CHEBOYGAN – Not long ago, Cheboygan High School principal Marty Mix gave Scott Hancock a call.
What Mix wanted was for Hancock to come over and sign some forms.
When Hancock arrived at the high school office, he was greeted not just by Mix and Cheboygan athletic director and basketball coach Jason Friday, but several of his family members, including his wife Olwyn, his grandsons Landon and Lincoln, his son Nick, and his son Brian, who was on a FaceTime call from Arizona.
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Basically, signing forms wasn’t really what Mix wanted Hancock for. It was to let Hancock know that his name will be going on the floor of Cheboygan’s gymnasium very soon.
Hancock, who’s currently in his 50th season of coaching at Cheboygan High School, will be honored for his half-century of coaching during a ceremony prior to Cheboygan’s varsity boys basketball home opener against Sault Ste. Marie on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
Cheboygan boys basketball coach Scott Hancock talks to Mason Downey during a tryout session on Thursday, Nov. 13. The court in Cheboygan’s High School gymnasium will be named Scott Hancock Court in honor of Hancock’s 50 years with Cheboygan athletics.Scott Hancock Court will officially be the new court name inside Cheboygan’s gym.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“It’s surprising, it’s quite an honor, and it’s very humbling,” Hancock said. “It’s something you never think of, obviously, but it is quite an honor, and I’m very thankful for them for doing it.”
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It’ll be an emotional night for Hancock, who got his coaching career started after graduating from Cheboygan. Hancock quickly became an assistant under late and former Cheboygan basketball coach Frank Karwoski, who mentored Hancock. Since, Hancock’s been a big part of Cheboygan’s basketball program, while also serving for several years as a baseball coach.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementYear after year, Hancock keeps coming back to coach because he never gets tired of it.
“I love basketball, I love being around kids, and it keeps you young,” Hancock said. “Every year, you're working with kids who want to become basketball players. I love watching the improvement in all the kids throughout the year."
Playing a role in making the dedication event possible was Friday, who played under Hancock when Hancock was Cheboygan’s varsity coach for two years in 1990 and 1991.
Like many in the community, Friday understands what Hancock has meant to Cheboygan athletics.
“There’s only a handful, maybe like five people in the state who have coached for 50 years in the same sport, and we’re thankful that Scotty’s here,” Friday said. “He’s coached baseball for 30-plus years. He coaches little league a lot; he’s involved at the rec center. Almost everyone in our community has had Scotty be a part of their life at some point.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAs for Hancock, he’s thankful for those who will recognize him when the night comes.
“Marty Mix was big on getting this going, and Jason Friday also had a hand in it, along with the administration,” Hancock said. “I'm thankful for anybody who’s involved in this. Again, it’s a special honor. I am so thankful for them to think that much of me to put my name on the floor. It is amazing.”
The dedication will take place after the 5:30 p.m. junior varsity game between the Chiefs and Blue Devils.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan athletics will name gym floor after longtime coach Hancock
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