Articles and Nominations

Citizen Through the Years

"To whom it may concern: I would like to nominate and highly recommend Coach Kenneth Cleveland for 'Citizens Through the Years.' He has represented the community of Dimmitt in the highest form and fashion possible for the last 30 years. Coach Cleveland has worked diligently with the young people of Dimmitt through the basketball team and many other ways and has accomplished many, many records! I know that he has brought Dimmitt many precious moments that we will never forget! I would like to recognize this man as truly an outstanding person and a high-class citizen! Sincerely, Jeff Bell"

"To whom it concerns: I would like to submit Mr. Kenneth Cleveland for Citizen Through the Years. Kenneth came to Dimmitt, Texas in 1962 and has been basketball coach for this many years in Dimmitt High School. He has touched the lives of many, many kids through these years. I think he has been a stimulating force to many boys both in sports and also everyday living. Kenneth is a very dedicated, Christian man and is really an upstanding individual in all that he does. So I would nominate him for Citizen Through the Years." -Bill Birdwell

"I feel that Coach Kenneth Cleveland should be Citizen Through the Years because of the tremendous positive contributions he has made to the city of Dimmitt in his years as a resident there. Down through the years, the words "basketball" and "Coach Cleveland" have become synonymous with the city of Dimmitt. It is most likely that Coach has done more than any one person to put Dimmitt on the map. As a player on his first (if not his greatest) team, I have had the pleasure of knowing Kenneth for a number of years. His dedication to his players and others seem to have grown with time and he is never too busy to share a smile. The greatest compliment I could pay Kenneth is this: If I could choose but one man to entrust the athletic upbringing of my own son, Kenneth would be that man. In closing, I would like to say that I appreciate the opportunity to express my opinion. I know this is a great honor and one that I am certain Coach is worthy of. Sincerely, Dwight Cathey"

"Kenneth Cleveland is truly a success story. He is a successful coach, educator, and citizen of Dimmitt, Texas. He has dedicated his life in building young men and women through athletics. He has come in contact with many people during his twenty-five years in Dimmitt and because of this, we are better citizens. He not only teaches basketball, but also about the game of life. Kenneth Cleveland is a living example of what he stands for. Sincerely, Bill Sanders"

"It is a distinct honor to support the nomination of Kenneth Cleveland as Dimmitt's 1988 Citizen Through the Years. Coach, as he is known to the community, has been one of the most stabilizing forces behind the continued success of Dimmitt as a community. He has trained the current and future leaders of our town. As one of those in a leadership position, I can attest to the high moral background which Coach instills as the basic foundation for life in all his proteges. He also stresses maximum performance, not at a price, but with a sense of accomplishment. Often, this has resulted in visible victories in his profession, but more often has resulted in not so visible victories in the lives of people he has touched.
Within Coach's profession, he has been highly recognized by those within and outside of his profession. This recognition and success has reaped untold benefits and recognition to our small rural community. This recognition far outweighs the material deeds that we so often look to reward.
Because Kenneth Cleveland has spent a lifetime dedicating himself to the youth of our community, he has probably not been visible within the normal community circles. Again, we must look to the products of his profession to see the great wealth that one man can give to an area. Since that wealth is our leaders, then we must recognize the source of our resources. Coach is our source for now and the future. I urge you to recognize the intangible value this man has been to our community by bestowing the well-deserved Citizen Through the Years Award to this builder of character. Sincerely, David Schaeffer"

"I would like to nominate our coach, Kenneth Cleveland for consideration for Citizen Through the Years. Lawyers and attorneys all over Texas know about Dimmitt and Kenneth, especially around the Coleman, Texas area. Kenneth has been a credit to the coaching profession and would be a worthy recipient of this honor. Thank you, Jack R. Miller"

"We would like to nominate Kenneth Cleveland for our Citizen Through the Years. He is someone who has been an ambassador for our city and county for as long as he has lived here. Not only has he been an example to the people who live here, but also to everyone he meets on the basketball court and off. His qualities that have made him a successful coach also qualify him for a successful citizen of our town-- a drive to give the best he has--and ability to make his players give their best--dedication and endurance--loyalty--respect for other people. We believe it would be an honor for our town to have Coach Cleveland representing us as our Citizen Through the Years. Thanks, Norman and Kim Hays"

"He has brought recognition to the town of Dimmitt by his and his basketball teams' many appearances and accomplishments in the state tournament. He has shown our children what hard work and fair play can accomplish. He is respected by coaches and administrators throughout the state of Texas."

"I have known Kenneth Cleveland as a coach, teacher, golf partner, and most of all, friend. I feel he has been one of the biggest assets to our community and at the least is most deserving of this award." -Kent Lindsey

"We the undersigned would like to nominate Kenneth Cleveland for Citizen Through the Years." -George Rasor, Richard Wood, Clifford Smith, Ray

"I would like to nominate Kenneth Cleveland for the award of Citizen Through the Years. Kenneth has made a significant contribution to our community in a quiet way. His basketball program has put the town of Dimmitt on the Texas map. The most important thing he has done is not his win-loss record, but the development of young men that have come through his program. He has developed character, leadership, work-habits, discipline, integrity, and many other attributes. These young men continue to play a most important part in our community." -Eddie Sutton

"I would like to nominate Kenneth Cleveland for Citizen Through the Years. Kenneth has been a positive influence on Dimmitt High School, Castro County, the state of Texas and especially the young men he has coached and is now coaching. He has given me a lot of enjoyable moments and a lot of pride in my school and city." -L.H. Myatt

"I would like to express my full support for Kenneth Cleveland as a candidate for "Citizen Through the Years." I truly believe that his contribution to our young people and to the pride for our community has been immeasurable. His influence has given so many of our young men some constructive activities to participate in and some goals to shoot for. The accomplishments of our athletic program have brought our community together and given us all some additional pride int eh fact that we live in Dimmitt. Kenneth has always been looked up to by the young and old persons in this community. The fact that he is still living in Dimmitt demonstrates the pride he has for living in this community. He always works hard at his job and he always acts in a very professional manner. He always has a smile and a handshake ready for me every time I see him. I'm proud to support him for this honor." -Layne Myatt

"Kenneth Cleveland-- a name synonymous with Dimmitt basketball since 1960; he has brought publicity and fame to our little city and the area, and we are grateful to him for that, but most of all we appreciate him for the training and good influence he has been and is to our boys. Money cannot pay for the extra time, dedication, and example he was and is to our sons, and by nominating him as Citizen Through the Years, we hope to express part of our appreciation."

