Fred Tibbets loses battle

[BitsTD]

Here is a story some of you basketball fans may be interested in.

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.../80217003/1001

As usual if you want it moved or deleted go ahead.

[sfsd]

Re: Fred Tibbets loses battle

My condolences go out to the entire Tibbetts family. For as polarizing a guy as Fred was, I never had any issues with the guy and often found him to be very enjoyable and entertaining. I heard plenty of tales of some not-so-flattering things he told people (opposing players, coaches, fans) in the heat of the moment. But he was one of the competitive coaches and people I've ever been around. What a major loss for girls basketball in South Dakota.

I remember calling and waking him up in Vegas the night Roosevelt's winning streak ended. He was out there to see Luke and USD playing in a tournament, but he ungroggied himself and talked to me about the game for about 20 minutes or so. Sometimes, I think he drew people's ire because he often played the character of Fred Tibbetts Roosevelt Coach. But he was the lightning rod for those girls during that huge streak and was the one always taking the heat and allowing them to just play.