The life of a coach; Local softball players in college; Spring
Why coaches quit
It was a chance (no pun intended) meeting when I saw Coach Chance Hicks at the basketball tournament a few nights ago.
Most of our readers will know Chance by reason of his serving as a football coach at Ashworth Middle School in the past and presently at Sonoraville High School. Chance is a former student and possibly his greatest athletic contribution when at Calhoun High was a performance he put on in opposition to the Coosa fans on the opposite side of the gym. Chance can explain that entertaining performance is he desires. He knows it left a lasting impression of pleasure on the heart of this old coach.
Coach Hicks told me that something I shared with him several years ago came to his mind nearly each day of his life. The story concerned a successful football coach who walked into his principal’s office and placed his keys on the desk and announced he would not be coaching any longer. The coach’s answer to the principal’s inquiry as to why the coach would quit was the point making an impact.
It is hoped each reader will think carefully about what the coach told his principal. We all associate coaching with excitement, with success and with celebration. Of course, those are the characteristics when one’s team wins the game or has a successful season. Then there are the times the end result isn’t as rewarding; all games do not end in victory. There are some losses along the way.
The coach hit the nail on the head when he said to the principal “The lows are too low and the highs aren’t high enough, and they don’t last long enough.” Long has to positon been advocated that whether a coach’s team wins or loses, he or she can only reflect upon the outcome for a little while; the thinking and attention must then turn to the next contest. Take football games for instance: Fans, in contrast, can hash over the game into the night and around café tables on Saturday morning.
As observed before, coaching is a lonely job. I hope readers will remember what has just been said about the lows and highs of coaching. Those not in the arena don’t have a clue.
Local girls continue their softball careers
One of the outstanding features of Alex Farrer’s sport sections is his updates on the actions and status of athletes of our local high schools after they graduate. If this feature has afforded citizens of Gordon County as much pleasure as it has this old coach then Alex’s effort are to be recognized and rewarded. The coming into possession of those things pertaining to athletes who have moved on and contained in that section isn’t always easy to come by.
While I have been specific in mentioning softball, Alex reaches out to the activities of the male athletes also. Motivating my comments is the fact softball season for the ladies in college has now cranked up. Keep up to date by tuning in to Alex’s summary each week.
Calhoun Jackets continue in State Tournament
Central High of Macon came to town last Thursday coming off a victory in which they scored 107 points to advance to the game at Calhoun. Coach Vince Layson, Coach Brock Holley and Coach DeShawn Printup, the Jacket players and their fans left the gym a happy group of people. The Jackets were a determined group of young men and when the dust had cleared they had earned a big victory to advance to the Elite Eight against Jenkins of Savannah. The specifics of the game are in the paper today.
More pleasure and reward was added to the victory when on Friday morning the Jackets demolished the issue of how great the distance is to Savannah by winning the coin toss to determine home-game status. Jenkins will be coming to Calhoun for a Wednesday night game.
“It Happens Every Spring”
We will probably have more cold weather this year but spring has been the norm for several days now. Our local baseball teams are already in action; the major league teams are going strong in the sunny weather of Florida and Arizona. All these facts lend credence to the excitement of the title of the 1949 movie “It Happens Every Spring.”
We can sing that song about young men’s fancy turning to love and all that but the real fact is spring captures the spirit of America’s game – Baseball. We all recognize the athletic scene at all levels is crowded these days. This wasn’t true too many decades ago. Baseball rules the season.
Without hesitation I recommend – no strongly urge – everyone to avail themselves of the opportunity of viewing that movie starring Ray Milland and Jean Peters. It is a movie with novelty turns but it is entertaining and rewarding. I try to see it every year. Also, support your local high school team.
— Jerry Smith is a lifelong resident and former teacher and coach in Calhoun and Gordon County. He writes one weekly sports column and one weekly news column for the Calhoun Times. His views and opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the Calhoun Times and its staff.