"For Citizen Through the Years, I suggest Kenneth Cleveland, who is a teacher and coach at Dimmitt High School. Kenneth has turned in a very good job every year for over one-fourth of a century. I take for granted that the task was not as simple as it has looked to some of us on the concrete seats in the west stands at the Dimmitt Middle School. I remember well a speech in the school auditorium at the Lorenzo High School auditorium fifty-seven years ago by the President of Howard Payne University. The theme of the speech was, "O, Consistency, Thou Art a Jewel." It is on this basis that I make my suggestion on behalf of Kenneth Cleveland for the Citizen of the Years Award." -J.O. Seale, Mattie Seale

"In the 26 years Coach Kenneth Cleveland has been a citizen of Dimmitt, he has touched all of our lives in a positive way. He has filled our gyms, our trophy cases, our hearts with pride and our minds with success. Our economic climate changes from year to year--but Coach puts a winner on the floor every year. He makes winners of us all. That is why Coach should be Citizen Through the Years."

"I am pleased to submit the name of Kenneth Cleveland for consideration as Citizen Through the Years. Not only do you hear great things about Cleveland and Dimmitt away from the community, but you learn to appreciate what you sometimes take for granted. Of Coach Cleveland, here are a few of the comments that I have heard over the past sixteen years away from Dimmitt: "Cleveland sure is a classy guy," "Cleveland is not only a good coach, but a grand gentleman," "Dimmitt is sure lucky to have a man of his character and abilities." I must agree with the statements, but add that, I have been extremely fortunate that Kenneth Cleveland came my way as a teacher, coach, and mostly, a friend. Thank you for your consideration of this individual as Citizen Through the Years. Sincerely, Max Newman"

"I nominate Kenneth Cleveland, athletic director and basketball coach at Dimmitt High School, as Citizen Through the Years. Kenneth has been head basketball coach for a period of time in excess of 25 years. During such time, he has brought notoriety to Dimmitt through the success of his basketball teams. In traveling down-state, I find that more people associate Dimmitt with their basketball program than they do with our strong agricultural and economic base. For such accomplishments, I feel that Kenneth Cleveland would be a worthy choice for Citizen Through the Years. Yours truly, Jimmy L. Ross"

"Brings positive statewide recognition to the city of Dimmitt. Has made winning a way of life in Dimmitt. Instills a winning attitude in the young people he works with. Honored by his peers statewide. He has helped prepare young people for leadership positions in our community. Also provides our social life for five months each year. He provides counsel and guidance through Christian leadership while reinforcing high moral standards to all young people that he works with." -Stanley and Geneva Schaeffer

"I am writing to support Kenneth Cleveland for Citizen Through the Years. As a lifelong resident of Dimmitt, I have known Coach all of my life. he has personally influenced my life and my family's in a very positive manner just as he has many others. I realize we often think Citizen Through the Years must be a person who has been an influential civic leader and worker. On the contrary, Coach has dedicated his entire life to education, sports, and the development of our youth. But what better can you give a community back than strong youthful leaders for tomorrow? As an ex-student of his, I still regard him as one of the most dedicated and caring teachers in our school system, and I feel honored that my son is privileged to have him both as a teacher and coach. He promotes strong Christian values in our youth, along with a desire to do the best they can. In addition, coach has promoted our small town throughout the state by building an excellent boys' basketball program in Dimmitt. It has brought financial support and recognition to our school for many years. Most of the citizens in this community have spent numerous hours of enjoyment in the gym either as a spectator, participant, or both. I feel Kenneth Cleveland is truly an asset not only to our school system, but to our community. He is and will continue to be a good citizen through the years. Sincerely, Allan Bradley"

"I would like to support the nomination of Coach Kenneth Cleveland as the 1988 recipient of Citizen Through the Years Award. Other than his great success as an outstanding coach, please consider his success as an excellent teacher, molder of young men and women, and family supporter. He has been an asset to our community in many ways. Consider the spirit that has bonded our city and county from his many successful years as coach and teacher. I was well aware of Kenneth Cleveland before moving to Dimmitt in 1967. I knew of him at Sonora and I attended college with some of his players and students. Many are well aware that he could also have made his contributions elsewhere, but he elected to stay in Dimmitt. Citizens Through the Years Award was founded for just a person as Kenneth Cleveland. Please consider bestowing this award on this fine gentleman for 1988." -Robert J. Minnick

"I think Kenneth Cleveland should be awarded the Citizen Through the Years honor because of his dedication to the youth of Dimmitt. His guidance and dedication have molded the lives of many young people and is evidenced by the fact that many ofh is former students still ahve the direction and desire he instilled in them while coaching. Kenneth Cleveland has put Dimmitt, Texas on the map." -Robert McLean

