Vic Grider among TSSAA Hall of Fame inductees
After stepping away from actively coaching prep football two years ago, Vic Grider admits he sometimes misses the adrenaline of a big win. On Tuesday that familiar rush came back as the former South Pittsburg coach was notified he will be inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame.
“I guess when you’re away from coaching you look for things to give you that feeling you had, and this is definitely something to feel proud about,” Grider said. “And when you start getting to a certain age in life stuff like this certainly hits you and means more.”
Grider will be one of nine inductees, but is the only one from the Chattanooga area in this year’s class. The annual Hall of Fame luncheon will be held April 15 at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Murfreesboro.
Making the honor more special is the fact that he will join his father, the late Don Grider, who was inducted in into the hall in 2010.
“That’s a really big deal,” added Grider, who is now the athletic director at Dade County High School. “That’s pretty special to me — and I know it is for my mom — so I’m glad she will get to be a part of seeing it happen.
“Really, anytime you receive something like this you know it’s because of a lot of really good people who worked with you, and I’m no different. We had a ton of talented players and some really quality coaches who surrounded me and kept our program as successful as it’s been. For us to accomplish everything we have through the years, on such a consistent basis at a small school, is just incredible.”
Grider coached at his alma mater for 30 years, including 22 as head coach, compiling an impressive 232-54 overall record that included Class 1A state championships in 1999, 2007 and 2010 and runner-up finishes in 2009, 2011, 2020. He was also the defensive coordinator for the Pirates’ 1994 state title team.
South Pittsburg claimed 14 region titles under Grider, who is also a member of the Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame.
Others to be inducted include Bryan True, administrator from Lawrenceburg; the late Jim Heinz, coach from Cordova, David Meske, coach from Knoxville; the late Danny Joe Young, coach from Memphis; Marty Clements, official from Jackson; Dale Ford, official from Jonesborough; Donnie Graham, official from Rockford; and Pat Swallows, contributor from Cookeville.
Tickets for the event will go on sale on Monday, February 27. Anyone interested in attending can purchase tickets for $35 each by visiting www.tssaa.org. Attendees are advised to print the ticket form and mail it to the TSSAA office along with a check or money order. All ticket orders will be available for pick-up on the day of the luncheon. There will be no ticket sales at the door.
“I guess when you’re away from coaching you look for things to give you that feeling you had, and this is definitely something to feel proud about. “And when you start getting to a certain age in life stuff like this certainly hits you and means more.”
— VIC GRIDER