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EDITOR’S NOTE - This story originally ran last year on the ten year anniversary of Skip Prosser’s death. It is once again July 26th, and we want to keep the memory of Skip alive in our own way each year, so it is being republished to remind everybody what Skip meant to us all.
It’s hard for longtime Wake Forest fans like myself to believe that it has been ten years to the day since our beloved coach Skip Prosser died of a heart attack after running running on the track at Kentner Stadium on campus.
Today, Demon Deacon fans, former players, coaches, broadcasters, and people all across the basketball world share their memories of Skip and talk about his impact on their lives.
For me personally, I remember Coach Prosser as always being kind and reaching out to all Deacon fans, but especially interacting with kids. After contacting his office and informing them that I would be at the game on my birthday, Skip sent me a signed poster of the 2003-04 team on which he had written “Happy Birthday Edward”. He also sent me a media guide. That poster still hangs in a frame on my wall. I also have letters that Coach Prosser and I sent back and forth.
Perhaps one of the best things about Skip though were his witty sayings and his command of the English language. A few favorites are “If you can’t be on time, be early”, “Never delay gratitude”, the “ABCs of life-Academics, Basketball, and Character”, and of course “Meet me on the Quad at midnight”.
Wake Forest Magazine ran an article on some of Skip’s best sayings. They begin on page 20, but I recommend checking out the whole article.
Here are some memories of Skip shared today:
10 years! Coach Prosser still impacts my life daily. Thanks Coach P! Miss you!!! pic.twitter.com/paMBUZvIpI
— Mike Muse (@CoachMuse) July 26, 2017
Today, we remember Coach Prosser. #GoDeacs @WakeForest pic.twitter.com/n414MhmOkU
— LJVM Coliseum (@LJVMColiseum) July 26, 2017
Are you a 3-to-6 player or a 6-to-3 player? How much are you willing to invest in the game each day? Thank you Coach Prosser! pic.twitter.com/p29SP2fAlg
— Danny Manning (@CoachDManning) July 26, 2017
"Never delay gratitude."
— Pat Kelsey (@patkelsey) July 26, 2017
- Coach Prosser
Ten years ago today, we all lost a great friend in the great Skip Prosser. I still miss him, every day. pic.twitter.com/EyyA3JNWHI
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) July 26, 2017
Wake the Neighbors, Wake the Nation, Tie-Dye Nation, One Team One Fight
— Edward Foster (@fefoster4) July 26, 2017
Coach Prosser put @WakeMBB back on the map & created @tiedyenation pic.twitter.com/6rCSBQwTCy
July 26 is always a tough day, but it is a day to remember all that Skip Prosser did for Wake Forest. pic.twitter.com/2namDgG1uW
— Wake Basketball (@WakeMBB) July 26, 2017
"Never delay gratitude" "If u can't b on time b early" "The ABCs of life-Academics, , Character" "We're going to b good again" RIP Skip ❤️ pic.twitter.com/5zCp0bJsrG
— Edward Foster (@fefoster4) July 26, 2017
R.I.P. Coach..I'm still trying to pass on all of the life lessons u taught me. Miss u! pic.twitter.com/5NQ5RMZsbc
— Jeff Battle (@coachbattle21) July 26, 2017
10 years ago today we lost a great leader, coach, mentor and friend. We miss him. Skip Prosser's legacy remains strong with all of us. pic.twitter.com/9oDCyZrx9D
— Ron Wellman (@RonWellman) July 26, 2017
We miss you, Skip. #NeverDelayGratitude pic.twitter.com/GxFpIlFm32
— OGB Sports (@sports_ogb) July 26, 2017
Hard to believe it has been 10 years. Miss my dear friend but grateful for his incredible impact on so may lives. #NeverDelayGratitude pic.twitter.com/NeH46d37hq
— MitShahNoble (@MitShahNoble) July 26, 2017
10 years later, I still carry this card in my wallet, still lean on the lessons you taught us everyday. RIP Coach Prosser. #OneTeamOneFight pic.twitter.com/JfWc1E8dzd
— B-Ho (@bho52) July 26, 2017
2002 in Mebane watching @CP3 play in AAU game. Skip spotted me in crowd wearing a Wake hat and made his way across gym to thank me. #class
— DeacsWin (@WFUCoachSearch) July 26, 2017
— Adam Bridgers (@AWBridgers) July 26, 2017
"We're going to be good again" -SP
— Ya Boy Stan Cotten (@NotStanCotten) July 26, 2017
You better believe we will. Rest In peace coach we're working on something big in Winston!!!
pic.twitter.com/gT3csa2zj1
10 years ago today the world lost a great man. Skip Prosser made a tremendous impact on my life and I will always be grateful. #deacs
— Tom Norton (@TomNortonDCJAX) July 26, 2017
It's been 10 years since we lost Skip Prosser. Grateful to have known him. pic.twitter.com/PwaXvra8As
— Dean Buchan (@DeanBuchan) July 26, 2017
Really hard to believe it’s been 10 years since Skip Prosser’s death. Feels like yesterday, yet SO much has changed since then at Wake.
— Joedy McCreary (@JoedyAP) July 26, 2017
A photo I took 10 years ago. // Wait Chapel at Wake Forest University, the night Skip Prosser died #flickr https://t.co/OvIzgUg5a5
— Michael Parker (@going_gray) July 26, 2017
Hard to believe it’s been 10 years since Skip Prosser passed away — at the age of 56. Seemingly everyone in college hoops loved Skip.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) July 26, 2017
Coach Mack talks about the influence of Skip Prosser on his life. pic.twitter.com/M0Uw6pc1P5
— Xavier Basketball (@XavierMBB) July 26, 2017
Lasting memory of late Skip Prosser was his 14 hour "tutorial on life" on flight back from visiting troops in Iraq. Miss you, Skip. #10years
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) July 26, 2017
Hard to believe Skip Prosser died 10 years ago. He treated everyone the right way-even remembered my name when I interned a long time ago
— Rick McLaughlin (@Rickmc23) July 26, 2017
I never had the chance to meet Skip Prosser but his "Prosserisms" and effect on the basketball community were profound. They continue today.
— Shannon Russell (@slrussell) July 26, 2017
Skip Prosser was a true gentleman, great coach, incredible friend & as genuine as they come. The prism he looked at life was about others
— Seth Greenberg (@SethOnHoops) July 26, 2017
Rest In Paradise to Skip Prosser Wake basketball ain't been the same since
— Aaron Nash (@gifted0prez) July 26, 2017
The game of basketball doesn't build character it Reveals it. " Skip Prosser"
— Darnell Williams (@coachdwill) July 26, 2017
Have this cover hanging in my basement, I'm glad to be pictured in this moment https://t.co/a8j6kyqmGG
— Jake (@BloggerSoDear) July 26, 2017
And of course we can’t forget Skip started and grew the Tie-Dye Nation! He not only woke the neighbors, but woke the nation and started the Tie-Dye Nation!
Skip Prosser was the true embodiment of Pro Humanitate. There has never been a better example of serving for the people.
Wake Forest hasn’t been the same without you Skip. You are greatly missed. Rest in peace Coach.