To the editor:

It has been many years since I was given the opportunity to play for Portsmouth High. Those days were special to me, as they are too many students who participate in extracurricular activities. I remember very little bad or disappointing mostly just great times and the key element in much of the great was Coach Ray Sullivan.

My first exposure to coach was as a 16-year-old transfer student from Ohio. Sitting in Coach Sullivan’s office and having him ask me, “What position do you play?” I proudly said halfback and his response was, “Already have a halfback.” I was devastated but coach then said, “Can you play quarterback?” I lied and said yes.

He then, over the next two years, made me into a quarterback. In 1968 we had a great team. Strong at all positions, save quarterback, and coach installed a no-huddle, zone-read offensive system where we called the plays at the line of scrimmage. (This offense is all the rage in 2015, but we ran it in 1968.) We averaged over 30 points per game, winning the Class C state title.

I could go on talking about football, but coach was much more; he was a presence in the school. Along with the great teachers at PHS, coach was in the classrooms, in the halls, at the dances — but not as disciplinarian but as a leader, a mentor, someone who cared about all “students.” He taught this jock that academics is what is important. I always thought of myself as an athlete. He taught me to be a student who played athletics and for that I will be forever grateful.

I got to spend time with coach several years ago and got to tell him how much I appreciated what he did for me. I am sorry I did see him more recently. He leaves a wonderful family and a legacy that we as PHS alumni will carry on. RIP Coach.

Drew Bickel

Fairfield, Conn.

The writer graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1969.