Alec Anderson's obituary didn't include mention of any "man of the year'' honors or other individual awards.
That may seem surprising for a man of his stature, but those who knew him really shouldn't be surprised at all.
Anderson, the former Kankakee High School football coach who later served as athletic director at three different Illinois high schools, died unexpectedly of a heart attack last Wednesday. He was 54.
He spent his years on earth promoting others rather than himself. He wasn't interested in personal accolades. The accomplishments mentioned in the obituary, which ran in The Weekend Edition of The Daily Journal, did list the achievements of the teams he was involved with through the years, success that was realized through collective rather than singular efforts.
While Anderson didn't promote himself, he tirelessly promoted the players he led, and the testimonials that poured in after he died stand as a more fitting salute than any plaque hanging from a wall ever could.
So many tributes came from his former players at Kankakee High, it's difficult to mention them all. But they had a prevailing theme — he was a coach who molded boys into men, helped many of them find a way to go to college and helped them succeed both on and off the field.
I had the distinct pleasure of covering Anderson's teams while serving as a sportswriter at The Daily Journal in the 1980s and '90s. While it's important that reporters don't become too cozy with their sources, I will admit now Anderson was and always will be among my very favorites.
One of the things I admired most about him was his penchant for deflecting credit and accepting blame. When the Kays earned a big victory, he praised his players. When they suffered a loss, he tended to point the finger at himself, saying he didn't do a good enough job preparing the team for a game.
He was proud of his guys and not afraid to show it. The last time I saw him he displayed that kind of pride once more, and it will serve as a lasting memory.
It was about a year ago. I was walking into the Kankakee Wal-Mart at the same time he was walking out. We stopped and visited for about five minutes, and during that time, he introduced me to his daughter, Sierra.
He beamed as he made the introduction. It was evident he had again put someone before himself.
Anderson won't be able to set that example anymore, but it's important that those who came into contact with him continue this legacy. Choose selflessness over selfishness, and you will leave a mark that will survive long after you're gone.
<em>Mike Frey is the managing editor of The Daily Journal. He can be reached at 815-937-3343 or mfrey@daily-journal.com.</em>
Visitation for Alec Anderson will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Lax Mortuary, 187 S. Greenwood Ave., Kankakee. Funeral services will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Kankakee Junior High School, 2250 E. Crestwood St.