Watson was a friend who won't be forgotten

May 10, 2010

PEARLAND — Many coaches, teachers, and close friends were stunned to learn that former Pearland ISD athletic director Mike Watson, 55, was found dead on Thursday morning, May 6. For 10 years, Watson was a vital part of the great turnaround for Pearland athletics and he was satisfied to have worked behind the scenes while watching his coaches experience success at all levels.

Watson is survived by his wife of 33 years, Patsy Maraffa Watson; daughter, Meredith Watson, currently residing in Hong Kong, China; daughter, Brooke Watson Massey, son-in-law, Kyle Massey, and newborn grandson Jaxon, all of Dickinson, Texas

Not only did Watson want Pearland athletics to be successful, but he also insisted that the coaches and their student-athletes become involved in reaching out within the community to make an impact in the lives of others as well.

That is why that each year, various organizations in Pearland received financial and physical help from Pearland ISD athletic teams.

"I want our athletes to be intertwined with the community," Watson once said. "I want them to see how fortunate they are and make them realize that giving to others is so much more important than what you get. Our community gives to us and we need to give back to them. I don't want athletics seen as separate from our community, but one and the same with our community. I want kids to see what is out there, how they can help, what they can do for others. Athletes get the accolades. I want them to see that they are lucky and have been blessed and in turn they should use their gifts in a positive way to help others.

"I want our Pearland student-athletes to be the antithesis of what they see on TV," Watson added. "I want athletics to have a positive impact on the community. Adages become adages because there is an element of truth in them - 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' That's the lesson to learn."

Those who knew Watson found a friend who was always the same. He possessed that gentleness and even temperament that made you comfortable being around him. One would have been hard-pressed to hear him ever utter a word against another person.

In fact - if you didn't like Mike Watson - chances are you had trouble getting along with other people as well.

Being an athletic director is a very difficult and stressful job and a lot of unpopular decisions have to be made over the course of time. Watson always sought to be fair in his dealings with coaches, parents, and the student-athletes. He certainly sought to be objective while keeping the welfare of the individual at the forefront of his decisions.

"God gave Mike Watson a mischievous smile, a big heart, and a unique perspective tied to unique abilities," PISD Superintendent Dr. Bonny Cain said. "Mike used those gifts to make a difference in the lives of those connected with PISD’s athletic program. Mike challenged coaches as well as athletes to not only be more than they were, but more than they even imagined they could become. Mike Watson will always be a reminder that the tall mountains are not necessarily those you climb with your feet."

The coaches that Watson worked with on a daily basis all have a special place in their heart for him and how he contributed to their lives.

“Mike was instrumental in making sure that all athletic teams were on the same playing field at PHS with regards to appropriate promotion of their sport whether it be swimming, basketball, football, volleyball, softball, etc.," head volleyball coach John Turner said. "I know that the success of my volleyball program and being able to host the nation’s largest volleyball tournament was in part due to the fact that Mike Watson opened the doors for us to grow our own wings and soar to heights that we never thought possible. I will miss him and never forget what he did for me as a coach.”

Of course, Pearlanders have enjoyed the success of the football team and the incredible turnaround that head coach Tony Heath and his coaching staff have shared.

"There are so many things I could say about Mike," coach Heath said. "Mike had become not only a boss, but a friend. I can tell you that many of the accomplishments that PISD has had in athletics can be related back to Mike. Mike was a person that always wanted to be behind the scenes guy.

"Mike allowed coaches to be coaches. He never tried to get into the x and o's of our sport, but was always there ready to support. Mike was never a man to hide his feelings. If you did wrong he would let you know with his BIG RED FONT IN HIS E-MAILS. Mike helped many people and did many things that went unnoticed. But that was the way Mike wanted it."

Mike's influence made its way throughout Pearland ISD sports as most coaches looked to him as a caring and compassionate friend.

"All though Mike was my boss, I considered Mike a friend," head girls basketball coach Donna Vacek said. I knew I could talk to him about anything and I did. He helped me through a difficult time and had a sensitive side that understood my pain. God rest his soul."