"I would like to recommend Kenneth Cleveland as our Citizen Through the Years. Coach Cleveland is in his 27th year as basketball coach in Dimmitt; this alone speaks very highly of any coach. He has touched the lives of many students at Dimmitt High School. Coach Cleveland's basketball teams, over these many years, have given Dimmitt more positive recognition than anyone or anything. Dimmitt is well known statewide because of this man and the students who played for him. I feel that Kenneth Cleveland would be an excellent choice as Citizen Through The Years. I would like to see us honor this individual for all of the positive contributions he has made to the young people of Dimmitt, our school, and our town." -Gene King

"I would like to add my support to Kenneth Cleveland for the 1987 Citizen Through the Years. Even though I am a relative newcomer to the community, Coach Cleveland's reputation and basketball program has been known to me for many, many years. His coaching and guidance is reflected in many of our young business and professional people today. I also feel that Coach Cleveland has done as much as anyone over the years to draw attention to our community. For these and many other reasons, I again offer my support to Kenneth Cleveland for Citizen Through the Years." -Ray M. Bain

Articles and Stories

Coach Cleveland's 'Boys' Keep His Legacy Alive, Lance Lanhert

Steve Myatt is a Gruver Lady Hound through and through. Twelve years as the girls' basketball coach of the red and black will do that to a soul.
But when Myatt makes that long-awaited walk to find his coaching chair on the Erwin Center floor in Austin this morning in the Class 1A Division I Championship game at girls' state basketball tournament, a slide of Dimmitt will beat in his heart.
In particular, Myatt will give a wink to the heavens toward "Coach" as he coaches his first state tournament game.
"Oh, no doubt," Myatt said. "Coach will be in my heart. He and my dad (J.H.) are my role models."
Coach to Myatt is Kenneth Cleveland.
Cleveland was the gray-haired, bespectacled, easy-going gentleman and builder of the Dimmitt Bobcats boys basketball program for 32 years.
Clevelan's coaching record was an eye-opening 887-277, winning state championships in 1975, 1982 and 1983. He guided the Bobcats to 27 district titles before he was killed when struck by lightning May 16, 1993.
Well, Kenneth was the co-builder of that Dimmitt program. Libby, Cleveland's wife, was there every bounce of the basketball. Her orange slices at halftime for "their boys" were as much a help to Dimmitt's success as that class 2-3 zone.
Myatt moved to Dimmitt as an 8th grader and was a senior on the Bobcats 1975 state championship team.
"I have always compared Coach to John Wooden, honestly," Myatt said of Cleveland, almost as famous for his non-shouting sideline behavior as his wins. "His demeanor. His view on success. His view on life. He was such a devoted family man and such a good person. He was always concerned about his boys. And we were hist boys even when we became men."
Cleveland's "boys" have been busy.
Myatt has Gruver in the girls' state tournament for the first time in school history. This is Myatt's first chance to participate in a tournament game since good 'ol 1975.
A sophomore guard on the 1975 Dimmitt team will also be on the sidelines in Austin toady when Johnny Hampton takes his seat as an assistant for the Canyon Lady Eagles.
Tuesday night, former Dimmitt players John Smith (Dimmitt class of 1983) and Jerry Schaeffer (class of 1977) were coaching in the regional quarterfinals.
Smith's Amarillo High squad fell to talented Cedar Hill in the 5A playoffs. But Smith is making a name at AHS. he led the Sandies to 28 wins, third-most in school history with a junior-oriented team.
Schaeffer's Pampa squad was dumped by Frenship in 4A. But Pampa's ability to get to the third round of the playoffs with 12 losses was one of the great coaching jobs in our area this year.
Adding to the list of Cleveland's "boys" coaching in the playoffs is Jeff Bell (Class of 1978). Bell's Brock boys team was in the 2A regional quarterfinals last night.
Of course, current Dimmitt boys' coach Alan Steinle--who joined the Dimmitt coaching staff under Cleveland in 1982-- has done "Coach" proud the past 10 years in keeping the flame of class and integrity burning. Plus, the winning. His Bobcats reached the state tournament in 2001 and 2002 and made the area round of the playoffs this year.
Myatt, Smith and Schaeffer said playing under Cleveland made it seem like the coaching profession was the No. 1 job in the world. Some of Cleveland's sayings still stick with the former Bobcats.
"I always thought he had the coolest job around," Myatt said. "Coach Cleveland's influence on me was how you become a dedicated player. Playing to your potential, even if you lose, was more important to him than winning. And you never get too high, or you never get too low. He was about constantly trying to improve."
Myatt said since he is a girls' coach his influences today include coaches like Canyon girls coach Joe Lombard and West Texas A&M women's coach Bob Schneider.
Myatt's moment in the sun today will have added pleasure. His daughter, Cassie, is a key junior player for the Lady Hounds. His parents and brother, who still live in Dimmitt, are in Austin watching the championship game.
"I might kiss the floor when I get on it," said Myatt, his speech at rapid fire when he talked.
One thing is for sure today. While Myatt's Xs and Os might not include Coach's 2-3 zone, the foundation of the Lady Hounds run to state is one he learned from Kenneth Cleveland.
"I always felt like they created a family atmosphere for basketball," Myatt said. "Libby was our second mom. I try to do that with my team. And I fall short of that. But that's my goal. We (former players) talk about how we don't measure up at all to him.
"Our 25-year anniversary (of winning state) was in 2000. Seeing all the Dimmitt exes there, all those players and coaches coming around to talk. It was very evident that one man had a tremendous influence. No doubt Coach's coaching legacy is alive."

