By Chad Garner

cgarner@sentinelandenterprise.com @CGARNER23 on Twitter

Some coaches burst onto the scene and leave in a blink of an eye.

Others dedicate their lives to teaching and coaching high school students and athletes about the values needed for success in life.

The late Richard Stachowicz -- a born coach and educator -- was that special role model and major influence in many people's lives at Lunenburg High School for 39 years.

Stachowicz, a highly successful boys' varsity basketball coach and physical education teacher who passed away on July 13, 2010, after a battle with Parkinson's disease, will permanently be a focal point in a place he called home for so many years, as Lunenburg High School will officially name the court at Lunenburg Memorial Gymnasium the "Richard A. Stachowicz Court" and unveil the dedication at the first home game of the upcoming boys' varsity basketball season.

"It absolutely is emotional in a lot of different ways," said Stachowicz's son Mark, 44, overcome by emotion. "I shared him with every kid in Lunenburg. He coached a long time, and we all had an investment with what he did. To see an award for that, that the community appreciated what he did and respected what he did, it's a small thank you. This validates the sacrifices we made as a family to do that. It's a nice honor; it validates everything he put in."

The unveiling is a can't miss-event

"It's going to mean a lot," Mark Stachowicz said. "He took so much pride in what he did. I won't have dry eyes, I can promise you that. He was something special for what he did. It was never about him, but it's nice to see that this is about him."

Jeremy Kullman, who played for Stachowicz on the varsity team for three seasons before graduating in 1992, will always remember his late coach as an unbelievable motivator.

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Blue Knights honor a legend