"A Tribute To Milton Mayo"
posted October 18, 1999

    As memorable as the old facilities have been to countless persons across the years, Milan High School has been far more than material buildings composed of brick, mortar, steel, concrete, and furnishings. The most important component of MHS has been the persons who have populated her classrooms and offices on a daily basis.

    For many years, one of these important personalities who played a crucial role in all our lives was Mr. Milton Mayo who was the high school principal, boys basketball coach, Distributive Education instructor, and Superintendent of Milan Schools.

    Under his splendid leadership, and because of his unselfish devotion, MHS moved in the right direction and offered quality education to her students, equipping them to meet the difficult challenges in their personal and professional lives. Mr. Mayo not only understood the daily work and problems within the school system, but he had a vision of the direction toward which the school should move.

    Mr. Jimmy Thomas, the high school principal who, for many years, worked closely with Mr. Mayo once wrote: "To me, Milton Mayo is one who has gone far beyond the call of duty. In my twenty-three years of school work, I can sincerely say he is one of the most cooperative school associates I have ever known." No greater compliment can be paid an individual than that which comes from a colleague who has worked shoulder-to-shoulder with that person and who knows them for who and what they really are.

    A question which I have always wanted to ask Mr. Mayo is: "If you could pick a 'dream team' from all the basketball players whom you coached across the years, who would they be, and what position would they play?" However, knowing the kind of person he is, and the way he valued and viewed each young man, I realize that he would simply smile and say, "Across the years of my coaching career each player has been special to me." He noticed and appreciated each player's uniqueness; he knew each person's distinctive temperament and make-up, their strengths and weaknesses.

    For Mr. Mayo, winning was not simply measured by numbers on a scoreboard; it went much deeper. He was always working to develop and build character. He taught his players how to work defeats--as well as victories--into their growing discovery of the meaning of life, and how to compete and be the best person they could possibly be. He definitely was not preparing his players just for "tonight's game" but, rather, for the overall contest, the great "game of life." He diligently worked toward the goal transforming boys and girls into men and women.

    At school reunions and in private conversations I have heard him call the names of his players and recount many of his memories of these men. He was interested in them, not just while they were in school, but as they moved on into the great contests of life. Wherever they went he always followed them with his love, concern, and prayers. I have seen him laugh, as well as cry, as he recounted his memories of them.

    From him his players learned that no one can "sit on the bench" if he expects to successfully participate and compete in the great "contest of life." And, from him, they also learned how to think, live, and be all that they could be in the face of life's tests and demands.

    No, he would not pick just five players for his "dream team." He would pick all of his players. And, for him, they would all "play their hearts out!" The court would not be large enough to hold his team. One of my saddest regrets is that I never played basketball under him.

    Here is a coach who in the golden years of his life deserves to be lifted up and carried on the shoulders of his players and students because of the great person which he is. He has always embodied and inspired greatness.

    Since graduating from MHS on May 23, 1961, one of the things which I have cherished across the years is the ongoing friendship which I have shared with Mr. Mayo. He was born in 1913, which was only two years after my father's birth, and it requires no stretch of the imagination to conclude that he has been one of my heroes. He and I have kept in touch by written correspondence and telephone conversations, and I treasure his letters. Time after time again, he has written words of support, affirmation, and encouragement, and I cannot describe how much these personal messages have meant to me.

    Ever so often I go back to my MHS scrapbook and reread his hand-written autobiographical notes which he mailed to me on April 14, 1993. He told me that his family and friends had been encouraging him to write a complete autobiography along with a history of the Milan schools, and, so, at the time of that letter he said that his dining table was covered with his personal notes and memoirs.

    Milton Mayo has always been a committed teacher and school administrator, a strong disciplinarian who has had the respect and admiration of his students and colleagues. He has always been a person of deep faith, conviction, and moral character. He has always shown love and devotion to his family. And, at this juncture in their lives, Mr. and Mrs. Mayo are focusing their love and attention on their children and grandchildren who have brought untold joy to their hearts.

    There is no way to record, understand, or appreciate the history of Milan High School without having to reckon with this good and great man who has enriched the lives of the countless number of persons who have had the privilege of knowing him.

Don Harold Lawrence

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