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<P><FONT SIZE=6>n</FONT>o one knows where the words we speak and the actions we take will end. Or the effect they will have on someone unknown to us.
Such was the case for Bill Washington, founder of Auburn's modern day swim program.

<P>These were the sixties and the idea of a comprehensive, well-rounded athletics program was a dream for Auburn's future. It was not a reality of that present.

<P>Bill Washington, like most Auburn coaches of "non-revenue" sports, had two jobs, one as a coach, another as a teacher.

<P>It was in this capacity, that of teacher, that Washington came across Jackie Spencer, a reserve halfback whose chief claim to fame was a 38-yard touchdown punt return just before the half of the Mississippi State game in 1959. It broke open a close game and Auburn went on to win 31-0.

<P>Spencer, like most college students, was looking for direction as he faced an uncertain future after athletics. He wanted to coach and turned to Washington for advice, guidance and wise counsel.

<P>Washington told him to start his career at the junior high school level because he could have such a positive impact on young people of that age. He made a call and helped Spencer get a job at Goodwin Junior High in Montgomery. Spencer was apprehensive, but Washington told him again and again, "You can do it. You can do it..."

<P>Years later, years and years later, Washington ran across another young man, John Harkins. Harkins was a member of Washington's Auburn Scuba Club and the two became fast friends.

<P>They opened Adventure Sports, an outdoors sporting good store, together, but a year later Harkins had to return home to Huntsville to care for his dying Dad.
Harkins never returned to Auburn, but he stayed in touch with Washington. Washington was the best man in Harkins' wedding, the namesake for his son, and was an ever ready source of advice and counsel.

<P>In 1992, Harkins was considering the purchase of a major computer software company. It would be a daring venture and a major financial commitment would be needed. He called his old friend and shared with him his hopes and dreams, his uncertainties and fears.

<P>Two days later, Harkins received a check from Washington with this note, "Good luck. You can do it, Love, Coach."

<P>Harkins called Washington that night to thank him. He could barely speak as he told Washington how he felt when he got his letter.

<P>He recalled how his coach in junior high, the late Jackie Spencer, used those same words to encourage him when he was but a young boy. "You can do it! You can do it!," Spencer had said again, and again. "You can do it!"

<P> "I knew Jackie Spencer," Washington said. "I helped him get his first job, at Goodwin Junior High in Montgomery!"

<P>Harkins had gone to Goodwin Junior High and for the first time, he realized Washington's influence on his life had begun long before they met. Washington encouraged Jackie Spencer, who, in turn, encouraged him with the credo, "You can do it, you can do it!"

<P>Harkins, now president of that successful computer software finds time to be a volunteer coach at his son's school, Madison Academy.

<P>He sees coaching as a gift. "It is an opportunity to teach a child by example and by faith, to help them become better players and better people because they know someone believes in them." In other words, "You can do it! You can do it!"

<P>No one knows where the words we speak and the actions we perform will end. Or the effect they will have on someone unknown to us.
Ask Bill Washington.

<P>The stadium at Madison Academy near Huntsville was named "Bill Washington Stadium" in his honor earlier this year.

<P>Named for him because 40 years ago, he told a young man, "You can do it! you can do it!"

<P>Where Bill Washington's influence will end, no one knows.
The same is true for each of us.

<P ALIGN=CENTER><A HREF="./" target="_top">TABLE OF CONTENTS</A> | <A HREF="../" target="_top">PROGRAM INDEX</A> | <A HREF="../../index.html" target="_top">HOME</A></P>

<P ALIGN=CENTER><I>&copy; 1999 Auburn Network, Inc.</I></P>


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	<HTML>

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	<TITLE>David Housel Column</TITLE>

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	<H1 ALIGN=CENTER> <IMG ALT="Housel's Desk " ALIGN =CENTER WIDTH=434 HEIGHT=102 BORDER=2 SRC="../pic/housldsk.jpg"> </H1>
	<BR><BR>

	<P><FONT SIZE=6>n</FONT>o one knows where the words we speak and the actions we take will end. Or the effect they will have on someone unknown to us.
	Such was the case for Bill Washington, founder of Auburn's modern day swim program.

	<P>These were the sixties and the idea of a comprehensive, well-rounded athletics program was a dream for Auburn's future. It was not a reality of that present.

	<P>Bill Washington, like most Auburn coaches of "non-revenue" sports, had two jobs, one as a coach, another as a teacher.

	<P>It was in this capacity, that of teacher, that Washington came across Jackie Spencer, a reserve halfback whose chief claim to fame was a 38-yard touchdown punt return just before the half of the Mississippi State game in 1959. It broke open a close game and Auburn went on to win 31-0.

	<P>Spencer, like most college students, was looking for direction as he faced an uncertain future after athletics. He wanted to coach and turned to Washington for advice, guidance and wise counsel.

	<P>Washington told him to start his career at the junior high school level because he could have such a positive impact on young people of that age. He made a call and helped Spencer get a job at Goodwin Junior High in Montgomery. Spencer was apprehensive, but Washington told him again and again, "You can do it. You can do it..."

	<P>Years later, years and years later, Washington ran across another young man, John Harkins. Harkins was a member of Washington's Auburn Scuba Club and the two became fast friends.

	<P>They opened Adventure Sports, an outdoors sporting good store, together, but a year later Harkins had to return home to Huntsville to care for his dying Dad.
	Harkins never returned to Auburn, but he stayed in touch with Washington. Washington was the best man in Harkins' wedding, the namesake for his son, and was an ever ready source of advice and counsel.

	<P>In 1992, Harkins was considering the purchase of a major computer software company. It would be a daring venture and a major financial commitment would be needed. He called his old friend and shared with him his hopes and dreams, his uncertainties and fears.

	<P>Two days later, Harkins received a check from Washington with this note, "Good luck. You can do it, Love, Coach."

	<P>Harkins called Washington that night to thank him. He could barely speak as he told Washington how he felt when he got his letter.

	<P>He recalled how his coach in junior high, the late Jackie Spencer, used those same words to encourage him when he was but a young boy. "You can do it! You can do it!," Spencer had said again, and again. "You can do it!"

	<P> "I knew Jackie Spencer," Washington said. "I helped him get his first job, at Goodwin Junior High in Montgomery!"

	<P>Harkins had gone to Goodwin Junior High and for the first time, he realized Washington's influence on his life had begun long before they met. Washington encouraged Jackie Spencer, who, in turn, encouraged him with the credo, "You can do it, you can do it!"

	<P>Harkins, now president of that successful computer software finds time to be a volunteer coach at his son's school, Madison Academy.

	<P>He sees coaching as a gift. "It is an opportunity to teach a child by example and by faith, to help them become better players and better people because they know someone believes in them." In other words, "You can do it! You can do it!"

	<P>No one knows where the words we speak and the actions we perform will end. Or the effect they will have on someone unknown to us.
	Ask Bill Washington.

	<P>The stadium at Madison Academy near Huntsville was named "Bill Washington Stadium" in his honor earlier this year.

	<P>Named for him because 40 years ago, he told a young man, "You can do it! you can do it!"

	<P>Where Bill Washington's influence will end, no one knows.
	The same is true for each of us.

	<P ALIGN=CENTER><A HREF="./" target="_top">TABLE OF CONTENTS</A> \| <A HREF="../" target="_top">PROGRAM INDEX</A> \| <A HREF="../../index.html" target="_top">HOME</A></P>

	<P ALIGN=CENTER><I>© 1999 Auburn Network, Inc.</I></P>


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