Memories of Knight are classics

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Between the Giants' amazing upset and the Patriots' fall from perfection, nothing hit the sports world harder than the resignation of Texas Tech coach Bob Knight on Monday, setting up the end of his era.In a shocking move, the college game is losing much more than the record holder for victories.The man with 902 wins decided to leave in the middle of the season, but that won't overshadow the large resume he leaves behind.And while you likely won't hear the same nice words that South Carolina coach Dave Odom has been receiving from his colleagues since his announcement of retirement, Knight's accolades are more than any coach could ever expect to accomplish.Throw in his three national championships, development of tons of pro talent and ability to get the most out of his teams and it's easy to see the legacy of a legend.I still recall my father teaching me about the man in the red sweater. My dad, like much of America, didn't always like the way Knight acted. But I learned at an early age the respect that the former Hoosier leader received and deserved.While I haven't been alive for all 42 years of Knight's reign, there's no way I'll forget the memories.The 1985 chair-throwing incident is a classic and always a good watch on Youtube.Knight also showcased a series of funny game faces at a press conference and took his fair share of shots at the media, going as far as telling a young journalist that his career choice is "one or two steps above prostitution."No one will ever forget the choking incident of former Hoosier player Neil Reed in 1997 or the heated "lecture" about respect the coach gave an Indiana student for saying, "Hey, Knight, what's up," which cost the legend his job at the school in 2000. Knight broke a zero-tolerance policy and after refusing to quit, he was relieved of his duties. Hard to expect anything less from a man known as "The General."And while I could fill up this entire sports section with actions and accusations, possibly the most abrasive, foul-mouthed coach of all time believed the game he loved was more than just a game.He trained young men for life. And while his tactics could be considered extreme, he always got his point across. Old school doesn't even begin to describe his way of thinking, but Knight could adjust with the times enough to win at three Division I schools.In fact, there was an old question that asked whether you'd let your son play for Knight. If I'd had been a basketball recruit, I'd like to think my dad would have sent me packing to Bloomington or Lubbock.I just hate I won't be able to answer that question if I have a son one day.(Contact Brad Senkiw of the Anderson Independent-Mail in Anderson, S.C., at www.andersonsc.com.)