Jeremy Pych, who played offensive line in football and ran the half mile in track for Lawrence High in the late 1980s, delivered a heartfelt message to his old coach, Bill Freeman, Sunday afternoon at LHS.

“I wanted to tell you, you are one person who definitely made a difference in my life,” Pych told his mentor at a reception recognizing Freeman’s recent induction into the Kansas State High School Activities Assn. Hall of Fame.

“I did love the kids,” Freeman responded, his eyes moistening.

“I know,” Pych said. “I know.”

Pych, who is an engineer living in Blue Springs, Mo., was one of a hundred or so LHS players, coaches and administrators who stopped by the school cafeteria to chat with – and tell stories about – Freeman, who led the Lion football team to a 134-38 record with five state titles from 1974 to ’89.

He also coached the LHS track team to a pair of state crowns, including the first in school history.

Many of the former players shared Pych’s sentiments in telling the 74-year-old Freeman how he had impacted their lives.

“Coach Freeman taught so many of life’s lessons,” said Clint Bowen, a former LHS football standout, now an assistant coach at Kansas University.

Former Jayhawks Lance Flachsbarth, Pat Karlin, Craig Stoppel and David Johnston also were among the many on hand, along with former KU athletic director and LHS coach Bob Frederick.

Former Lawrence High football and track coach Bill Freeman, front, visits with a former player during a celebration in honor of his induction into the Kansas State High School Activities Assn. Hall of Fame. Ex-Kansas University athletic director Bob Frederick, also a former LHS coach, in background, attended the get-together Sunday at Lawrence High.

“Whether it was track, football or weightlifting class, you remember all the things he’d say and do,” Bowen said. “I remember one time we were playing Topeka High, and we didn’t run a play right.

“He called a timeout and told us we were running the same play again, and he looked into Topeka High’s huddle and told their players, ‘Boys, we’re running the same play again, be ready for it.’ We ran the same play again.”

Several of Freeman’s former quarterbacks showed on Sunday, including former Green Bay Packers QB Lynn Dickey, an all-stater under Freeman at Osawatomie High in the late 1960s.

“If you look back at somebody who got my career going, it was coach Freeman,” Dickey said. “The mental and physical toughness he instilled in me as a young man carried me on through injuries and adversity during my career.”

Dickey paid Freeman the ultimate compliment.

“If Bill Freeman said, ‘Run through that wall,’ you’d say, ‘How fast?’ Dickey said. “I have been fortunate enough to know guys who played for Vince Lombardi (at Green Bay). I always relate it to Bill. When you are playing for him, you see him as the guy who works your tail off. Later you realize he is the reason I’m tough. All the guys who play for Vince Lombardi say the same thing.”

6Sports video: Former Lawrence High football coach honored

Freeman inducted into KSHSAA hall (05-29-05)

Touched by all the compliments, Freeman, who owns a bank and also is mayor of LeRoy, said he had a great time returning to Lawrence.

“It was fun to see so many ex-players and students, coaches and friends,” Freeman said. “It’s always interesting to find out what they are doing. I really enjoyed coaching. There are so many great memories.”

And what about guys like Pych saying Freeman impacted lives?

“Yes it makes you feel good : if it’s positive,” he said with a laugh.