed its doors in 1975. He taught physical education and coached varsity basketball. It was a small school, a private school, that was part of the University of Oklahoma. Most who taught there were student teachers from the university, getting their first starts in the profession.
"It was an excellent school," said Neil Roberts, who played for Stone from 1954-58 and helped win a state championship in '58. "It did have a tuition and it didn't allow too many people. They tried to keep attendance down so the teachers wouldn't get overwhelmed."
A class might have 15 students, which meant the teachers got to know their pupils. That's why so many of Stone's former players still talk about him to this day.
"He taught you good sportsmanship and he taught you about life," Roberts said. "I never knew anyone that didn't like him."
University School's varsity was the equivalent of what a Class B or C team would be today. It competed in the Canadian Valley Conference, competing against mostly local teams such as Blanchard, Lexington, Noble and Newcastle.
In the summer, Stone helped direct the Norman little league baseball program, specifically the Midget League, which consisted of 10 to 12-year-olds.
That's where former Oklahoma City attorney, and current Oklahoma City School Board member Phil Horning encountered Stone as a 10-year-old in 1951.
"He was a kind, gentle-spirited man that touched the community in many different ways," Horning said. "He was just a great guy. He encouraged me to get my life saving certificate. He asked me, 'Can you swim? Get the certificate and you can help me coach swimming.'"
Yes, Stone even taught swimming while guiding the basketball team to conference titles.
Horning played for Stone for four years beginning in 1955-56. That season, the team went just 4-16. But the following season, University High went 18-3 and won the conference crown. Horning was All-Conference three times.
"You know, he was also a really good wrestler," Horning said. "I have a friend who has all of OU's annuals. I looked through them and found his picture."
Stone was a three-year letterman at OU in 1938, '39 and '41, winning Big Six Conference titles in '38 and '41. His highest national finish was third in 1938 at 126 pounds.
Brockhaus, a certified public accountant, did Stone's taxes for years. He played at University High from 1961-65. His most successful season was '63, when the team went 21-4 and made it to state.
Brockhaus said he was fortunate to have such a close relationship with Stone.
"He also had some rent houses," Brockhaus said. "He'd call me up and say, 'Hey, Brocky, I need your help.' So I'd go over to wherever and help move something. I was fortunate to have such a long relationship with him."
Even if some of his former players had not seen him in recent years, they never stopped thinking about the man that helped shaped their lives.
"One of my great regrets in my adult years was that I did not reconnect with him," Horning said. "He was a very positive influence in so many lives."