B-O-K: A former teacher/coach remembers

IN THE EARLY 1950s, the Edward W. Bok Vocational-Technical School, at 9th and Mifflin streets in South Philadelphia, was home to about 2,500 day-school pupils. It provided emergency education for thousands of Americans in the field of war production. Bok Tech taught veterans respectable trade skills, seven days a week, so they could find immediate employment, with courses ranging from 12 hours to three years.

During World War II, the crew members of the U.S.S. Alaska received training as they awaited their ship at the Philadelphia Naval Base Shipyard. Red Cross workers, air-raid wardens, air cadets and Marines were trained at Bok.

Now, Bok Tech, an eight-story building that encompasses an entire block, is preparing to close at the end of the week. We teachers were told that the walls have ears. What would the walls of Bok have to say?

I started my teaching career at Bok in September 1969. The school was dealing with racial strife, and local teens were fighting for gang territory. I discovered quickly that I had to rely on experienced teachers for support and guidance. Guys like football coach Charlie Guida and basketball coach Ernie Beck - the heart and soul of Bok. They were professionals who made a difference in the lives of their students, always enhancing their self-esteem, never diminishing it.

Despite the racial tensions, Bok was a thriving school that offered courses in everything from carpentry, welding, tailoring, auto mechanics and plumbing, to culinary arts, business education, health occupations and cosmetology. The students were engaged and energetic as their teachers inspired their dreams and prepared them for the future. "Go to Bok and B-O-K!" became a motto for so many of our students and athletes.

The school produced Jeff Chandler, a Bok welder who became a bantamweight-champion boxer. In 1982, I saw him fight Johnny Carter, a Bok tailor, in a nationally televised bout in Philadelphia. They were friends in high school, but that day they were warriors. I had the pleasure of teaching both of them.

I'm just as proud of my mechanic Phil Ricks, an All-Public football player at Bok; Shawn "Air Smooth" White, a musician with a doctorate in human services who recently passed away; and Traci Ray, who married former 49ers wide receiver John Taylor and now works with Eagles wideout DeSean Jackson.

Other graduates - today's doctors, lawyers, politicians, law-enforcement officers, professional athletes, carpenters, electricians, cosmetologists, business leaders, chefs, nurses - have fond memories of their high-school years. Their varsity jackets have surfaced throughout the Delaware Valley, and there isn't a section of the city where someone won't see a Bok shirt or jacket and call out, "Hey, I went to Bok!"

It was a school where almost every teacher and student worked from their hearts and with empathy. The Bok family has demonstrated brilliance in academics, technology, vocational training and athletics. However, the hallways and the gymnasiums that showcase the banners honoring these achievements will be gone. I hope and pray that the accomplishments and memories of the Bok faculty and alumni will be remembered forever.

During my 43 years as a teacher and coach at Bok, my job was to guide, direct, comfort, console and discipline. I had to maintain perseverance, patience and devotion while remaining steadfast during times of trial and tribulation. My philosophy had always been to treat coaching as an extension of the school day. Some of my coaching experiences were not only memorable, but inspirational.

In the 1990s, we wanted to challenge our players, so we started scheduling football games outside the city. Our first game was against the Hun School in Princeton, N.J. We lost that Saturday morning, but it was a great beginning, as our players demonstrated self-control and team control. The fans at the prestigious school were amazed at the positive behavior of the Bok players.

When we played Pius X from Pottstown at our home field at 10th and Bigler streets, the opponents arrived in a huge blue-and-white bus. Our players thought they were Penn State's freshman team! We also got to play under the Friday-night lights against Unionville High School in a PIAA playoff game.

Bok has had athletic achievements in all sports, and we are proud that Bok was the first Philadelphia school to participate in the PIAA playoffs in football and baseball.

I have developed an enormous number of friendships with former students and athletes, attending weddings, graduations, birthdays, christenings and even funerals. At each occasion, there was always that intangible sense of closeness, comfort and confidence that the school fostered in all of us. Bok was a little-known and special place. All you had to do was walk through those marble halls and terrazzo floors, and you knew it was different from other schools. The quality of character and attitude was evident in everyone's eyes. There was hope that a bright future was ahead. Bok always provided that magic.

After all these years of teaching and coaching at Bok, I could share countless memories. Thousands of students come to mind, as does an endless list of teachers, coaches and staff. To go to Bok, to teach at Bok, to coach at Bok, to be a part of Bok is something that's difficult to explain. Simply put, Bok was a family. It allowed my heart to grow bigger.

And remember, you will always B-O-K.

AxisPhilly and NBC 10 will be holding a forum tonight at 6 on the future uses of the building housing Bok High at New Hope Temple Baptist Church at 711 S. 12th St. The event is free. Community members can register at http://bok.eventbrite.com