For the last 15 years or so freshman boys basketballers in Clarkston have heard a voice calling out to them in practice.
‘Gentlemen,? the voice would say, providing players guidance that transcended the basketball court long after the final horn.
Freshman boys coach Neal Sage, coached his last game on Friday March 3, a 59-50 loss in Southfield, leaving behind a storied coaching career dating back to the 1970’s as he heads to North Carolina and a new stage in his life.
‘I have lots of mixed emotions,? said Sage. ‘Not doing this anymore; it’s been a big part of my life and I’m wondering what I’ll be doing next basketball season.?
When asked about what he brought to his players, Sage explained he tried to show kids how to accept adversity and face challenges while developing a strong work ethic to help them later in life.
‘If you don’t do well in school, I don’t care how good of an athlete they are. They won’t go anywhere. They’ll be playing park and rec ball on Sundays,? said Sage.
Many of those impacted during Sage’s career had much to say about their colleague, mentor and friend.
‘He’s been a good friend ‘It won’t be the same without him.
‘He was very structured, very disciplined, just what we need at that level,? Athletic Director and boys varsity coach Dan Fife said.
‘He’s an awesome guy and an awesome coach,? said Joe Rademacher, a senior varsity player who played for Sage as a freshman.
‘He’s tough but kind too. He’ll break you down but he’ll build you back up,? Rademacher added.
‘He’s definitely an X’s and O’s guy. (He’s) pretty intense in wanting to be precise and fundamental about basketball being played the right way,? said Lars Covintree who coached basketball with Sage for five years.
‘He loves the game of basketball, but I think he likes the kids more.?
An Independence Township resident since 1969, Sage started coaching in 1970 when he was a social studies teacher at Sashabaw Junior High. Throughout the early to mid-70’s, Sage said he helped start the boys track program, which eventually evolved into the girls and boys program across the middle school. He credited Mel Vaara and Gus Birtsas with also helping start the program. Sage also coached football and boys basketball.
After leaving SJH, Sage worked as a counselor and placement director at the Oakland Schools Tech Center on Big Lake Road. He returned to the SJH as a counselor in 1989.
‘I missed being with the kids. That’s one of those things you miss, that relationship with the kids and talking with them,? said Sage.
Sage eventually moved on to the high school as a counselor in 1994. He left the high school in 2000 to become dean of students at Renaissance High. He retired from Clarkston Schools in 2002, but continued to coach into this year.
Over the years, Sage recalls many memorable moments including the revival of ‘The Jungle,? the student cheering section and the overall quality of Clarkston sports and education.
‘We have tremendous programs due to administrative support, parents, coaches etcetera,? said Sage. ‘That’s Clarkston.?
Outside of sports, Sage served in the late 1970’s as a Clarkston City Council member and spent over 35 years as an on-call Independence Township firefighter.
While Sage plans to split time between Portsmith, North Carolina and a cabin in the Upper Peninsula with his wife Karen, he knows Clarkston basketball will not be to far from his mind. His old friends, varsity coach Dan Fife, Neil Granlund who runs the clock, and scorekeeper Chris Krueger, can expect long-distance phone calls next season.
‘It’s a new challenge leaving a lot of friends and your life, but that’s also what’s exciting too. It’s a double-edged sword. There’ll be a lot of things I’ll miss. I don’t want to say one over the other, but basketball and athletics in general will be one thing I miss the most,? said Sage.