Coupeville Sports

Henry Pope: a class act. (John Fisken photo)

I’m not going to pretend to be a South Whidbey High School fan.

As a die-hard Coupeville booster, I have sniped at the Falcons numerous times in print, fanned flame wars and (possibly) been banned from the SWHS gym.

But I can recognize a really good guy when I see one, and South Whidbey boys’ basketball coach Henry Pope was a really good guy. Respected and liked by opposing coaches, players and fans, he seemed, in everything I saw, to be a wonderful man.

His unexpected death last week at 57 is still reverberating across the Island and far beyond.

Today at 1 PM, the SWHS gym (5520 Maxwelton Road in Langley) where he proudly led his Falcons onto the court each night will play host to a celebration of Pope’s life.

I won’t be there, as my real job will make that impossible, and, like I said, I may be banned from the premises anyway (it’s 70-30 in favor of it being a resounding yes).

But if you are one of the many who attend — and the turnout should be epic — I would love to hear and see any photos or thoughts from the event. My email address is davidsvien@hotmail.com.

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Henry Pope, a class act. (John Fisken photos)

Pope, on the bench guiding his Falcons during basketball season.

It’s a small thing, but it would have a huge impact.

If you would like to leave a message, a note, a few words for the family of South Whidbey High School boys’ basketball coach Henry Pope, who passed away Thursday at 57, there’s a simple way to do it.

Go over to this site: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/henrypope, sign in to the guestbook and leave your thoughts on a man who made a great impact on the children of Whidbey Island.

Give his family a place where they can go and see what he meant to his community, his friends and all those whose lives he touched.

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Henry Pope’s journey has ended, but his impact on Whidbey Island will last forever. (Photo courtesy Cassie Neil)

South Whidbey High School boys’ basketball coach Henry Pope, who passed away Thursday morning at 57, will be honored with a celebration at the school Friday, Aug. 2.

The event will be held at the gym where he proudly led his Falcons onto the court and will start at 1 PM. The school is located at 5520 Maxwelton Road in Langley.

Pope, who is survived by wife Teresa and their three children, daughters Samantha and Taylor and son Lewis, died from complications related to an enlarged heart.

He coached the Falcon girl hoopsters while his daughters played, then switched over and took over the boys program in 2010. While balancing his job at Boeing, he also found time to coach local baseball, softball and youth football teams.

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    South Whidbey High School boys’ basketball coach Henry Pope watches as Wolf Wiley Hesselgrave shoots in a game this season. (Shelli Trumbull photo)

All of Whidbey Island grieves the loss of one of its basketball leaders, as news filters out that South Whidbey High School boys’ basketball coach Henry Pope passed away early Thursday morning.

Pope, who always carried himself as a class act on the court and off, coached the Falcons girls for years before jumping over to take the reigns of the boy hoopsters. He also coached youth football teams.

Fellow coaches, players and local fans were stunned by the sudden, tragic loss, but paid tribute to Pope as a quiet leader and a much-loved and respected member of the hoops community.

Coupeville’s coaches viewed Pope as more than just a strong rival.

“Henry and I were friends on and off the court,” Anthony Smith said. “He became a mentor to me about basketball and life. I really admired him as a man and a coach.

“My deepest prayers go to his family.”

That was a sentiment echoed by Wolf assistant coach Dustin VanVelkinburgh.

“A true competitor. One of those guys that during the game would do anything to win and afterward hit you with a genuine smile and handshake,” he said. “I enjoyed coaching and competing against him and his squads. Today my heart goes out to Falcon Nation!”

Pope affected area players, as well, and not just the ones on his own team.

As a senior captain for the CHS boys’ hoop squad, Drew Chan came into frequent contact with Pope during games between the Island rivals. The pair were also friends off the court.

“Henry Pope was a great man who will be missed dearly,” Chan said. “He was truly a great man/ person/ friend. I will always consider him a friend. I wish his family the best!”

CHS junior Monica Vidoni often plays at open gyms on the South End, and came into contact with the Falcon coach often.

“This put me in tears,” Vidoni said. “My dad and I knew him so well. I remember always meeting him on the ferry and having long talks about basketball with my dad and I.

“This is so upsetting. My dad and I are in shock.”

His sense of style and rock-solid commitment to his players and the school and town he represented was also acknowledged by Wolf fans, who may have rooted against him winning, but never against the personable Pope himself.

“I just remember him at the games and being very outgoing and active on the sidelines!,” said long-time fan Heidi Monroe.

Pope is survived by his wife Teresa and their three children, Taylor, Samantha and Lewis.

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