Article: Dedicated to The Kenneth Cleveland
Legacy

Ken Cleveland has been called the John Wooden of Texas high school basketball by more than a few who knew him. But, most folks from Dimmitt looked at John Wooden as the Ken Cleveland of college basketball. Whatever your perspective might be, the comparison is actually a compliment to both of these great basketball coaches. Though Coach Wooden performed his magic on a much larger stage, the similarities between the two men are remarkable. Both were humble, polite gentlemen on and off the court. Both were devout Christians who were most proud of their families. Both were outstanding players in high school and college inspiring teammates with their hustle and skill. Both could take a group of individuals and mold them into a united overachieving team without raising their voices or using profanity. While deep-rooted competitiveness drove them to outstanding achievements, both displayed a calm, poised confidence that was mirrored by their players. Most of all, both had the kind of life-long impact on those around them that every coach dreams of. In short, these two great men were the standard by which all other coaches were measured.
Kenneth Cleveland was born and raised in Coleman, Texas, where he was a four-year letterman and all-state basketball player. Ken was also a four-year letterman in football, a district champion tennis player and an outstanding student and school leader. However, the most important event in his life took place while he was in 5th grade. A new girl named Libby Pegram moved to Coleman and she accidentally hit Ken in the nose with a baseball during recess. They became friends and a life-long partnership developed; neither ever dated anyone else. After high school both Libby and Ken enrolled at the University of Texas where Ken played basketball on a scholarship. After their freshman year they were married, and for the next three years Libby worked, and Ken played basketball. Both got their degrees and Ken was co-captain and All Conference for the Longhorns. Their first teaching jobs were in Sonora. While Libby taught 43 third-graders, Ken coaches Varsity basketball and assisted with all other sports. Daughter Beth was born in June and Libby and Ken went to Southwest Texas the next two summers to get their Masters degrees. After three years in Sonora, Ken saw Dimmitt play in the state championship game at teh final four. After learning that the job was open, he applied. Both Libby and Ken took pay cuts to move to Dimmitt in the fall of 1961, but it was a basketball town and they put down roots. Daughter Vicki was born that year and son Kevin followed two years later. While his family was growing Kenneth Cleveland was quietly building a basketball dynasty that displayed savvy on the court and showed class everywhere they went. In 1967, the Bobcats returned to the final four where they were runners-up. Over the next 26 years, they made ten trips to Austin--winning state championships in '75, '82, and '83. During Coach Cleveland's 32 years at Dimmitt, the Bobcats won 27 district championships. His career won-loss record was an amazing 887-277, which ranked him 9th nationally. Ken had no plans to retire any tiem soon so one can only imagine what the totals could have become. The 1983 team nicknamed the "Awesome Bunch" on which son Kevin starred were 38-0 class 3A state champions. They could play with anyone regardless of class as they beat several teams in higher classifications during the season. They beat 2A state champ Morton four times that year and Morton coach Tony Mauldin remembers "Our people cheered for Dimmitt and their people cheered for us, even though our games in Austin were hours apart. It would be easy to hate someone that beat you four times, but because Coach Cleveland and Dimmitt were such a class act we respected them as a team and as a community."
While the Dimmitt Bobcats became a household name in basketball circles all over the state, more than victories were the result of Kenneth Cleveland's leadership. His positive outlook and genuine interest in all people won the admiration and trust of everyone. Those that benefited most were his boys, as he referred to all of his players through the years. A high school friend who also attended UT with Ken and Libby said "Kenneth was the most humble man I knew. You would never know that he was a great athlete or championship coach by the way he acted. Everyone was his friend. I miss him greatly."
Coach Cleveland performed every assignment he was given to the best of his ability. He was an excellent classroom teacher who cared very much about each student. In later years, when he became athletic director, he would mingle with all the studetns rather than stay hidden in his office. "He was as joy to work with. He always supported and got along with everyone," said a Dimmitt administrator of Ken.
Ken Cleveland's list of honors are too long for this article, but he humbly accepted many through the years giving credit to others. What were most important to him were his family and his players. His influence and example are illustrated by the number of former players who became successful coaches carrying on the Dimmitt magic and Coach Cleveland's amazing legacy. The list includes John Smith, Amarillo; Jerry Schaeffer, West Texas A&M, Rocky Rawls, Bronte; David Land, Denison; Jeff Bell, Brock; Larry Birdwell, Lorenzo; Steve Myatt, Clarendon; Johnny Hampton, Canyon; Blake Brown, Wayland Baptist University; David Bellinghausen, Fort Worth; and son Kevin, Wayland Baptist University. Dwight McDonald coached briefly at Palo Duro before becoming a Lubbock attorney, and former assistant Alan Steinle now continues the Bobcat tradition at Dimmitt. Another associate, Richard Wood was hired by Ken to revive the girls program and led the Bobbies to a state title in 1993. He now coaches in Lorenzo.
