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LeClair keeping spirits up during tough battle
By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
GREENVILLE -- If Keith LeClair has his way, he'll be at brand new Clark-LeClair Stadium for the Keith LeClair Classic when the East Carolina Pirates open their home baseball schedule March 4.
The former ECU coaching great, who went 212-96-1 in five seasons as head coach of the Pirates, has been battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
"I hope to attend as many games as possible," LeClair noted Sunday through email. "It just depends on how I feel. I love ECU baseball and college baseball in general. Once a coach, always a coach, except now I never make any more bad decisions. It's a whole lot easier making decisions in a parked van."
In the summer of 2002, LeClair was told he had ALS. He first felt weakness in his hands, before the disease affected his speech. Slowly, the disease destroys muscle tissue which results in total paralysis.
Because of the disease, LeClair had to resign as ECU's head baseball coach.
LeClair handles his situation day by day.
"I am doing OK," LeClair noted. "I truly just try and take it one day at a time and stay positive and thank God for each extra day He blesses me, because that is what these days are in my life right now being on a ventilator."
There is no known cure for ALS, but LeClair keeps a positive attitude, thanks to his faith.
"I have a tremendous faith in Jesus Christ and believe He has a purpose for every life and circumstance, whether they're at the peak of great times or in the valley of a shadow of death," LeClair noted. "I try not to dwell on the question, 'Why?,' because I will never be able to answer that question, nor will I ever understand it. I try to stay focused on today and what I can do to help others.
"I realized a long time ago that no matter how bad things may look, there is always somebody out there that's worse off than yourself. I also know that coaching is just a career, but who you are as a person is what truly means the most deep down on the inside."
LeClair also gets plenty of support from his loving family. His wife, Lynn, and children, J.D. and Audrey, help keep the former Pirates' great in high spirits.
"I don't think anyone knows what their family means to them until they lose a loved one or have seen a member suffer from a debilitating disease," LeClair noted. "I basically have died physically in a lot of ways, from the standpoint I can't hug my wife or kids, help out around the house, play with my kids or be there for them when they need their dad the most.
"Those things hurt an awful lot and, if it wasn't for Lynn, Audrey and J.D., I would have a difficult time pushing on each day. I just hope that through all these difficulties, my kids will learn to never, ever give up, no matter what trials and tribulations they face in the storms of adversities."
LeClair said that he isn't the only one in the family affected by the disease.
"I will add that my family suffers through this disease every day right alongside me, especially my wife, Lynn, who has given up her freedom the past three years to take care of all my needs," LeClair noted. "If you want a definition of team player and love, you would have to look no further than her."
Though LeClair physically isn't able to do things now, his brain is as fresh as ever. He keeps busy every day.
"I usually get in front of my eye gaze computer about 9:30 a.m. and go to work, either returning emails or writing devotionals on my experiences with ALS," he noted. "But, before all this, I spend time in God's word and try to get prepared for the day. Believe it or not, I stay busy all day writing or following what's going on in the world of college baseball and sports in general."
LeClair wrote columns about baseball for Bonesville.com, an East Carolina web site, last year. He's debating whether to write more this season.
"I may write an occasional column, but right now I am staying busy doing other things," he noted. "Plus, I learned that writing and offering an opinion oftentimes doesn't please everyone. Heck, I got more bad emails when I wrote for Bonesville than I ever did in 11 years as a head coach."
LeClair has a strong opinion about the state of baseball today, especially with regards to the latest steroid allegations.
"I think it's a complete joke and has scarred the records of past players who played the game with honesty and integrity," LeClair noted. "It just goes to show you that players will sell their bodies for stats, fame and money. The professional game has become all about performance, individual numbers and big, long term contracts.
"I am not saying everyone is on steroids and cheating, but a group that's doing things wrong can put a black eye on everyone. The players who aren't on steroids should demand monthly testing and put the pressure on the ones who are on the hot seat. I personally would be furious if I was playing the game honestly, only to find out others were abusing steroids."
LeClair is passionate about the game of baseball, a big reason why he was so successful as a head coach. He led the Pirates to four consecutive NCAA Regional appearances, three Colonial Athletic Association championships and a Conference USA Tournament Championship.
