Coach Les Fein A Weequahic Legend Passes Within a span of five years in the 1960's, Les Fein's basketball teams won three state Group IV basketball championships and the 1967 squad was the best in the nation By Phil Yourish, 1964 I thought he was invincible. To a Weequahic guy who grew and his wife had with Weight And why not? After all, he was up in the bleachers of our tiny Watchers. the COACH. When I heard in gym watching the magical February that he had a heart moments of basketball unfold It needs to be noted that Les attack and a stroke, I believed, on the court before me, his was more than just sports and even at age 88, this would be stories about his teams and his basketball. He was a very just another challenge that he players were riveting - and he well-rounded individual with a would overcome. provided the emotion with the wide variety of interests who details. was an avid reader, enjoyed As the Executive Director of the music, art and theater, and was Weequahic High School As an ardent fan, the highlight very knowledgeable about local Alumni Association, I got to of my high school years was the and world affairs. know Les Fein over the recent Weequahic basketball team. years in a way that I never knew Could there be a finer moment Recently, he sent me an article him when he was my physical than when Weequahic beat that he wrote and wanted me to and health education teacher at Westfield to capture its first critique. In it he stated that for Weequahic in the early 60's. state basketball championship him the most important factor in 1962? in coaching was "relationship." For the past few winters, when I And his life reflected that credo. made my annual trek to Florida, For a man in his late 80's, Les' I always looked forward to memory was sharp and his He knew his players well having lunch with Les at his recall of facts was remarkable. beyond the basketball court. country club. Although he Considering that he left He could recite their exper- thought the attraction for me coaching and Weequahic in iences and achievements in life was the huge and tasty buffet, it 1967, there wasn't much that he during and after Weequahic. was really only about being couldn't remember. He always had their names, with Les Fein. addresses, and telephone Not only did he speak about the numbers nearby, and even after I always enjoyed getting highlights of his 12 golden all these years, he made a con- together with him. My time years at Weequahic and the certed effort to stay in touch by with him was very precious. I exploits of his exceptionally telephone, letter, and an occas- could sit and listen to his stories talented teams and players, but ional lunch when they came to for hours. He was mesmerizing. he shared with me the more visit him in Jersey or Florida. In his soft-spoken and expres- personal side of his life - his sive manner, he could relate a growing up in Brooklyn, his story in the most engrossing time in the Army, his marriage go to page 3 way. I would be totally to Ceil, his coming to Newark, absorbed, always wanting to tales about his kids, his coach- hear more. ing career, and the success he season. "I just wanted to be near him, Les Fein, 88, and I guarantee a lot of people felt the WHS Legend Passes same way. There was a goodness from from page 1 WHS Basketball Coach him." By Laura Johnston, Star-Ledger - 03/10/07 This past September, at our Scholarship Mr. Fein met his wife, Cecile, at a Sweet Fund Raising Dinner, as he spoke 16 party in Brooklyn. Cecile was 15 1/2; eloquently about Alvin Attles (whom he he was a year older. "I told my sister I did not coach), he took time to introduce was going to marry that guy," Cecile Fein his 17 basketball players who were said after 63 years of marriage. "I felt it." present. Les Fein was always about The couple dated all through New York creating relationships. University, where they earned bachelor's and master's degrees and doctoral equiva- Three of the qualities that I admired in Les lency in physical education and health. were his authenticity, modesty, and sense of humor. When you were in his After they married, they moved to presence, you felt like he was genuinely Woodridge, N.Y., until Mr. Fein was interested in who you were. He made you drafted into the Army Air Force during feel comfortable and special. In addition, World War II and stationed at Fort his success in sports and business was Jackson, S.C., Cecile Fein said. After the Ceil and Les Fein always kept in perspective. Although he war, they moved to Union, where Mr. received many honors and awards, he was Fein began teaching physical education at the most humble person I knew. He had To all of Newark, Lester Fein was the Weequahic. famed coach who led the Weequahic High no need to broadcast his accomplishments. Most of all, Les could make me laugh. basketball team to three state champion- And then he began coaching. Mr. Fein ships, seven state sectional titles and a His humor was subtle, but he brought a made sure his team felt like part of the smile to my too serious face many times. 