Son Kevin coached at Dumas and at Wayland Baptist University for ten years before moving on to other challenges in the business world. Kevin knows his dad is proud of him as long as he does his best and is happy. "There will never be anything like Dimmitt Bobcat basketball again. It was a unique experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything," says Kevin.
Jerry Schaeffer graduated from Dimmitt in 1977 and coached for 18 years at the high school and college level. From the time he was a second grader, he and his friends began living to win the approval of Coach Cleveland and to someday be Bobcats. "I am 46 years old and I have a picture of Coach on my desk. Each day I hope that he is pleased with me," says Schaeffer.
Jeff Bell, another former player, won back to back state championships as the coach at Brock. He says "Coach Cleveland is the reason I became a coach. He is my hero. I think of his example every day. Words cannot express the gratitude and love that I have for him."
Steve Myatt played on Coach Cleveland's first state championship team in 1975. When his Gruver girls made the final four in 2003, he said "Coach will be here with me in my heart." When the 1975 team was honored at the 2000 state tournament, Steve was interviewed for an article about the team. He named every player down to the last substitute and also named the value of each player to the team. "That was how Coach Cleveland taught us to play. Always together, everyone contributing, everyone important. We worked, played, won and lost as a team," said Myatt. "I have tried to mold my teams in the Dimmitt tradition."
Carrying on the Dimmitt tradition is a job no one can understand better than Alan Steinle. He was Kenneth's right hand man for ten years as his assistant. After serving as head coach at Canton, he was brought back to follow his mentor. "I would never have chosen to follow Coach Cleveland had I not been a part of his program for ten years," said Steinle. "I will do my best to continue what he started and perfected for 32 years. Doing their best is all Coach ever asked of anyone." Continue the tradition is what he has done by taking the 2001 and 2002 Bobcats back to Austin.
Steinle's leadership became necessary in the spring of 1993 when Kenneth Cleveland was struck by lightening at a golf course in New Mexico. His amazing career was cut short and the town of Dimmitt, along with basketball coaches and fans across Texas were stunned and saddened. Many who attended Kenneth's funeral estimate the crowd in excess of 3000. Mourners filled the Dimmitt gym to overflowing as people gathered to remember the man who had such a positive influence on so many. The Dimmitt school board voted unanimously to name the gym where the varsity teams play in honor of Coach Cleveland. They also added that if another gym is ever built, it will bear Ken's name. They want to insure that the people of Dimmitt never forget.
The goal of this article is to help thousands of coaches across Texas know and remember Kenneth Cleveland as well. He was the second president of TABC, serving in 1977-78 and was inducted into the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame one month before his death. Two TABC scholarships are awarded in his name annually. In 1988, he was inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association's Hall of Honor, a special honor for a basketball coach. His memory will live on through these annual reminders. But, those who knew him best will be guided for the rest of their lives by his example. Former player Dwight McDonald says "we learned from Coach that no job was too big, no opponent to tall, and that there was no game that couldn't be won. Anything could be accomplished." Jim Ratcliff, another former player from an early Dimmitt team, remembers three things he learned from his coach: teamwork is more important than individual honors, practice every chance you get so you will always be prepared, and never quit learning and striving to be better. No team put those words to practice better than Kenneth's final team in 1992-1993. They started the year 2-11 and went 3-2 the first round of district play. But in the second round they went 5-0 and became district champions. Forget the 13-15 season record. Coach Cleveland's guiding hand had done it again and kept alive a Dimmitt tradition.
Kenneth Cleveland's legacy can guide us all if we will just follow his example. Shortly before his death, he told a pastor friend in Dimmitt that his life was so complete that if the Lord took him he would be ready. As son Kevin said, "He may have been ready but we weren't. It's a sadness you can't imagine and a deep hurt that will last a long time. But, the way he lived his life won't allow us to be bitter. It's a time to celebrate what he's done."
Granddaughter Lacy Buckley summarized what basketball fans, former players, colleagues, and friends across Texas are sure of. "The chance of being struck by lightening is one in a million. That's what Granddaddy was, one in a million."

