Coach Rhyde Wears Ties For Coaches vs. Cancer Event

During basketball season at Hamilton High School, spectators typically focus on the players. This season, however, all eyes were on varsity basketball coach David Rhyde.

Well, not as much on Rhyde as his neckties.

Thanks to a friendly suggestion by Rhyde family physician David Haswell, whose son is the team captain, spectators donated ties for Rhyde to wear at each game.

But in order for the tie to be wearable, the donor first had to make a contribution to the American Cancer Society.

By Hamilton’s final regular-season game Rhyde had collected a diverse array of neckties in all sizes, colors and patterns. His wardrobe includes bow ties, one sporting Disney cartoon character the Tasmanian Devil, Darth Vader, a variety of 1970s throwbacks, even a bolero.

The endeavor has generated team spirit and raised more than $1200. for the cancer society.

“A lot of this is the community,” said Rhyde, who also works for the village of Hamilton. “I think they got the idea they could get rid of all their ugly ties. But I’m going to put them in a pile, take a picture and send them back to their owners.”

Throughout the season, tie fever spread like wildfire.

from Syracuse.com
By Dyana Smolen
Contributing writer