Childhood Friends Cheer On Chester Native And Wisconsin Coach Bo Ryan
By David Spunt
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It's been over fifty years, but Bernie Harris and his cousin Keddy can still close their eyes and see Wisconsin Basketball Coach Bo Ryan on the court, as a player in the 1960s.
"Even though his family lived on the borderline of Chester and Sun Valley, he always wanted to come to Chester and play basketball for Chester High," Bernie Harris told Eyewitness News.
Harris played with Ryan when their ages were smaller than their jersey numbers. Harris' coach was Butch Ryan, Bo's father. The two boys grew up together in Chester and first met in 1959.
"Butch Ryan also worked at Sinclair refinery with my father and with Keddy's father," Harris said.
Keddy Harris is the assistant coach for the Chester High School Clippers. Bo Ryan was also a Clipper. He graduated from Chester High School in 1965.
"Bo has never forgotten where he came from," Keddy Harris told Eyewitness News.
Keddy and Bernie Harris still keep in touch with Bo Ryan. They expect to see him in town for his 50th high school reunion.