For Our Coach

Basketball-- whenever this word was mentioned, the name Coach Kenneth Cleveland inevitably was not far behind. Known to all as the passive coach with his trusting towel around his neck and water bottle in hand. Coach Cleveland was more than a basketball coach; he was a legend and respected pillar of the state. There was never criticism but always a word of encouragement. as much as this team struggled, he always instilled the Dimmitt Pride and Poise. He taught the basketball team more than the game; he taught us how to be leaders, and most of all, the act of cooperation even through the most difficult times. With all the success in the past or with all the success he had achieved; people began to wonder whether the tradition would be kept alive this year. Even Coach wondered. His stay in the hospital proved that. But this team, led by this awesome man, was not going to let the tradition die. Through his extreme determination and desire to continue his flawless years as coach, we had a winning season and the 18th straight district title. It takes one heck of a man to do this and if anyone could, itw as Coach Cleveland. Coach has endured many years here in Dimmitt. All the words in the world could not express how much the man and the coach was loved by all. However, we all know a legend never dies. Therefore, we are only paying tribute today for his life, not his death. For old coaches never die, they just call time out. See ya Coach! We love you!

Much More Than a Legendary Coach, Roger Clarkson, Globe-News

When Kenneth Cleveland took over the Bobcats, Dimmitt already had a reputation as a basketball town.
When Cleveland's tenure at the Bobcats' helm ended after 32 years, Dimmitt could proudly claim the title of "The Best Basketball in the Land."
Under Cleveland's leadership, Dimmitt blazed a trail of excellence through Texas high school basketball history.
Cleveland's career record was 887-277. At the time of his death in 1993 at age 57, that was the ninth-best record in the nation.
Cleveland innovated.
Cleveland inspired.
Cleveland won.
But most of all, Cleveland scored victories while conducting himself and his teams with the utmost dignity and respect for the opponent. Cleveland never had a true enemy, his players revered him, and Dimmitt treasured him.
Dimmitt won the state title three times under Cleveland. The Bobcats reached the state tournament 10 times, won 27 district titles and missed the playoffs just five times in his tenure at the school. Dimmitt never finished below second in league play, and almost 30 percent of his teams went to state.
Norman Hays, who played for Cleveland in 1973, recalled one instance at a state tournament when an unknown basketball fan brought a ball for Cleveland to sign. The ball contained autographs of coaches from John Wooden to Bobby Knight to Red Auerbach. Only three high school coaches had ever signed the ball. Cleveland was No. 3.
"He was well respected around the state, and the country for that matter," Hays said. "He was a great, great man and a great, great coach, and everybody knew it and respected him for it."
Possibly Cleveland's greatest flaw was he was color blind. And he was superstitious to boot. His wife, Libby, always bought his clothes. Prior to the 1974-75 season, she bought Cleveland a pair of bright orange-and-white checked bell-bottom polyester pants. In those days, bell bottoms and polyester stretch pants were popular fashion, although the bright orange was a little unusual.
Cleveland wore the pants to the first game and won. He continued to wear the pants to every game, although he never knew exactly what color they were. Libby never told him.
At some point in the season, a fan told him what color the pants were. But by then he had won so many games wearing them, he did not want to tempt fate and try some different pants. At the end of that season, Cleveland won his first state championship at Dimmitt.
"My gosh he was superstitious," Libby said. "If he was winning, he would keep on wearing the same thing until he stopped, no matter what it was."
Beyond the basketball numbers, Cleveland molded more than two generations of young men.
"He was always very cool," Cleveland's son-in-law and former player Darrell Buckley said. "He was always in control. He never got flustered and he always had a way of calming you down when things were going wrong. That kind of helped us as we got older. If we were faced with a tough situation, we would think of what Coach Cleveland would do."
Cleveland loved basketball. He worked tirelessly in his office, in the film room and in the gym. At church every Sunday, he would diagram basketball plays on the services bulletin. He sat up all night watching film in bed, which irritated Libby to no end. When he was a lifeguard at the Dimmitt swimming pool, he would take a clipboard and sketch out his team for the next season.
Immediately after the scoreboard clock clicked off the final seconds of the last Dimmitt football game, Cleveland would check his watch. That meant it was officially basketball time.
Cleveland never had an off-season. Even if Dimmitt had no games to play, he opened the gym and observed players, former players and future players in pick-up games almost 24 hours a day.
That tireless dedication to the program paid off with wins. The more Dimmitt won, the more established the tradition became, and the harder Cleveland worked to strengthen it.
"Coach Cleveland was a man ahead of his time," current Dimmitt coach Alan Steinle said. "He was pressing full court and playing an aggressive zone way before anybody else did."
Cleveland preached simplicity on both sides of the ball. On offense, Dimmitt's players wanted to defeat the man in front of him and take a good shot. On defense, Dimmitt played an aggressive 2-3 zone similar to a matchup designed to allow no open shots.
"He never yelled and hollered. We never ran wind sprints. We never ran lines," Buckley said. "We didn't have to. We knew what we did wrong, and he didn't have to say a word."
If a player did do something wrong on the court or in practice, Cleveland had an excellent method of expressing his displeasure.
"He would just stare at you," Hays said. "His stare would scare the death out of you, and you knew you'd better get things right. He didn't have to say much."
During the off-season, Cleveland did not like taking the team to out-of-town camps or playing summer leagues. The best workout for Dimmitt could be found in Dimmitt. The town bred more all-state basketball players than a swamp breeds mosquitoes. Each summer and during Christmas, former players migrated to the high school gym each day for hours and hours of pick-up ball. One set of former all-staters would leave the floor only to be replaced by another set. Cleveland believed that his current players could not find a greater challenge than to test their skills against those who had worn the Bobcat colors before them.
"Even after you graduated, you still tried to impress him," Buckley said.
Cleveland would watch and digest the action. He would not leave the gym until the last game of horse had been played and often that was well after midnight.
Basketball was always part of the Cleveland family. Buckley played for Cleveland from 1972 to 1974. He later married Beth Cleveland, and his nephew, Derek, is a guard on the current edition of the Bobcats.
When Kevin was a youngster, Cleveland put up a Nerf hoop in the living room, and Buckley and Kevin would go to war shooting at the toy basket. The door where the hoop hung still bears the scars of those battles between brothers-in-law.
Cleveland's children always hung around the court. Road trips were family outings for the Clevelands. But once the girls got old enough to draw interest from the guys, Beth and Vicki were banished from the team bus, especially once Beth and Darrell started keeping company.
Kevin sat on the bench for every game, holding his father's clipboard. At practice, team members played with him and sometimes used young Kevin as a bowling pin for sport.
"Once you're a Bobcat, you're always a Bobcat," Kevin Cleveland, Kenneth's son, said. "The key to the program was that all the ex-Bobcats felt like they were part of the team, even if they didn't play any more. You always had a place with the program, and you still do."
Kenneth Cleveland had several opportunities to leave Dimmitt. Bigger schools and colleges called often with offers he could not refuse, but he did.
Once established, Cleveland always had a reason to stay. He always had a class coming up which he thought would be outstanding. His children - Beth, Vicki and Kevin - grew up in the school. He coached children of his former players. He even coached a grandchild of a former player.
Cleveland considered the entire town of Dimmitt his family. He never wanted to go anywhere else. When Cleveland died, the entire community mourned like it had lost its father.

Sixty Seconds, Benny Baker, Eastland County Roundup

This week, in Dimmitt, Texas, there was a funeral for a 58 year old man, Kenneth Cleveland. The Abilene Reporter News called him a Texas coaching legend in high school basketball. He was the fifth winning-est, active coach in Texas, and the ninth in the nation. As head coach, his teams have won 27 district titles in 32 years, the last 18 in a row. Coach Cleveland, I was glad I had the opportunity to know him. His lief was shortened by a lightening bolt in the mountains of New Mexico. Many were in Dimmitt to say farewell and to say thanks to the Coach. The service, appropriately, will be in the school gym. His life was a challenge to excellence, a challenge of a winning attitude.
None of us are promised tomorrow. Toady is the time we have been given by God. Don't take life for granted today. Take some time to write a note, give a hug, share some love and take some time to encourage someone to excellence. For most of us, we will have tomorrow but as we are reminded at times such as these, today is all that we have. Let's not take it for granted, use it wisely and to His glory.

