Great editorial on Coach Wells -New HV Coach- Martinsville Bulletin

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Farewell, coach Troy Wells

Thursday, May 1, 2008

 

Martinsville High School has just lost one of its best role models for our youth. Coach Troy Wells spent 29 years here working with the boys varsity basketball teams. First as an assistant coach and then as the head coach. He was a Christian and conducted himself as one. As a teacher and coach, he was a disciplinarian; and it showed in the teams he placed on the basketball court. He expected his players to conduct themselves as MHS Bulldogs; and they were expected to carry on the long tradition of winning district, regional, and state basketball championships.

 

 

I am thankful that my son had the opportunity to have been on the Bulldog team when Wells was an assistant coach. My son is 37 years old now and living in Roanoke. He has attempted to catch the Bulldogs when they were playing a game in Roanoke and a chance to see his former coach. I still hear quotes that were uttered by coach Wells to the teams of the late 1980s. His influence lives on in this 37-year old basketball, baseball, and football coach now volunteering in Roanoke County. Thanks coach Wells for your example and good influence.

 

It is such a shame that Wells was driven to seek a coaching position elsewhere because the clock was ticking and coaching positions were being filled in other school systems. He was led to believe that he could retire from teaching and still coach the Bulldogs. Re-applying with a May 2 deadline and May 12 decision is a bit late, don’t you think? His strong desire to work with young men left him no choice but to continue that wish somewhere else.

 

The Martinsville City School System needs to re-evaluate its policies before they drive away teachers, coaches and valuable volunteers, such as Lorrie Teegen (cheerleading coach).

 

They also need to examine why they cannot purchase the necessary uniforms and equipment for the high school teams but can afford a $25,000 raise for the superintendent.

 

This year the MHS Booster Club has been called upon to furnish necessities as well as other items that were routinely furnished by the school system. They have even received requests for things that were not necessities. The Booster Club’s goals in the past have been to supply the extras such as state championship rings, rewards for exemplary accomplishments, trophies, appropriate pre-game meals for players before games, awards banquets and refreshments for awards ceremony receptions, and other items that were not being supplied by the system.

 

It is difficult to find volunteers in the younger generation who will give of their time and money. Most of the Booster Club consists of men and women who are retired and whose sons and daughters have moved out of the area. I certainly hope that recent actions by the school board and administration do not impact these people who have willingly given so generously to support the teams and coaches of Martinsville High School.

 

Alda Draper

 

Martinsville