Dear Coach

I just had to reprint Edie's letter to Coach Carter so everyone could read it. Very well put, Edie. Todd read the letter at the reunion, and it was wonderful. We missed you. Bunny
*****
Dear Coach,
Words are insufficient to express the impact you have had on my life. Excluding my family, you are the one person who has influenced me more than any other. I’m sure that the other members of the Lady Vikings family will concur with my praises of you. You have the special power to see potential and to draw it out. You believe in individuals long before they believe in themselves. With the self-discipline, determination, and high standards that you set, you have taught us all how to benefit from hard work, thrive during difficulties, and find within ourselves that “something special” that you have always seen in us. You are a part of who we are and what we have become. You live in us and in our families. We often hear your words coming from our mouths, like we might those of a dear parent, when we are encouraging, scolding, or guiding our children. We even find that we are still disappointed in ourselves when we don’t meet the high standard that you set for us so long ago. We are all connected to you in an immensely important way.
In addition, you have connected us with each other – players, cheerleaders, managers, scorekeepers, teachers, parents, and fans – to a place in time where expectations, team work, and a sense of community allowed us to achieve the impossible. All this happened in a tiny little town where practically every citizen was involved with “the winning streak” at some level. We are all a part of a miracle from the past. It lives in our hearts and souls, and its stories will never stop being told. I can say with confidence that when we are gone from this world, our children and theirs will continue to share the legend that only you could have imagined we were able to achieve.
It has been a wonderful blessing to have had the honor of being coached and encouraged by you. I am eternally grateful that God placed the Lady Vikings family in your care.

Edie Smith Baxley