LARRY WILCOX
Longtime Benedictine football coach Larry Wilcox underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery last week in Kansas City and is already home and recovering — ahead of schedule — which is pretty incredible. Assistant coach Charlie Gartenmayer led the Ravens to a 24-7 win over William Jewell in the season opener last Saturday. Benedictine hosts Evangel on Saturday.
Here’s a rundown of the facts on Coach Wilcox, who is nothing short of an institution in Atchison:
*Played football and graduated from Benedictine in 1972
*Hired as head coach at Benedictine in 1979
*Career record of 207-114
*Fifth coach to earn 200 wins at NAIA level and is the sixth-winningest coach in NAIA history (WOW)
*Heart of America coach of the year four times, five HOA titles.
*11 NAIA playoff appearances, including eight straight from 1996-2003
*Contributed entire 2004 salary to complete the expansion of the Amino Center, where the football offices and weight room are located.
*And there’s this … when the Ravens play, they do it at Larry Wilcox Stadium.
Get well soon, CW.
-TA