Coach Badgett-the perfect golf coach-he never allowed the young golfers to really get out of line on trips to state events but he never really over-supervised so that you didn't have fun. Our trips to Waycross were delightful because he was such a good handler of young people and we were just enough fearful of him to not go too far! One never saw Bill Badgett lose his temper but never wanted to either! He was a good coach on the football field and certainly had a good enough reputation around College Park Golf Course that we assumed he was quite a golfer in his own right although we hardly ever saw him hit a ball-Gordon Morris was like his agent-always assuring us that he was a good player and that we should listen to him and thusly improve our game. RIP Coach Badgett!!
I played 8th grade ball for coach badgett. I felt his love for the boys and sensed his deep grief. He seemed to know that we would grow to be men and that life would be hard. He was tender and tough and a role modle.
I really admired and loved this man! And he must have loved me very much, also. Because he once told me, "I wouldn't tease you so much unless I liked you." :-)
Coach Badgett gave me faith in myself and the hope that I could play college football. I will always remember his famous line "It is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog" This saying helped me to never give up in life and it was my inspiration during hard times in my life. Thanks Coach Badgett
I think of Mr. Badgett quite often as I age. He was a constant source of support and challenge to me as I slowly matured. Together with my father, Mr. Harris and Mr. Felder, he modeled for me what it was to be a man: gentle, wise, committed and dedicated. His quiet sense of humor was also a joy to see. Together with others, I attened his funeral service and paid tribute to a good man.
I remember the little kindnesses Coach Badgett extended to me when I first went out for football in eighth grade. That first day in the locker room it was obvious to me, and I'm sure to everyone else, that I had never put on a football uniform and had no idea where to begin. Coach Badgett spotted my confusion and very patiently showed me how to get into my uniform and pads, and how to adjust everything just right. The following spring, after the first day of spring practice, I had severe blisters. The next day of practice, Coach Badgett drove up behind me as I was tiptoeing toward the locker room door holding my street shoes in my hand to avoid the pain. He took one look at my bleeding heels and said, "Follow me." I did and he quickly retrieved a pair of tennis shoes that I could wear confortably during practice that day, especially comfortable since they were sized for a giant at least six or seven feet in height and thus barely touched my feet. Those are the kind of thoughtful and caring things I remember about Coach Badgett. After tenth grade I had to drop out of football to concentrate on academics and other extra-curricular activities. I needed a scholarship to attend college, and college football scholarships were not being offered to 5'-5" 115-pound Left Ends who had a bad case of klutz most of the time. To my sadness, Coach Badgett never spoke to me again, and even pointedly turned his back on me on several occasions when I greeted him. Some friends on the team told me of a few derogatory comments he made about my leaving the team as well. It hurt at the time, but now, after so many years, I have been able to put everything into perspective. Sports was Coach Badgett's life, and I have come to understand that he just didn't have room in his life for those who did not put sports above everything else.
I can remember as a running back Coach Badgett said don't carry the ball like a loaf of bread. Coach Badgett would always leave the team alone right before we would go out to play a game. We would band together and repeat the Lord's prayer. We would pray for the other team that there we be no crippling injuries to them or to us during the game. There was a very close bond, I can still remember. Many of my teammates are gone now and on a team where everybody plays no one sits out the game. You running backs, fumbles are not allowed, you lineman better open the holes We have a Coach with very high standards just like Coach Badgett. His influnce is like a ripple in a lake in gos on and on. I was blessed to have known him and honored to have played football under his leadership for CPHS and for white and blue. Ward Lawton, class of 1954.
I remember first time I wore a game uniform. Sitting on bench with the rest off the scrubbs.As the rest of us I thought great we get to watch the cheerleaders up close. It was a travel game to Cartersville and first game of the season.
Must have been the second series of downs because I was prepared to watch the game when the guy next to me punched me with his elbow saying Coach is calling you. I said ME?!! grabing my helmet rushed up to him. He looked to me Like a giant standing there watching the game and we were on defense.
As soon as the play was over Coach said get in there for Bishop. Yes Sir, running on to field hollering Bishop. Wasn't sure where his position was at first then took the right linebacker place and all of a sudden Cartersville broke their huddle and rushed to the line. I still have no idea why Coach called on me a skinny 55 lb wet behind the ears kid.
Then instinct took over. Cartersville had this great Tailback and from past year was a all state in newspaper, believe his name was Lamar Leachman. They ran the single wing formation and my first time playing with the big guys. Still don't know whether coach pulled Bishop out to tell him something then send him back in. But I think that play sealed my place on the team.
Their quterback begain to call signals all of a sudden right in front of me came Lamar. As I said INSTINCT. THERE WAS A CRASH. NO GAIN. We both got up and Lamar said to me nice tackle, Know I smiled but everything was purple, had my bell rung.
That was it, I was first team defense from then on. Single wing plays had an up back and he and the right guard would pull to lead blocking for the tail back so I was right behind the guard and I tackled Lamar on every sweep to their right. Not wanting to bragg only to put the importance of me playing that position the rest of my time as part of our team.
I felt great, when I went back to my seat and all guys sapping me on the back, and on our next defense series I went up close to Coach and he motion me to get in.
I think that memory will stay with me forever just knowing Coach Badgett trusted me to handle the position
Les Wilson (1964)
Coach Badgett-the perfect golf coach-he never allowed the young golfers to really get out of line on trips to state events but he never really over-supervised so that you didn't have fun. Our trips to Waycross were delightful because he was such a good handler of young people and we were just enough fearful of him to not go too far! One never saw Bill Badgett lose his temper but never wanted to either! He was a good coach on the football field and certainly had a good enough reputation around College Park Golf Course that we assumed he was quite a golfer in his own right although we hardly ever saw him hit a ball-Gordon Morris was like his agent-always assuring us that he was a good player and that we should listen to him and thusly improve our game. RIP Coach Badgett!!
