News from Nov. 20, 2007:

Area coaches, community reflect on Proctor's impact

By Tommy Keeler Jr. -- Daily Staff Writer

STRASBURG — The words stuck with John Wymer forever.

When Wymer, the former cross country coach and athletic director at Stonewall Jackson, was a student at Strasburg, he heard Glenn Proctor talking to a fellow student.

"He told this kid, 'I will never be your pal, but I will always be there to help you,'" Wymer recalled Monday. "What I got out of that was, if you respected him, he would always be there for you. It was one little moment, but it always stuck with me."

Wymer said he always told his players the same thing. A 1967 graduate of Strasburg, Wymer, like many in the community, always looked up to Proctor, who announced his retirement Monday.

"He's always been a special person to me," Wymer said. "If it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't have went to college at Glenville State — just like he did. I went on to coach one year at Strasburg and coached the JV football team with coach [Millson] French because of [Proctor]. Then I moved on to Stonewall and became AD just like him.

"He's always been like a mentor to me. He was always there for me if I needed anything."

Proctor coached football for the last 44 years at Strasburg, but to many he did most of his coaching outside the lines.

Ike Himelright was part of Proctor's first football team in 1964. Himelright said the values that he learned in that year under Proctor served him well when he joined the Army after high school.

"I think the biggest thing I learned from him was discipline, and that really helped me when I went into the service," Himelright said. "It really helped me when it came to listening to my sergeants and lieutenants. He was very demanding, but you always wanted to do as much as you could to help him and help the team."

Sherando coach Bill Hall also been deeply affected by Proctor over the years. Hall, a 1992 graduate of Strasburg, said Proctor has meant a lot to him as a coach and as a person.

"Along with mom and dad, he's one of the most influential people in my life," Hall said. "Not only was he a great football coach, but he helped mold a bunch of young boys into men.

"Obviously I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for him and his guidance and leadership. He taught you how to do things the right way."

When told of Proctor's retirement, Hall said the news "kind of floored me." Hall said he knew that it would happen sometime, but he was sad to hear the news.

Gary Ramsey played for Proctor from 1966-69 and then later coached as an assistant with him for 28 years, but the news wasn't all that unexpected to him.

"I had heard rumors that he might do it," Ramsey said. "I knew he was determined not to let it happen after a really bad year. The last three or four years haven't been quite as good for Strasburg, but this year they had a pretty good year, so I'm not too surprised."

French, who has been Strasburg's boys basketball coach for 34 years, said Proctor will be sorely missed at the school.

"He's a legend," French said. "He's been a mentor to me and a lot of other coaches. He's one of those guys I don't think you can replace. He's been a great friend and we're sure gonna miss him."

Not only has Proctor had a big effect on his students and players, but he made a big impact in the Strasburg community.

"He is the face of the Strasburg Rams," Hall said. "He's everything a Ram embodies — bleeding purple and things like that, consistency, calm, perseverance. When you think about being a Strasburg Ram, he's the first person you think about.

"He's laid the foundation of success in all Strasburg's programs. He set the tone for doing things the right way on the field, in the classroom and in the community."

Now the community must find a way to move on and find a new coach to lead the Rams, while Proctor moves into retirement.

Proctor may be leaving, but it's clear he will never be forgotten.

"I can tell you one thing this area's losing one of the best coaches ever," Hall said. "Strasburg's not only losing a great coach, but they're losing a great person."

* Contact Tommy Keeler Jr. at tkeeler@nvdaily.com