From the sidelines
Marty Gordon
Sometimes it is hard to write about a person who you have a personal relationship with, but when it comes to Norm Lineburg, I, like many other individuals, have my own stories.
Lineburg passed away this past week, and we have so many ways to describe him.
He was a coach, a mentor and a true community leader. Also, more importantly, he was a father and an example for many people to look up to.
Lineburg raised four sons, who of course played football. In one form or another, those young men have grown up to be their own example in their own communities.
Robert is the athletic director at Radford University and has coached college basketball. Wayne continues to coach college football, and Mark is the head coach at Brookville High School.
I’m sure they use knowledge from their father in everything they do.
I can personally say Norm Lineburg was a friend, and we shared our own relationship.
I can remember trying to find him as a young reporter when visiting Radford High School to do a story on the football team. He invited me into an office that you had to walk outside to get to. I looked around the office, and there was everything you could imagine. Paperwork lined the desk as he was not only the football coach, he was also the school’s athletic director.
Of course, there was plenty black and gold and the famous big “R”.
Coming from nearby George Wythe, I had always heard about Lineburg and his dominating football team. Yes, I was blown away by this man who so many had put on a pedestal.
It did not take long to learn he was just a simple man who was just successful on the football field and track.
This is where our personal relationship started to grow. There was never a time when he didn’t ask how I was doing and what was going on in my life. He invited me to his home to meet his wife, and I called them friends.
I learned everything about an antique car that sat in his driveway, which he continued to drive up until a few years ago.
He was always friendly and would give me jabs about being from George Wythe. I had pressured him to play my old school so I could watch both play in the same season.
When the Bobcats jumpstarted the rivalry, I would joke that I had to stand on each sideline for a half. Lineburg said whichever side was that sideline in the second half is who would win. I stood on the Bobcat sideline for many of those second halves.
Through the years when we saw each other, Lineburg would put his arm around me and ask how the family was. We had that special connection as I continued to cover local high school football and broadcast my share of Radford games. This included the opportunity to interview Lineburg for our share of pre-game coaching shows.
Interviewing him was easy, and he helped me to develop skills that I carry with me today.
I know many people have their own stories, but I will hold my own close to my heart. I will miss those conversations coach. I will also admit I own several black and gold shirts and hats. All because of him.
Rest easy coach, the Bobcat nation will take it from here.
