Dear Editor,

This letter is written to express my gratitude to a former teacher and coach in Escalon, Paul Ferdinandson, in his passing.

There have been three great influences in my life, Lloyd Engel, Thomas Oleta and Paul. All three coached at Escalon High School. They instilled in me the will to win but not at the expense of fair play.

Of the three, Paul had the most influence on me. During my high school years we had four straight championship basketball teams. You have to be a great coach to achieve that.

Escalon High School can be proud of these men, not only as great coaches, but as good men.

Harold Peterson