Proposal to Recognize-Joe Courthers
Posted Sunday, December 27, 2009 02:32 PM

 

Proposal to Recognize-Joe Courthers
As many of you know Joe Courthers was inducted into the Missouri Wrestling Hall of Fame some years ago. While there have been many recognitions of his contributions to Missouri wrestling I think it is appropriate that he be recognized for his contribution to the Class of 1961.
You may have forgotten or possibly did care but only three sort years after starting the North Kansas City High wrestling team in 1958/59 North Kansas City fought its’ way to the state meet in St. Louis. In February of 1961 North Kansas City place 4th in total team point at that meet and brought back two second place medals. 
What is important to recognize about Joe is not the winning of meets and medals but the enormous effort he put into to the making us successful. Miles of driving an old school bus, in the cold of winter,  full us to distant places to make sure we had the experience needed to win in the regional’s and at the State Meet in St. Louis. The year of 1960/61 we traveled to Corning Iowa, Topeka Kansas and St. Louis (over the Christmas holidays). Joe and the assistant coach would take turns driving. No other team in the state put in the miles we did.
While there were a number of teachers I believe were outstanding examples of good citizenship and role models for the Class of 1961, a.k.a. Mr. Moore (Trig and Algebra), I believe it is important to recognize those that took the students of the class of 1961 beyond what was and routine, and to start a new tradition for North Kansas City.    
Thanks for your consideration.