Joe North, Ellen Renfroe Reed, Brandon Rowland, Dexter Williams and Jeff Wyatt are the newest members of the Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame.
The five will become the 34th class inducted when ceremonies are held at the Carl Perkins Civic Center at 6:30 p.m., April 18.
NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM & WNWS.COM visited with Joe North – who dedicated 39 years to teaching and coaching basketball at the high school and middle school level – for a Question and Answer session.
He compiled an overall record of 853-239 at high schools in Bells, Bolivar, Crockett County, Adamsville, Dyersburg, North Side and Trinity Christian Academy.
He coached middle schools at Michie, Adamsville and University School of Jackson.
Question: While several people know Joe North the basketball coach, let’s start with some background information – where are you originally from, family, education and hobbies?
Answer: I went to Ramer High School in McNairy County, and played basketball for Marvin Williams.
My freshman year (Ramer High School) was the first school to integrate its basketball team in West Tennessee.
I graduated in 1969, Lambuth College in 1974, and earned my Masters Degree from Memphis State in 1982.
Nancy and I married in 1982, and we have two daughters – Stephanie Cross and Shannon Schuler.
We have one grandson, Hunter Cross, and he and Cameron Briley make up the band, ‘Skeleton Krew.’
My hobbies are golf, antiques and following my grandson’s music.
Question: Your success was not limited to one high school as a head basketball coach. What was the common theme at seven different high schools in West Tennessee where you won 853 games?
Answer: I enjoyed all of the schools where I coached. I guess I’m just a restless soul always looking for a new challenge. After 10 years at Bolivar Central, I was feeling a little burned out. The change to Crockett County was the best thing that could have happened. It made me realize that my coaching style and discipline is transferable to all kids and schools.
Question: You’re known for coaching, but you also taught school. What subject or subjects did you teach, and what influenced you to obtain your degree in that field?
Answer: I taught mostly U.S. and World History, but I did teach some Psychology and Wellness. Mrs. Fulton, my high school English teacher influenced me to teach. Mr. Mathis at Lambuth gave me a deep appreciation for history.
To me (teaching, coaching) was the same. In both you need a well thought out effective plan. The difference is the scoreboard.
Question: What was the toughest part of coaching the game?
Answer: Game coaching is an art of its own. Knowing when to change what you are doing. How to use time outs. How to use your bench. Who to foul. When to press. I had a great mentor, Marvin Day, at Middleton High School, who was a master at game coaching.
Question: What was the most gratifying moment you had as a coach?
Answer: That’s hard to say, but when former players come by and see you and tell you that you made a difference, it feels pretty good.
Question: Are you still involved with the game of basketball today? If not, is there still something there that motivates you to return to the sidelines?
Answer: I miss coaching each and every day to the point that I can’t go to a game without getting upset, so I don’t go. My grandson has given me a great outlet with his music and our record shop. I could never coach again because the fire that burned in me for 40 years as a coach is finally gone.
(PHOTO: Joe North)
David Thomas, Twitter – @DavidThomasWNWS
https://www.facebook.com/NewsTalk1015/
