Those who remember the late 60's and early 70's may remember Coach Mitchell Bailey, basketball coach at Shelby County. He also coached baseball. He was assistant with Bill Harrell winning the state championship in 1966. He was assistant under Coach Herky Rupp, and then in 1969-1970 took over as head coach. Despite a small team(6'2 tallest) he led his first team to the state tournament. We all appreciate coaches who are overlooked for their talent, their commitment, and their ability to change/challenge individuals. He was not only a great x/o man, but had the ability to find that special trait within ourself. He was a TOUGH US history teacher, but I wish kids now had him as an instructor, we might appreciate our past. He once said he gave an apple to anyone getting a hundred on his exams. He had given away six in 1970. He also gave a candy bar to the person getting the highest score on his big test. I still have my wrapper.......I definitely still have his philosophies. He let me drive his beautiful car to get hamburgers and drinks for the freshman team that was leaving, on way back, a car pulled in front of me. I wasn't used to real brakes, and they instantly locked, sending the Orange Drinks in the back seat into the floorboard. I'm sure that still today, if you put your foot on those mats it would feel like super glue. But he never raised his voice. We went to the state baseball tournament in 1970 and true to form, school had finished for the year. We continued to practice, and after practice since the school was locked, we put our bats in his car. The practice before the first state tournament game, someone put them in the school. Yes we went to play Valley in the state tournament, and had no bats. I think he did yell a little that time. Most people on this board, know the positives of the argument of the benefit of athletics in high school. I'm sure each of you has a person who has made those times special. Don't be afraid to tell them. Even if they already know.

Those who remember the late 60's and early 70's may remember Coach Mitchell Bailey, basketball coach at Shelby County. He also coached baseball. He was assistant with Bill Harrell winning the state championship in 1966. He was assistant under Coach Herky Rupp, and then in 1969-1970 took over as head coach. Despite a small team(6'2 tallest) he led his first team to the state tournament. We all appreciate coaches who are overlooked for their talent, their commitment, and their ability to change/challenge individuals. He was not only a great x/o man, but had the ability to find that special trait within ourself. He was a TOUGH US history teacher, but I wish kids now had him as an instructor, we might appreciate our past. He once said he gave an apple to anyone getting a hundred on his exams. He had given away six in 1970. He also gave a candy bar to the person getting the highest score on his big test. I still have my wrapper.......I definitely still have his philosophies. He let me drive his beautiful car to get hamburgers and drinks for the freshman team that was leaving, on way back, a car pulled in front of me. I wasn't used to real brakes, and they instantly locked, sending the Orange Drinks in the back seat into the floorboard. I'm sure that still today, if you put your foot on those mats it would feel like super glue. But he never raised his voice. We went to the state baseball tournament in 1970 and true to form, school had finished for the year. We continued to practice, and after practice since the school was locked, we put our bats in his car. The practice before the first state tournament game, someone put them in the school. Yes we went to play Valley in the state tournament, and had no bats. I think he did yell a little that time. Most people on this board, know the positives of the argument of the benefit of athletics in high school. I'm sure each of you has a person who has made those times special. Don't be afraid to tell them. Even if they already know.

 

I will always remember Coach Bailey for wearing that little blue Gillligan looking hat. He must have had that hat or one like it for 40 years. He was a good man.