On July 12th, we got some of the worst news ever.
Coach Gene Cotter died in a car accident.
He was driving home from one of the basketball camps he runs.
He was only 44.
Gene has been one of the most vibrant, positive persons you could meet.
He was Zen's first basketball Coaches in the States. Later on Zen also coached for Gene at the kids camps too.
The shirt he wears above, was a the shirt from Zen, which Zen had designed.
I mailed that shirt to Gene a couple of months earlier, and he got this photo shared on facebook saying "ZEN FOR THREEEEE"
Taka and I got to meet Gene at a boys tournament before I sent the shirt.
We saw each other, and stopped to talk. Gene was quick to ask how Zen was doing in Japan.
As I spoke about Zen, Gene, with those amazing eyes, gave me
all of his attention.
He always was like that. He cared about every word anyone had to say.
When I messaged to Gene for his address later, he wrote back:
"Thanks so much. I always feel your warm spirit. It surrounds you so beautifully."
I had to tell him that
that was
HIM!
Later in the B. League's Guide
When Zen was asked who had the most impact on him, Gene was who he replied.
The service for Gene was about a week later at a gymnasium. The stories shared were amazing.
Following the service was a potluck gathering not too far from the gym. Below are photos of us there, a winery location.
Someone designed this:
And though I wasn't in time to have them made into bumper stickers, when I got the 200 stickers, I could share via Gene's facebook page, that if anyone wanted them, to send me their address'. I was able to donate that time and expense. "Gene always loved free things" someone said, after I told them I wasn't asking for money for them
Four months later, I still have about ten stickers left.