Coach Mauldin, as quoted in the newspaper

Cleveland was able to instill those characteristics into his players like Rocky Rawls, now coaching at Bronte. Mauldin, the coach at Abilene Christian University, coached at Morton when it was in the same district with Dimmitt. He says Cleveland got more out of his players than any coach he'd seen.
"He could take a player with lesser talent and find a role for him," Mauldin said. "This year's team was a good example. I think they lost something like 11 straight games, but he brought them together at the end and they won district.
"But what is so hard for me and my family about losing Ken is the association we had off the basketball court. There was a big rivalry between our two schools, but we were able to remain the best of friends. I learned a lot of basketball from him, not only by watching his teams play, but by talking to him. A lot of my substitution patters I use came from him.
"In 1983, we were in different classifications and both of us won state. Dimmitt went 40-0 that year and beat us four times. They played for the championship that morning and we didn't play until that afternoon. But when our team walked into the Drum (the Erwin Special Events Center), the Dimmitt fans were lined up by a railing and cheering for us. There were a lot of times our people would root for them at Austin and they'd do the same for us."
Cleveland's son, Kevin, hired last week as the new Wayland Baptist basketball coach, worked in Mauldin's basketball camp at ACU two years ago.
Holmes, now the McMurry head basketball coach, formerly was at Brownfield. His Cubs met Dimmitt five times, losing three. Not many schools had a winning edge on Cleveland.
"I got to coach with a legend (O.W. Follis) when I was at Lemesa and I got to coach against a legend (Cleveland), so I consider myself a lucky guy," Holmes said. "Once they really beat us and most people wouldn't have liked that. But after I got to thinking about it and who had beaten us, it didn't bother me as much. Coach Cleveland was a class act."

Letter to the Editor, Jeff Bell

Dear Editor: As we all know, basketball season is upon us one more time. I am very excited about this season as I know all basketball coaches are. On the other hand, I have great sadness in my heart about starting this season. For 32 seasons, a great man graced the hardwood with pride and poise. This tremendous man was full of compassion, character, and he was the most humble man I have ever known. I always called him, "Coach." I had too much respect for him to call him by his first name, even while working under him. I had the true privilege and opportunity to play for, coach against and coach under one of the greatest high school coaches of our time, Coach Kenneth Cleveland of Dimmitt High School. This letter will not even begin to do this great man justice, but I would like to try anyway. Coach was my friend, mentor and someone I could always count on. Everyone who played for him, coached against him or just knew him as an acquaintance loved and respected him. We lost Coach Cleveland to a tragedy last May, and it has been exceptionally hard on so many people because of the great impact he had on our lives. I miss him very much, but I carry so many warm memories of him with me every day. Coach taught us so much more than just how to play basketball. he taught us about having pride, poise, love of life and to play to the best of our abilities. WE loved him because he took great interest in all of us. Coach, we miss you and we will never forget you! Yours in basketball, Jeff Bell, Head boys basketball coach, Liberty Hill High School

Letter to the Editor, Avalanche-Journal, Jim Broome

For 14 of the past 17 years, I have served as Secretary of the Lubbock Chapter of the Southwest Basketball Officials. My main responsibility is the scheduling of basketball officials for junior high and high school games on the South Plains. During my tenure as secretary, it has been my great privilege to schedule officials for many great men and women coaches, but none so great as Coach Kenneth Cleveland of Dimmitt High School. Coach Cleveland coached at Dimmitt for 32 years. During this period, Coach Cleveland took his teams to 887 wins, 27 district championships, 10 state tournaments, and three state championships. He ranks 9th nationally in total number of wins. All of Coach Cleveland's wins would mean nothing if one didn't know him as a gentleman. He was a gentleman on the court as well as off. Win or lose, coach Cleveland was so dignified and honorable. the state of Texas and this area will surely miss this truly great man. -Jim Broome, Lubbock

A Dimmitt Basketball Player Is...

- A champion, a winner, someone special and a gentleman, all in one.
- The best student possible, one that doesn't expect the teachers to give them their grades-- they earn them.
- The most polite, the most cooperative of any students in school.
- A leader in the school and not a trouble-maker.
- One who is not afraid to say, "Yes sir" and "yes mam" with respect.
- One who gains recognition by being outstanding individuals and basketball players.
- Is a confident player, but not a show-off and know-it-all
- One who shows people how good he is--and not tell them.
- One who abides by the training rules--whether it is during season or not.
- One who knows the no smoking, no drinking, no drugs rule--and in addition, knows that getting the right amount of rest, eating right, and taking care of himself in general, is part of basketball.
- One who knows he has an obligation first to himself, then to the team to do everything within his power to follow the training rules, and be the best player he possibly can.
- One who looks forward to work-outs, and doesn't miss one for any reason.
- One who gives 100% in every work-out in order to reach his potential.
- One who thinks that basketball is the most important activity in school for the next 4 1/2 months.
- One who plays the game as gentlemen.
- One who doesn't make excuses for losing.
- One who treats the officials with respect.
- One who pats his teammates on the back and encourages them.
- One who realized there are only 5 players on the floor and these will be the best 5 most of the time.
- One who realizes that if he is a bench warmer, he is just as important to the success of the team as a starter, and that he contributes during work-outs.
- One who when it is all over, can look back and say, "I did the best I could--and it was all worth it."

Profile of a Coach, M.E. Cleavinger, Jr.