LeClair's 2001 Pirates advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals and finished with a No. 11 national ranking. He won the American Baseball Coaches Association's East Region Coach-of-the-Year award in both 1999 and 2001.
Of everything that he achieved in his career, what is LeClair's proudest achievement?
"Wow, other than marrying Lynn and having two kids, Audrey and J.D., I would say putting together a staff and team and pushing them beyond what they think they're physically and mentally capable of doing only to see them be rewarded with wins and championships on the field," he noted. "The best part of coaching is being around the players and watching them grow and develop, both as players and young men."
The Pirates open the season Feb. 11 at the College of Charleston. What kind of advice would LeClair give to this year's ECU team, coming off a season where the Pirates won a school-record 51 games?
"Whatever message Coach (Randy) Mazey and his staff used last year certainly worked like a charm, so I wouldn't change a thing," LeClair noted.
When the Pirates play their home opener, they'll do so March 4 against Michigan at 11 a.m. in the first game of the Keith LeClair Classic at Clark-LeClair Stadium.
LeClair said it's humbling to be a part of the stadium name.
"To be honest, it's a little bit overwhelming," he noted. "I am so grateful to the Bill Clark family for allowing me to put my name next to theirs on the stadium and giving my family that honor and privilege. I will forever be grateful for their generosity and all that they have done for me and my family.
"I never set out to put my name on a stadium, but only go to Omaha and compete for a national championship. I know there are a lot of other folks deserving of this honor and I really hope that when folks see the name, LeClair, on the stadium, they will know I only represent a small part of ECU's great tradition and that every coach, player, booster and fan from the past to the present made this dream of a new stadium become a reality."
LeClair will always cherish his days as head coach of the Pirates, and is thankful for the extended family he made because of it.
"(Being a Pirate) means being a part of a Pirate family that consists of a long list of great coaches and tradition, like Jim Mallory, Earl Smith, Hal Baird, George Williams, Monte Little and a good friend of mine, Gary Overton, to just name a few," LeClair noted. "These coaches built the baseball tradition we have today, and to be a part of it is something special.
"A Pirate to me is a team and family, not an individual, but a family that will stick together through the best or worst of times, no matter the situation."
The former ECU coaching great, who went 212-96-1 in five seasons as head coach of the Pirates, has been battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
"I hope to attend as many games as possible," LeClair noted Sunday through email. "It just depends on how I feel. I love ECU baseball and college baseball in general. Once a coach, always a coach, except now I never make any more bad decisions. It's a whole lot easier making decisions in a parked van."
In the summer of 2002, LeClair was told he had ALS. He first felt weakness in his hands, before the disease affected his speech. Slowly, the disease destroys muscle tissue which results in total paralysis.
Because of the disease, LeClair had to resign as ECU's head baseball coach.
LeClair handles his situation day by day.
"I am doing OK," LeClair noted. "I truly just try and take it one day at a time and stay positive and thank God for each extra day He blesses me, because that is what these days are in my life right now being on a ventilator."
There is no known cure for ALS, but LeClair keeps a positive attitude, thanks to his faith.
"I have a tremendous faith in Jesus Christ and believe He has a purpose for every life and circumstance, whether they're at the peak of great times or in the valley of a shadow of death," LeClair noted. "I try not to dwell on the question, 'Why?,' because I will never be able to answer that question, nor will I ever understand it. I try to stay focused on today and what I can do to help others.
"I realized a long time ago that no matter how bad things may look, there is always somebody out there that's worse off than yourself. I also know that coaching is just a career, but who you are as a person is what truly means the most deep down on the inside."
LeClair also gets plenty of support from his loving family. His wife, Lynn, and children, J.D. and Audrey, help keep the former Pirates' great in high spirits.
"I don't think anyone knows what their family means to them until they lose a loved one or have seen a member suffer from a debilitating disease," LeClair noted. "I basically have died physically in a lot of ways, from the standpoint I can't hug my wife or kids, help out around the house, play with my kids or be there for them when they need their dad the most.
"Those things hurt an awful lot and, if it wasn't for Lynn, Audrey and J.D., I would have a difficult time pushing on each day. I just hope that through all these difficulties, my kids will learn to never, ever give up, no matter what trials and tribulations they face in the storms of adversities."
