03/20/2026
Today, we mourn the loss of a true Blue Comet Chess legend.
Not a player.
Not a coach.
Not even a trophy.
Coach Gregg's Lawn Chair.
For the last 3 years, this absolute warrior has stood beside Blue Comet Chess through everything. It was there shortly after I was hired as coach, and from that point on it became a permanent fixture of the program. It has seen tournament prep, pre and post-round stress, long nights, big wins, tough losses, and more chess talk than any piece of furniture should ever have to endure.
This was not just a chair. This was family.
It was a silent but dependable member of the team. A steady presence in the room. A veteran of the grind. While others came and went, that chair stayed locked in, day after day, year after year, carrying the weight of the program with quiet dignity and more than a few loose rivets.
Sadly, after 3 years of loyal service, the old warrior has finally broken beyond repair.
The loss is devastating. The room feels different. The team will be shaken. Morale will be low. Grief counselors have not been called in yet, but we will be monitoring the situation.
There is no replacing what this chair meant to the program. Some things are furniture. Some things are legacy.
Rest easy, old friend.
You served with honor.
You bent so we would not break.
