OTTUMWA —
The words of a friend rang in hauntingly sad hindsight Thursday for those that got a chance to know Michael Haynes.
They were words of advice from the son of a former coach. There were words that those who knew Haynes wish he would have acted on immediately.
Dockery told the Chicago Sun Times about the conversation his son, former Duke player Sean, had with Haynes after receiving the same tragic news that those associated with Indian Hills received late Thursday night. Haynes, 22, who helped Indian Hills make it back to the national tournament and earned an opportunity to live a dream by playing major college basketball at Iona, was shot and killed outside his Chicago home.
”He talked with my son last week He told (Michael) he should get out of Chicago as soon as he could,” Dockery said.
Authorities say the former Warrior was trying to break up a fight over a stolen necklace Thursday shortly after 5 p.m. Chicago police reports stated that Haynes was shot in wrist, chest and lower back after Haynes pushed the shooter while several men were shoving each other during the incident.
Police in Chicago are currently investigating the shooting. According to Haynes' cousin, Kandice Blouin, the shooter pulled out a gun and shot Haynes, ending a young life and the dream of more than just the victim.
“He was an innocent victim, very loved by everybody,” Blouin told the Sun Times. “He was our meal ticket. He was going to heal this hood and they took his life.”
The news of Haynes death spread quickly, reaching Indian Hills head coach Barret Peery on a recruiting trip in Las Vegas. Peery immediately relied the tragic news to his team, including a coaching staff and several returning players that were part of last year’s team with Haynes.
“A lot of the guys began hearing some rumors about it through social media, so we got them together as soon as we could and let them know this awful news,” said Indian Hills assistant coach John Wardenberg, who informed the Warrior players about the incident. “They’re all going to miss Mike. He was a great teammate of ours.
“The guys knew he was passionate about winning and passionate about the game of basketball. He was a great teammate for all of us. We’re going to miss him.”
The news was also reached New York, which is where Haynes was headed to this fall. The former Warrior was set to join Iona College next season as part of head coach Tim Cluess’ incoming recruiting class.
“It’s just so hard. I don’t know how to describe it,” Cluess told the New York Daily News late Thursday night. “Once you got to know Michael, you just couldn’t wait to coach him.
“He came from a rough area in Chicago and just wanted to make a better life for himself. He was just looking for a chance to change his life.”
The tragic news of Haynes’ death came a day before the scheduled celebration for Pete Mickeal, the first basketball player to be inducted in the Indian Hills Athletic Hall of Fame. Assistant coaches Wardenberg, Chris Skinkis and Brandon Burgette joined several players in representing the current Warrior basketball team on a night to celebrate one of the program’s best players despite losing one of their own.
“Obviously, it’s been a long 24 hours for our guys,” Wardenberg said. “The guys have been able to work through a lot of feelings since hearing the news. I’m really proud of them.”
“You’re never really prepared to deal with a tragedy like this. Coach Peery and I and the rest of our staff have all tried to make the best of a terrible situation for our guys. It’s been difficult. There’s no doubt about it.”
The players got a chance to meet and talk with Mickeal during the event and also received many condolences from so many community members. It was that support that really resonated for Wardenburg.
“Pete talked with us and he indicated that the city of Ottumwa and the great friends and boosters of our program is so great about reaching out to all of us,” Wardenburg said. “This is as great a community as I know of in the game of basketball when it comes to their passion for this team. It’s truly a family and it’s made it a little better for our guys as they struggle to get through this.”
For Wardenburg, the past 24 hours have been made easier after receiving the tragic news by remembering the kind of person, and player, Haynes was to coach.
“Mike was a great role model because, even though he didn’t start, he played hard every minute he was on the floor,” Wardenberg said. “Even though I’m sure he was disappointed in not starting, he showed what it meant to be an important part of a team. He helped our team being a leader on and off the floor.”
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Related Photos
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Michael Haynes signs his letter of intent to play basketball next season at Iona. Haynes was shot and killed outside his home in Chicago Thursday evening.
July 28, 2012
Warrior hoops family reacts to death of Haynes
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