The theme of Watson's life of friendship continued to echo through the PHS halls by the coaching staff.

"What I always appreciated about Mike was that he would always tell us that no matter what, end the practice day or game day on a positive note," head girls cross country coach Lori Ziegelmeyer said. "He knew that coaches had bad days and could become frustrated with players. He said he understood that we might chew players out for not doing something correctly or as taught, but we were to always follow that with something positive. Those words of wisdom were invaluable in certain situations."

Watson's influenced also crossed over to support the athletic trainers who are such a vital importance in taking care of the physical needs of the student-athletes.

Head PHS athletic trainer Chad Jones said, "Mike was very unconventional in his leadership style but, there was never any doubt that he supported our program and fought for us when there were things that we needed. We all knew that he was proud of the accomplishments that had been made.

His friendship with some coaches began long before he came to Pearland ISD.

"Mike and I started coaching together in the mid 1980's when he came to Clear Lake HS.," said PHS boys track coach Fred Armstrong. "When Mike went to Clear Brook as the head baseball coach, I soon followed, and was his assistant baseball coach for a couple of years, until a track and field position opened up. During those times, Mike and I became very close.

"I used to visit with him and Patsy over a glass of her wonderful iced tea. His daughters used to think that I was a jungle gym, and I enjoyed watching them grow up. Mike is the main reason I came to Pearland to coach. He was very intelligent and had the vocabulary of a Rhodes Scholar. He was a good father and husband. He was a great colleague and mentor, and you always knew where you stood with him. I will always remember Mike as a great friend."

Watson was able to communicate success to his coaches because he had been successful, not only as a standout baseball player for the University of Arkansas during his collegiate days, but as an assistant baseball coach at Clear Lake High School and head baseball coach at Clear Brook High School.

While Watson had established himself as a mentor among the PHS coaching staff, he was also instrumental in the selection of the coaching staff for the new Glenda Dawson High School. After only three years of existence, Dawson has already gained statewide attention after the 2009 football team won the 4A Region III championship and advanced to a first-ever 4A state semifinal appearance in only the second year of varsity competition.

The success on the gridiron is due in part because Watson looked within the Pearland ISD coaching staff and he was instrumental in seeing PHS assistant Eric Wells being named as the Eagles' first head football coach.

"Mike helped me get my first head coaching job at Dawson High School," said head football coach Eric Wells. "He was passionate about making all of the athletic programs successful here at Dawson. He had an open door policy and was ready to help with all of the sports. One of the things he loved most was to see the coaches office full of players. He always said that showed they felt comfortable around the staff and felt a part of the family."

Watson was especially excited when the Pearland baseball and softball teams both advanced to the state tournaments a year ago. It is very rare to have one, much less two schools, advance to the state tournament in the same year.

"Mike was a great leader and most of all a great friend," head softball coach Laneigh Clark said. "He cared about his coaches and all the athletic programs In Pearland ISD. He was the type of person that supported you and let you do your job but if you needed his support was always there to help you out. He was very passionate about baseball as well as his job as athletic director. I will miss his smile and his willingness to offer tips as well as his support of me and my program"

Following Mike's retirement last year, new athletic director and PHS baseball coach Ben Pardo said, "“Mike’s radiant personality, the smile on his face, and his brutal honesty all made Mike who he was…he will be missed."

There are so many more expressions of love for Mike Watson that space doesn't really allow all that he meant to so many people.

Longtime friend and assistant athletic director Ed Farrington summed it up when he said, "The athletic department definitely worked together as a team. He was not into titles or power. He wanted everyone to contribute. He was very good at working with students, teachers, coaches, administrators, and parents. Mike was very proud of his own kids and how they both eventually decided to get into teaching and missions."

Someone once said, "A friend is someone who reaches out for your hand...and touches your heart. How lucky to have known someone who was so hard to say goodbye to."

Mike Watson was that friend and many have found it hard to say goodbye.

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