Don Lewis (1968)
I played 8th grade ball for coach badgett. I felt his love for the boys and sensed his deep grief. He seemed to know that we would grow to be men and that life would be hard. He was tender and tough and a role modle.
James H Cook, Jr. (1974)
I really admired and loved this man! And he must have loved me very much, also. Because he once told me, "I wouldn't tease you so much unless I liked you." :-)
John David Pickering, Sr. (1974)
Coach Badgett gave me faith in myself and the hope that I could play college football. I will always remember his famous line "It is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog" This saying helped me to never give up in life and it was my inspiration during hard times in my life. Thanks Coach Badgett
Roland Perdue (1952)
I think of Mr. Badgett quite often as I age. He was a constant source of support and challenge to me as I slowly matured. Together with my father, Mr. Harris and Mr. Felder, he modeled for me what it was to be a man: gentle, wise, committed and dedicated. His quiet sense of humor was also a joy to see. Together with others, I attened his funeral service and paid tribute to a good man.
Roland P. Perdue, CPHS, class of 1952
Elward (Woody) Rigsby (1956)
Dennis Thompson ( 1959 ) and Roland Perdue ( 1952 ) have said it as well as I'm sure I can but I will try to
sum up sixty years of appreciation in as few words as possible. I learned,although in my case not soon enough
for football, that we are stronger than we think....have more in reserve than we believe...and will find whatever
is required if we reach deep enough, from Coach Ralph W. " Bill ' " Badgett.
Dan Bruce (1960)
I remember the little kindnesses Coach Badgett extended to me when I first went out for football in eighth grade. That first day in the locker room it was obvious to me, and I'm sure to everyone else, that I had never put on a football uniform and had no idea where to begin. Coach Badgett spotted my confusion and very patiently showed me how to get into my uniform and pads, and how to adjust everything just right. The following spring, after the first day of spring practice, I had severe blisters. The next day of practice, Coach Badgett drove up behind me as I was tiptoeing toward the locker room door holding my street shoes in my hand to avoid the pain. He took one look at my bleeding heels and said, "Follow me." I did and he quickly retrieved a pair of tennis shoes that I could wear confortably during practice that day, especially comfortable since they were sized for a giant at least six or seven feet in height and thus barely touched my feet. Those are the kind of thoughtful and caring things I remember about Coach Badgett. After tenth grade I had to drop out of football to concentrate on academics and other extra-curricular activities. I needed a scholarship to attend college, and college football scholarships were not being offered to 5'-5" 115-pound Left Ends who had a bad case of klutz most of the time. To my sadness, Coach Badgett never spoke to me again, and even pointedly turned his back on me on several occasions when I greeted him. Some friends on the team told me of a few derogatory comments he made about my leaving the team as well. It hurt at the time, but now, after so many years, I have been able to put everything into perspective. Sports was Coach Badgett's life, and I have come to understand that he just didn't have room in his life for those who did not put sports above everything else.
David McKee (1972)
Coach Badgett gave me some advice in 1970. I ignored his advice. Today, everytime I think of it, I kick myself.
How I wish I could have those years back!!!
Ward Lawton (1954)
I can remember as a running back Coach Badgett said don't carry the ball like a loaf of bread. Coach Badgett would always leave the team alone right before we would go out to play a game. We would band together and repeat the Lord's prayer. We would pray for the other team that there we be no crippling injuries to them or to us during the game. There was a very close bond, I can still remember. Many of my teammates are gone now and on a team where everybody plays no one sits out the game. You running backs, fumbles are not allowed, you lineman better open the holes We have a Coach with very high standards just like Coach Badgett. His influnce is like a ripple in a lake in gos on and on. I was blessed to have known him and honored to have played football under his leadership for CPHS and for white and blue. Ward Lawton, class of 1954.
Raymond Prestage (1953)
I remember first time I wore a game uniform. Sitting on bench with the rest off the scrubbs.As the rest of us I thought great we get to watch the cheerleaders up close. It was a travel game to Cartersville and first game of the season.
Must have been the second series of downs because I was prepared to watch the game when the guy next to me punched me with his elbow saying Coach is calling you. I said ME?!! grabing my helmet rushed up to him. He looked to me Like a giant standing there watching the game and we were on defense.
As soon as the play was over Coach said get in there for Bishop. Yes Sir, running on to field hollering Bishop. Wasn't sure where his position was at first then took the right linebacker place and all of a sudden Cartersville broke their huddle and rushed to the line. I still have no idea why Coach called on me a skinny 55 lb wet behind the ears kid.
Then instinct took over. Cartersville had this great Tailback and from past year was a all state in newspaper, believe his name was Lamar Leachman. They ran the single wing formation and my first time playing with the big guys. Still don't know whether coach pulled Bishop out to tell him something then send him back in. But I think that play sealed my place on the team.
Their quterback begain to call signals all of a sudden right in front of me came Lamar. As I said INSTINCT. THERE WAS A CRASH. NO GAIN. We both got up and Lamar said to me nice tackle, Know I smiled but everything was purple, had my bell rung.
That was it, I was first team defense from then on. Single wing plays had an up back and he and the right guard would pull to lead blocking for the tail back so I was right behind the guard and I tackled Lamar on every sweep to their right. Not wanting to bragg only to put the importance of me playing that position the rest of my time as part of our team.
I felt great, when I went back to my seat and all guys sapping me on the back, and on our next defense series I went up close to Coach and he motion me to get in.
I think that memory will stay with me forever just knowing Coach Badgett trusted me to handle the position