A Tribute to Coach Chunk Reid

881  47  1

Numbers don't lie, at least in this case! Coach Chunk Reid, recently retired from coaching the Vidalia High School Girls Basketball Team. The numbers represent the following:
881 wins as the VHS Girls Basketball Coach!
47 years as the VHS Girls Basketball Coach!
Number 1 in wins in GHSA history as a Girls Basketball Coach!

Someone recently asked me the reason Coach Reid was such a good coach. I wasn't sure the answer. I believe there are many reasons, and a lot I can't fathom. Obviously, his opponents couldn't figure out the reasons for his success or they would have stopped him.

However, I have some ideas of why he has been such a successful coach. My relationship with Coach Reid goes way back. It first began for me as I watched my sister being coached by him. She played early in his career. Nancy was on the: '71-'72, '72-'73, & 73-'74 teams. These were successful teams! I enjoyed watching the games. I remember great players like: Kay Thompson Brown, Bezel Cooper, Polly Ann Fields Martin, Kay Sanford, and Nancy Hansley to name a few.

My second connection to Coach Reid was in '78-'79 when he was my DCT teacher at VHS. I can remember searching for possible careers during this class. It was very valuable, especially in the elimination of unwanted jobs. This class also allowed me to work my high-school job at Sea Island Cotton Gin, which taught me so many things that "school" could never teach me. I am a big believer in high school students having a job.

After I decided to not go to college, then changed my mind and went to college, I earned a business degree. After a few months working in the business world, I decided to go back to college to be a teacher. One reason was to become a coach. I had done some coaching for the VRD and GSC Intramurals and I really like it. Coach Reid and I had similar coaching paths. We both were interested in coaching football and baseball, which we both did. Next, we both landed in Girls Sports and loved it. So, my football career was with Coach Buck Cravey for one season at VHS in 1988. Coach Reid was a game-day coach for the team. For some reason, we seemed to always sit together on the rides to and from the games. I enjoyed the conversations and learned at the same time. After 3 years of coaching baseball ('89-'91) for VHS and Coach Gregg James, I "retired" from high school coaching.

About 1 & 1/2 years later (Fall of '92), Coach Reid called and offered me the Girls Softball B-Team coaching position, which I accepted. I was attempting to finish my Masters degree, so that was all of my coaching duties for that school year. After finishing my Masters in the summer of '93, Coach Reid gave me some great opportunities. I was head B-Team/ Assistant Varsity for the VHS Girls Softball Team for 3 years ('93-'95). We had great success, winning 3 Region Titles and a State Runner-Up finish. In 1996, I coached the first ever J.R. Trippe Girls softball team and was Coach Reid's assistant for VHS Varsity softball. Once again, VHS was the Region winner and State Runner-Up. Even though we won the Middle School League Title, I told Coach Reid that I would not coach middle school softball again, but I would help him. To my pleasant surprise, he said he would turn the varsity over to me. First, this was quite an honor because Coach Reid had been the only VHS Girls Softball Coach. The program started in the early 80s and he had much success, including a State Championship in '86. I was thankful he trusted me with the team. Also, this was a life-long dream coming to fruition of being a head-varsity coach of a high school sport. I really appreciated Coach Reid allowing me to reach that goal. From there, Coach Reid was my Athletic Director, advisor and friend.

Now to attempt to explain his success. Once again, you would have to ask him, but I do know some of the ingredients for his historical success.
1. He is the best listener I have ever known. He also would tell you his opinion. Honestly there were times Coach Reid and I disagreed, but it wasn't because he didn't listen to me.
2. He is willing to think outside the box. He analyzes situations and does what he thinks is best. He is not overly concerned about public opinion. He sticks to his guns unless someone has a better idea.
3. He built a winning tradition. This is a cornerstone for any program that can win on this magnitude to allow you to win more games than any coach ever in the sport you coach.
4. He had good players. To be a good coach, you must have some talent.
5. He had good assistants, especially Coach Sissy Anderson for 20 years. Basketball is fast paced and it takes another set of eyes to help watch 10 players playing at the same time.
6. He had competitive practices. This shows up time and again with great coaches.
7. He adapted to the changes of the game. One example: When my sister played in the early '70s, there were 6 players per team. There were 2 forwards, who could only play on the offensive half of the court. There were 2 defensive guards, who could only play on the defensive half of the court. And, there were 2 rovers, who could play anywhere on the court. So, the game was basically 4 on 4 on either side of the court.
8. He used psychology and knowledge of players as elements to use in motivating that particular player.
9. He loves Vidalia High School. There is no substitute for loyalty.
10. He has a VERY supportive wife! Barbara was there at games and supported coach, knowing he would be gone a lot.

VHS is very fortunate to have had Coach Reid! I wish him the best in his future endeavors!