Today is Kenneth Cleveland Appreciation Day, officially so by virtue of Mayor Bradford's proclamation. but more important sentimentally because of the desire of players, past and present, and a host of friends and well-wishers who wanted to do something to say "thank you" for the eight loyal, faithful, rewarding years that have been given to us. I cannot resist the temptation of a pun at this point to say that I have been a Cleveland fan for more years than Kenneth has birthdays-- the Cleveland Indians, in baseball, the Cleveland Browns, in football, and now, the Cleveland Bobcats in basketball--all the way. This has never before been divulged to Kenneth. We play golf together and it is always a pleasure, but in the fall of the year, he is not too interested in playing if his team, the Dallas Cowboys, are on t.v. because he just assumed that all red-blooded Texans are Cowboy fans. Playing golf with Kenneth is much like playing golf with a Ronnie Parker or a Jim Pickens-- when you "goof" a shot, you don't give vent to your emotions. With him, there are other, better ways of confronting those annoying little dissatisfaction. There is another lesson I learn playing golf with Kenneth-- and it is the same lesson that coaches and teams all over Texas have had to learn--and that is how to take defeat.
In 1961, when John Ethridge resigned as basketball coach at Dimmitt High School, a young man, not well-known here, in fact, not known at all, let it be known that he would like to be considered for the job. In checking out his credentials, along with numerous other applicants, several of whom were well-known and respected, it became evident that the application of one, Kenneth Cleveland, should be explored further. The credentials were excellent--letters of recommendation were profuse with praise, this fellow had one of these "can't miss" labels, in the judgment of those who had worked with him. it fell the lot of Alvis Fuquay to do the sleuthing in the places where Coach Cleveland had been-- the home town of Coleman, his school- Texas University, his then-present location, Sonora. Needless to say, Fuquay's visitation not only strengthened Kenneth's application, but virtually brought to a halt any further search for a coach. And so, it was that Kenneth and Libby came to Dimmitt in strange surroundings, facing fans that were somewhat skeptical, knowing full-well that the coach who was leaving here had been imminently successful. It takes courage to step into that kind of situation, but courage is just one of the numerous attributes of Coach Cleveland as he had produced consistently winning basketball teams.
What a record he has produced in eight seasons with the Bobcats-- an overall 188-78 win-loss figure; seven district championships, five bi-district titles, played in Regional finals four times, state finals one time. The other schools of District 2A would gladly welcome a re-shuffling to get Dimmitt into another area of combat.
It has been a privilege and pleasure over the years to observe the coaching profession from several different vantage points of experience. Inevitably coaches, like players, become objects of scrutiny--weighed, measured, compared. This is as much a part of sports as the games themselves and any coach who is sensitive to scrutiny just should not be there. No one but sports enthusiasts can fully appreciate this, but it is just human nature that sooner or later one begins to create an image of the composite coach-- the ideal, the put-together man who has it all-- the profile of a coach--and somehow or other, in my own impressions of this imaginary character, it seems appropriate to visualize there, super-imposed in the background, the profile of Kenneth Cleveland.
In this business of coaching, the first area would have to be the basics-- the fundamentals- knowledge of the game, the ability to teach, to analyze--working constantly, studiously, progressively, not only to keep abreast of developments, but to innovate new patters of play. It does not take an astute observer to know that Kenneth Cleveland excels in all of these areas.
There are many coaches who have achieved success, maybe even great success by concentrating almost totally on these basics. But I believe that there is an area beyond this, somewhat of a fringe area of coaching, that Kenneth has exploited, both consciously and unconsciously, that has brought him into the higher echelons of the coaching profession.
There is a rapport in the player-coach relationship here that defies description, but it is indisputably a Cleveland "trademark." It has been my observation while listening to the recordings made by various players, that the boys were trying so hard to be eloquent, trying to find just the right words to express their feelings, to say what they wanted to say, and not quite being able to do so. And this is no reflection because there was so much in evidence that undertone of love and respect, which understandably aws difficult to put into words.
I do not know if Coach Cleveland has ever reduced to writing a creed which embraces his philosophy of coaching, but whether he has or has not, there is unmistakably a pattern of conduct for both player and coach: consistent, demanding, equitable, and it involves a mutuality of responsibility between player and coach. And thus, we see Kenneth in the role of the confident, the counselor, always showing that personal individual concern for every member of the squad--unassuming, unpretentious, humble, a gracious winner-giving credit to the players first, a gentlemen in defeat--searching for an answer wherein he might have failed the team. Defeat has the inescapable, ugly habit of coming at the most inopportune times and it precipitates crisis sometimes which must be handled delicately and yet with positiveness. And, here you see Kenneth, the finality of defeat unquestionably bearing down heavily on his own shoulders, going from player to player with that friendly, consoling pat on the shoulder, the picture of a man standing tall and straight. These are the things which, in my humble opinion, produce the rapport that exists between player and coach. These are the things which the boys talk about when they attempt to explain what Coach Cleveland has meant to them.
The role of Coach's wife is sometimes precarious, somewhat dubious, sometimes even problematic with certain types of people. With Libby, it is none of these, although surely there must be times when she wishes that she might share some of the attention away from the basketball court, the team, the schedule, and the numerous ramifications. Completely loyal, always boosting the team, doing this and that for the boys, running errands for Kenneth--sharing the joys of winning-- consoling in defeat. This is Libby- truly a wonderful asset to the success story of the Kenneth Cleveland:
This is a great day for the Cleveland family--for Libby and Kenneth and three fine children-- Beth, Vicki and Kevin. To paraphrase a quote from a very great speech by an equally great man, the words that are said here today will quickly be forgotten. And we know, too, that gifts are fragile and they too will pass away, though we hope that that the gift will bring you many happy hours of enjoyment, but the spirit of love and esteem and the admiration that have been manifest by this occasion will endure as treasured memories for many, many years to come. Kenneth would you accept this gift as a token of appreciation from your friends of this community. And may we extend every good wish to you and your family in the years to come.

K - is the knowledge he taught and shared
E- is for Enthusiasm for each task to attend
N- is for the phrase used by all, "He's neat"

C- is for the Christianity he displayed for all
L- is for the Love he had for fellow man
E- is for Educator he ranked with the best
V- is for the victory to which he taught to strive
E- is for Enjoyment in everything he did
L- is for Listening to a young voice with a ready ear at request
A- is for the Amusing, fun-filled life he lived
N- is for Nurturing to students he gave
D- is for Devotion as a teacher, coach, husband, father and friend