LeClair said that he isn't the only one in the family affected by the disease.
"I will add that my family suffers through this disease every day right alongside me, especially my wife, Lynn, who has given up her freedom the past three years to take care of all my needs," LeClair noted. "If you want a definition of team player and love, you would have to look no further than her."
Though LeClair physically isn't able to do things now, his brain is as fresh as ever. He keeps busy every day.
"I usually get in front of my eye gaze computer about 9:30 a.m. and go to work, either returning emails or writing devotionals on my experiences with ALS," he noted. "But, before all this, I spend time in God's word and try to get prepared for the day. Believe it or not, I stay busy all day writing or following what's going on in the world of college baseball and sports in general."
LeClair wrote columns about baseball for Bonesville.com, an East Carolina web site, last year. He's debating whether to write more this season.
"I may write an occasional column, but right now I am staying busy doing other things," he noted. "Plus, I learned that writing and offering an opinion oftentimes doesn't please everyone. Heck, I got more bad emails when I wrote for Bonesville than I ever did in 11 years as a head coach."
LeClair has a strong opinion about the state of baseball today, especially with regards to the latest steroid allegations.
"I think it's a complete joke and has scarred the records of past players who played the game with honesty and integrity," LeClair noted. "It just goes to show you that players will sell their bodies for stats, fame and money. The professional game has become all about performance, individual numbers and big, long term contracts.
"I am not saying everyone is on steroids and cheating, but a group that's doing things wrong can put a black eye on everyone. The players who aren't on steroids should demand monthly testing and put the pressure on the ones who are on the hot seat. I personally would be furious if I was playing the game honestly, only to find out others were abusing steroids."
LeClair is passionate about the game of baseball, a big reason why he was so successful as a head coach. He led the Pirates to four consecutive NCAA Regional appearances, three Colonial Athletic Association championships and a Conference USA Tournament Championship.
LeClair's 2001 Pirates advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals and finished with a No. 11 national ranking. He won the American Baseball Coaches Association's East Region Coach-of-the-Year award in both 1999 and 2001.
Of everything that he achieved in his career, what is LeClair's proudest achievement?
"Wow, other than marrying Lynn and having two kids, Audrey and J.D., I would say putting together a staff and team and pushing them beyond what they think they're physically and mentally capable of doing only to see them be rewarded with wins and championships on the field," he noted. "The best part of coaching is being around the players and watching them grow and develop, both as players and young men."
The Pirates open the season Feb. 11 at the College of Charleston. What kind of advice would LeClair give to this year's ECU team, coming off a season where the Pirates won a school-record 51 games?
"Whatever message Coach (Randy) Mazey and his staff used last year certainly worked like a charm, so I wouldn't change a thing," LeClair noted.
When the Pirates play their home opener, they'll do so March 4 against Michigan at 11 a.m. in the first game of the Keith LeClair Classic at Clark-LeClair Stadium.
LeClair said it's humbling to be a part of the stadium name.
"To be honest, it's a little bit overwhelming," he noted. "I am so grateful to the Bill Clark family for allowing me to put my name next to theirs on the stadium and giving my family that honor and privilege. I will forever be grateful for their generosity and all that they have done for me and my family.
"I never set out to put my name on a stadium, but only go to Omaha and compete for a national championship. I know there are a lot of other folks deserving of this honor and I really hope that when folks see the name, LeClair, on the stadium, they will know I only represent a small part of ECU's great tradition and that every coach, player, booster and fan from the past to the present made this dream of a new stadium become a reality."
LeClair will always cherish his days as head coach of the Pirates, and is thankful for the extended family he made because of it.
"(Being a Pirate) means being a part of a Pirate family that consists of a long list of great coaches and tradition, like Jim Mallory, Earl Smith, Hal Baird, George Williams, Monte Little and a good friend of mine, Gary Overton, to just name a few," LeClair noted. "These coaches built the baseball tradition we have today, and to be a part of it is something special.
"A Pirate to me is a team and family, not an individual, but a family that will stick together through the best or worst of times, no matter the situation."
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