Greg Sheide:
Long-time Orem coach
appreciated
being part of what team
accomplished
By Bruce Smith
Matchup
He did his student teaching at Orem in 1979 and has never
left. In most years, he helped coach as many as three different sports. He
recalled fondly being an assistant football coach in 1987, when Orem won the 4A
state title, and then lost to Alta in the title game the following year.
But that was the only memorable celebration Sheide could
recall, and he took the time to relish what this year’s basketball team
accomplished on March 3.
“It was good for me, but mostly it’s for the kids and a
lot of the fans,” he said.
Sheide was on the bench when the final buzzer sounded. He
said he recalled embracing fellow assistant coach Kevin Nixon and head coach
Golden Holt immediately afterward.
“Then I went under one of the baskets by myself and
watched,” he said. “The game was over and I just watched the kids that were out
in the middle of the floor.
“The locker room was great,” he added. “It was upbeat. It
wasn’t a wild celebration, but it was great to realize that we actually did it.
“We had six buses of kids, and we drove back to town
(from the Maverik Center in West Valley City). There were a couple of police
cars and lots of horns honking. I had a bad headache from all the noise. It was
pretty hectic, and then there was a mad celebration in the (school) lounge.”
The celebration really didn’t end – even a month or so
later.
The 60 year-old Sheide doesn’t have a cell phone, so
there were no text messages. However,
th school seemed to have
increased energy in the following weeks and many former players have called to
congratulate him for Orem’s success.
“I was at Subway (restaurant) the other day and a kid
came up to me and gave me a hug,” he said. “That made my day.”
Virtually every Orem player admitted Sheide played a big
role in Orem’s championship. He coached the defense, which gave up 50.6 points
per game during the season but only 42.0 ppg in the 4A state tournament. Sheide
noted the team’s increased energy that led to its first-ever boys basketball
state title.
“We’ve been in the championship game a lot of times and
we’ve been in the semifinals,” he said. “When you get that far, it feels like a
successful season. This year, I knew we would be good. Once we got there (to
the Final Four), I thought this was something special.
“Every day was fun at practice, and I miss that part of
it already. We worked hard on defense and the kids really bought into it. We
won every close game and that shows a lot. If you play good defense, you’ll
always have a chance.”
Sheide plans to be along for the ride next season, when
Orem returns the bulk of its roster and goes for a repeat. He figures it will
be difficult, and the player’s work ethic will be tested.
“I might retire from teaching, but I’ll stick with
basketball as long as they want me,” he said. “
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