Wisconsin School for the Deaf - The Wisconsin Times Vol. 134 No. 3 Spring 2013 | Page 5

Milton Lee’s Reflections on Coaching and Teaching
Editor’s note: WSD Alumni Milton Lee and his beloved wife Joy Lee were long time employees at WSD, serving 32 and 31 years respectively.
Last fall, the old gym in Hannan Hall was named in Mr. Lee’s honor. To continue to show our admiration and respect for the Lees this article
was composed from various interviews and data provided by the Lees. We share this article with our readers as a way to reminisce and
reflect on the various ways the Lees have humbly touched our lives. Thanks for the memories!

While at Gallaudet College, Milton was trained to be aware of students’ great ability to play tricks on the
teachers. Later, while teaching the boys fundamental skills of high jump during a track and field unit in Physical
Education, one student complained about his arm being hurt after his first jump. Milton thought that the student
was trying to fool him, but eventually found out from the infirmary that he had fractured his arm. After that,
Milton learned to send any injured student to the infirmary, immediately.
Mr. Lee enjoyed six years as the junior high boys basketball coach from 1969-1975. During his career he
amassed an amazing record of 50 wins and 10 losses. Still to this day, Mr. Lee can tell you exactly how many
wins/losses his teams had each season, off the top of his head. Milton commented that the players were a very
talented group; we know they were also very inspired by his coaching techniques.
Coaching a junior high basketball game, Milton asked his player to defend one player from another team all the
time. After a time-out, Milton looked out on the court and counted only four players from WSD! He searched
for fifth player everywhere and found the player sitting on the opponent’s bench next to the player he was
supposed to defend!
During one basketball season, a tall center had dislocated his shoulder. It was not the first time it happened and
the center asked Milton to pop it back into place. Although it required several tries, Milton was able to pop the
shoulder back. The superintendent watched this incidence and told Milton that he was satisfied with Milton’s
expertise. Guess you could add “doctor” next to Mr. Lee’s name.
At a track and field meet, a long distance runner asked Mr. Lee if he could go and use the restroom just before
his event: the 1600 meter run. Mr. Lee told him that he had a choice: go to restroom and miss the race or “hold
it” and run the race. The runner chose to run and Mr. Lee cannot help but notice that the runner’s time was faster
than usual. After the runner crossed the finish line, he kept on running straight to the restroom.
One day during a physical education class, a squirrel got in and ran all over the gym. Mr. Lee allowed his
students to chase the squirrel. This went on for quite a while. Finally, the students decided to open the doors
an