Ode to John Lau

All

A heartfelt thanks to all who attended my retirement celebration on Friday.  I was deeply touched by the outpouring of affection by everyone.  

The following is a poem written by my friend Ross Revenaugh that pretty much says it all.

Much appreciated, Ross.

John

Ode to John Lau 

Stud by the Bay

Oh, some squash he did play

Under the care of Coach Dick

John learned the boast, the lob, the nick

On the Harmon Gym courts

Alongside Gessling, Gross, various other sorts

Afro standing tall

John could crush that hardball

With teaching in his blood and soul

John spent years in the classroom @ Mt Diablo 

But teaching squash was his joint 

And so in 85 he took point

As the pro on Nob Hill

Giving advice and goodwill

And because he still wanted to play competitively

On weekends he pulled a reverse Horace Greeley

(Go East young man, go East)

He found him some whites

And jumped on a few flights

New Haven, Boston, NYC

Competition was fierce; Linden, Big D

And after many a close call

He hung some hardware on the wall 

Down 0-2 in 91 at Payne-Whitney

A comeback ensued - John won the next three

And then he won the 98 Dubs over 40s

W his bud and right wall mate, Gordie 

But John's main squash legacy 

Is this rackets playing family tree

From each Jester, teammate and Rickety Peer

To so many other squash playing friends dear

Teacher, partner, frequent champion of the tourney

We're thankful for you friend - it's been quite a journey