Time for a Change
From 7-13-14
When we first started these stories, 40 posts ago, we didn't know whether those who had played or cheered for (or against) our teams cared, or had an interest in the memories or our website.
With 127 varsity teams, nine schools, & a 50-year career, there were a lot of stories to share. We have been pleasantly surprised at the hundreds of Facebook "friend"requests from all over the country. We have received numerous comments which have inspired us, such as JoAnn "it's like a time machine"--Kay "I remember--keep them coming"--Linda "love hearing the stories", Frances "Post on, Coach", Anne "Precious memories" from Tommy, Amie, Mike, Pat--& many others.
As we prepared to leave a life that we had lived for 18 years, we couldn't help but think of the people who helped us accomplish much. Our varsity basketball program had averaged over 25 wins & 4 losses a year in 17 years (428-68 record) with 34 various championships. Over the last 15 of those years, we had been to the state tournament 12 times, won 10 region & 1 State Championship & 2 State Runnerups! We had set a national record which still stands today of 129 straight wins on the home court (& we had another streak of 50 home wins before we lost)! In one 10-year period all of our starters except 2 received basketball scholarships. Several colleges made offers to me, but that was in the day before large TV and shoe contracts. We always tried to do something special for our championship teams such as flying to Kentucky to see their state tournament, going to the Final Four, trip to Disneyworld, trip to the beach, and other things. Our baseball program had been successful with 158-60 record, 5 Region titles & 2 State finalists. I thought it strange the day that the principal called me to the office & our football coach said, "we have to make up our mind whether we want a football school or a basketball school." I asked the coach if they paid him & he said "yes". I said, "They also pay me, & if we don't do the best job possible, they ought to fire us." We had a "midget program" for boys & girls from the 2nd to the 7th grade, & we conducted it all day each Saturday & after our season we had tournaments, free throw contests, awards, etc, as it grew over the years to reach almost 500 youngsters. I realized that "storm clouds" were gathering when an administrator came to me and said that we were over-emphasizing basketball, so they planned to dismantle our "midget basketball" program. (To read more of this story, go to www.coachronbradley.com, click on miscellaneous & click "midget program." This was in the time before Tommy Hailey came along & developed a "model" recreation program! When I told our son, Brad, of our plans to go to GWA, he was startled. He had spent his whole life admiring Ram athletes, waiting for the day when he could wear a blue & white uniform. For two years he had "paid the price" to be on the varsity & in his mind he & his lifetime friend, Scott Hubbard, would be running the NCHS offense with stars, Randy Henderson & Todd Whitsett. The twins, Bob & Bill, who were named for former Newton High MVP players, were at the beach playing in the Gulf & enjoying the scenery, when their mom told them that their dad had taken the George Walton Academy job & that they were going home & expected to be at football practice on Monday. They both exclaimed, in unison, "WHAT??"
