Mr. Barton Olsen was a teacher and coach for the Hauppauge school district from 1957 until retiring in the 80's.  He graduated from Springfield College playing basketball and baseball.  He  came to Hauppauge and coached many sports but left his mark as a wrestling coach from 1957-1973.   Although a Basketball enthusiast, he was given a sport to coach which he new nothing about.  Most people would have hung it up but not Mr. O.  He started with a book in hand and as a result of his persistence and personality became one of the best coaches in Hauppauge's history.  His teams won many championships, never having a losing season.  He was one of those coaches that you want to lay it all on the line and win for.  I have been blessed with many outstanding coaches and role models, throughout my career but seldom came across a personality like the "Big O".  A testament to his legacy was when he was inducted into the first Hauppauge Hall of Fame in 2003.  After the word got out Mr. Olsen was returning to Hauppauge to be honored in the Hall of Fame I decided to have a few guys come over the house for a party the night before.  To my amazement over sixty five former coaches, students and athletes showed up at my house.  They came from as far as California, Texas, Florida and North Carolina to be part of an unbelievable night.  Graduates from 1957 until 1980 came in, all wanting to enjoy some time with him.  Although in his 80's the amazing part of the night was the fact that Mr. Olsen new every face, name and sport they played and told a great story about each guy.  As usual his wit and humor left us all wanting so much more.  Even greater than the night festivities was a comment he made when leaving a few days later.  He said "Christopher I have to tell you in the past few years there were times that I did not want to be here on this earth.  Many times I thought of ending it all.  After this weekend you all have giving me such a tremendous boost that living is a great thing.  The best part of my life was at Hauppauge and seeing all my former friends and students and sharing the memories we had makes me want to live again" 

Mr. Olsen went back to Florida and we kept in touch until he passed in March of 2007.  He deserves to be honored in our history books and will never be forgotten as long as I'm around.