It's fitting that the gym's Fetterman award is given each year to a person in the community who had dedicated his or her life to area youth, especially in the area of athletics.

It became immediately apparent Thursday that Feik, a 1978 graduate of Cooperstown, who played for one of White's championship basketball teams, absorbed all the right lessons from his years with such legendary athletic personalities such as White, Don Howard, Ted Kantorowski and other past recipients of the Fetterman Award. And, of course, Fetterman himself.

Fetterman was the longtime director of the Sports Center, then known as the ACC gym, and had an especially good relationship with youngsters.

"Pat Fetterman had this incredible way of getting to know the individual," said Feik, who took over as director of the gym in September. "This award is all about Pat and what he represented. It's not about wins and losses, it's about what's inside us, like honesty, integrity, dedication and sacrifice. Those were the things that were in Pat Fetterman's heart."

Feik said the Fetterman Award is like a lifetime achievement award, or the Oscar of Cooperstown athletics. And Thursday's luncheon certainly felt like it.

While the luncheon was a touching tribute to White, who coached the varsity basketball team from 1969-1986, it was sprinkled with remarks about Feik as well.

"I just want to say that it is great to have a local person in your position," said Howard. "I know I speak for many when I say I'm glad you're here, and the community is better off for it."

Feik is not just a local boy, he's a local boy who learned all the right lessons from his role models.

"I know Dick White taught us that the work ethic and sacrifice are the ways to succeed," Feik said. "He always built on the positive aspects, he was never negative. I learned a lot from that."

It can be said the Clark Sports Center is the heart of Cooperstown athletics, and as many said at Thursday's luncheon, it's nice to know it's working to a local beat.