Ex-Clymer coach Winner ‘gave the position the respect it deserved.’
In this February 1993 file photo, Bob Winner holds aloft a commemorative basketball in recognition of his 400th career victory as the boys varsity coach at Clymer Central School. P-J file photo
In this March 1993 file photo, Clymer boys varsity basketball coach Bob Winner is seen during the Section VI Class D championship game at the University at Buffalo’s Alumni Arena. The Pirates defeated Ripley for the title, 60-53. P-J file photo
In this February 1993 file photo, Bob Winner holds aloft a commemorative basketball in recognition of his 400th career victory as the boys varsity coach at Clymer Central School. P-J file photo
In this March 1993 file photo, Clymer boys varsity basketball coach Bob Winner is seen during the Section VI Class D championship game at the University at Buffalo’s Alumni Arena. The Pirates defeated Ripley for the title, 60-53. P-J file photo
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Bob Winner, the former legendary Clymer Central School boys basketball coach, was laid to rest last Friday morning at a graveside service in Corry, Pennsylvania. He was 90 years old. Dennis Hinsdale, one of Winner's former players, needed only two words and two syllables to describe his longtime friend: "The best."
"He taught us more about life than just playing basketball," said Hinsdale (Class of 1973).
No one can argue that point, because Winner's influence was felt in all circumstances, not just on game nights.
"I had graduated and he was still the athletic director," Hinsdale recalled. "I said to him, 'Hey, if you ever need a coach, I'd be interested.' He said that he would keep that in mind. ... A year later, he called me and asked if I was still interested because he had an opening."
It was for girls basketball.
Hinsdale decided to take the leap.
Years later, Hinsdale coached the Lady Pirates to the 2009-2010 New York State Public High School Athletic Association title.
"It all worked out," he said. "He was a great mentor."
During his tenure at Clymer, Winner guided the program to seven league championships; four Section VI titles; and posted an overall record of 407-267. His 1972-73 team, which claimed league and sectional crowns, was unbeaten, finishing 20-0.
Hinsdale was a member of that undefeated squad.
"It was a pretty special year," Hinsdale said. "We were all very close, and we are to this day. The five guys that didn't start probably could have started on any other team in the league, so we were always being pushed. Coach Winner was tough when he needed to be, but he never got out of line. The thing that always amazed me was how calm he was. He was never too high or never too low."
He was just always there.
"I spent a lot of time at the school during off hours due to my parents' employment," said Scott Reagle, who played for Winner from 1989-1991. "During those times, I liked to run around in the gym. Every time Coach came in, without saying a word, he'd open up the equipment room and bring me back a rack of balls."
Reagle also noted how admired Winner was by his peers.
"This was the era when high school coaches stayed decades and were a staple at their respective schools," Reagle said. "Always wearing a jacket and tie, he gave the position the respect it deserved."
Off the court, Winner served the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association on its Executive Committee, as basketball league chairman, as Section VI representative and on other committees within the organization. And, for 16 years, Winner was a member of the section's Athletic Council, Finance Committee and the Basketball Committee. His contributions earned him a Western Zone award from the New York State Council of Administrators for Health, Physical Education and Recreation in 1984; and an award from the New York State Athletic Administrators Association in 1993. Winner was inducted into the Section VI Hall of Fame in 2025.
Beyond the individual honors, however, was a man, Reagle said, who cared about the players he coached long after he retired.
"Shooting photos for The Post-Journal, I always had the privilege of getting to see him, Coach Howard McMullin and Coach Jeff Wheeler during playoff games at Jamestown Community College," Reagle said. "(Winner) always had a comment about one of my boys’ sports endeavors. You knew he still followed high school sports like the true coach he was."
Winner's last game -- March 15, 1993 -- was against Clyde-Savannah of Section V in the Class D Far West Regional in Rochester. Clymer suffered a 64-58 loss, denying it a trip to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Final Four in Glens Falls.
"I haven't had time to think about (retirement) yet," he told The Post-Journal postgame that evening nearly 34 years ago, "but I know I'm going to miss (coaching). I'll really miss it when it comes down to starting practice next year, (but) right now my mind's still on what's happened in the game. I can't think about it being the last one."
For the record, the Pirates, who were ranked as high as 10th in the state that season, finished 20-4. If there was polling done for the most-revered coach, however, Winner would undoubtedly be vying for No. 1.
Peace be to his memory.