26-0 season in 1966-67, when Weequahic family. He invited his players over for was ranked first in the nation. pre-season lunches, rewarded them with cookies his wife and daughter baked and To his family, the Verona resident was the When we started the alumni association in stressed that relationships were the key to 1997, Les was one of our biggest perfect tango partner, a voracious reader, winning in basketball. a dapper dresser, a wonderful listener. He supporters at a time when many doubted was a mensch. our capacity for future success. He always "That's how his life was," said his son, made himself available and he served as Kenneth Fein, 58, of Monroe, Conn. "He the honorary chairperson of our "It means he was just a good soul, a good had many dear relationships." In 12 person with a good heart who wanted to Scholarship Committee. My favorite days seasons at Weequahic, Mr. Fein was were the ones when he called to tell me do things the right way and who appre- 210-69, won the City League title eight ciated others who did," said his daughter, how much he enjoyed the latest Alumni times, the Essex County title three times Calumet newsletter, what a wonderful job Stephanie Fein of North Caldwell. "It and the state Group 4 championship three was never just winning for the sake of the alumni association was doing, or to times. He was twice The Star-Ledger just chat for a few minutes. In the ensuing winning. ... It was always for the pride in Coach of the Year. He was inducted into doing it well." years, he would be very generous, the JCC MetroWest Jewish Sports Hall of providing funds for the French class trip Fame in 2004. Mr. Fein - Les to his countless fans - died to Paris and for the Alvin Attles Scholarship Fund. Friday in Boca Raton Community Alvin Attles, who played for the NBA's Hospital, in Florida, where he had a Philadelphia Warriors, and later the second home, after suffering a heart The Coach didn't grow up in New Jersey. Golden State Warriors, met Mr. Fein on He attended school in Brooklyn. He attack and stroke last month. He was 88. the Avon Avenue Playground before he The father of two and grandfather of three never knew much about Newark until he was in eighth grade. It was 1951, said applied for a teaching job. From hearing coached for 12 years at Weequahic, in Attles, 70, who remembers Mr. Fein's Newark's South Ward, and kept in touch him talk about his life during that time, I 1951 Chevy. "As great of a coach as he always got the feeling that although with his players ever since. A reserved was, he was a much better person," Attles man, he cheered on the Knicks and the coming to Newark was fortuitous, it was said. "There was something about him also his destiny. Giants, played golf and tennis, collected that reached everyone." art and ran a Weight Watchers franchise with his wife and daughter. Les was an intelligent, kind, generous, In addition to his wife, Cecile, and caring, courageous and engaging children, Stephanie and Kenneth, Mr. "I could talk forever about Lester," said individual. I appreciated his friendship Fein is survived by three grandchildren: and I feel privileged to have known him. Stephen Bleier of Morristown, team Jennifer Rebecca Fein, Danielle Lauren captain during Weequahic's 1961-62 He was truly a Weequahic legend! We Fein, and David Hunter Fein. will miss him very much. Coach Fein’s Basketball Players: 1955-1967 pictured above and listed below and in the left and right columns: Top Row L-R: Gerry Greenspan, 1959; Charles Talley, 1966; Al Friedman, 1962; Tom Boose, Jan. 1959; Dennis Mo Layton, 1967; Mike Cohen, 1960; Sandy Salz, Jan. 1957; Dana Lewis, 1967; Art Woliansky, 1960; Chris Pervall, 1962; Barry Gimelstob, Jan. 1961. 2nd Row L-R: Jimmy Williams, Jan. 1956; Gary Solomon, 1958; Larry Layton, 1963; Larry Bembry, 1966.