FAIRHOPE—Members of the Fairhope High classes of 1959 and 1960 are seeking to set up a special scholarship fund to honor former FHS coach and teacher Joe Compton. Compton coached football and taught civics and economics during his short two-season stay with the Pirates.

In that time he took them to and won the Gulf Coast Conference Championship in the fall of 1958 and the Alabama State title in ‘59, but many former students and players agree that his ability to inspire excellence extended beyond the gridiron and left a positive legacy that never left them.

“He was one of the best teachers we ever had,” said former player and civics student Robert Hall. “And he was also one of the first to have a pass-to-play system. If you didn’t make the grade in the classroom, you did not play—no matter how good you were. And he would work with you. If he couldn’t help you, he would get a teacher or another student who could.”

Compton’s combination of sincere guidance for all students, his “hard work builds championship character as well as trophy cases” philosophy along with his no-exception policy on putting grades before games made a measurable impact on student athlete Jerry Brown as well.

“Coach Compton influenced a lot of us and all in the best possible way,” Brown said. “He was a great teacher and leader and by example. Really, he went out of his way to help us be better people and citizens as well as players by giving his best, but he expected us to give it our all, too.”

Brown and Hall are among the organizers of the Compton scholarship’s Fairhope chapter which hopes to make a significant donation to the general fund this November. The general fund will endow an individual scholarship in Compton’s and his wife’s name at West Georgia Tech College.

After Compton returned to Georgia in 1960, he went on to win numerous titles including state championships which in part inspired former players, students and coaching colleagues there to start this scholarship to honor him and his wife, Audis.

“We just think it’s the least we can do here to let them, his wife and family and everyone who knew him in Georgia, know how much he meant and still does to us,” Brown said.

Hall added that the names of each Fairhope donor will be on the list when the check from Fairhope is presented later this fall. The scholarship will become active and the first recipient selected for the fall of 2012.

“We have to close out the account by Nov. 15 (2011),” he said. “And we hope it’s enough to put them over the goal for the endowment this year. The goal is $10,000 and they have about $7,000 so we would love to make the difference and show how much Fairhope cares.”

Compton, who suffers from some progressive cognitive problems, could not be interviewed. However, Brown and Hall said he is in otherwise fair health and still lives at home with his wife Audis in Fitzgerald, Ga.

Brown and Hall said the award is rightfully in both Joe and Audis Compton’s names. “The Comptons had a positive influence on many young people and we’re honored to be a part of this,” Brown said. “He and Audis continued working with students and athletes and we want give something back and help our classmates do the same if they would like,” said Hall. “It’s not just for former players.”

For more information, contact John Borom, 423-3317 or Ed Bishop, 928-8056. An account for the Fairhope chapter’s contribution is in place at Compass Bank. Checks should be made out to WGTC (West Georgia Technical College) Foundation North and may be mailed to Robert Hall, 209 Pecan Ave., Fairhope, Ala. 36532.

Compton played fullback and linebacker at the University of Alabama before accepting an assistant coaching job at Fitzgerald High. Fairhope was his first head coaching position where he left with an 18-2 record to return to Fitzgerald as head coach. He coached 18 more years in Georgia winning state titles at Fitzgerald and Thomson as well as compiling a successful career in North Carolina before returning to Fitzgerald to retire. His overall combined winning percentage for Alabama and Georgia was 72

percent (152-58-5). North Carolina records were not located. He also coached state championship teams in wrestling in Georgia and North Carolina.

To read more on Joe Compton and the 1959-60 Fairhope seasons, visit: http://www.baldwincountynow.com/articles/2009/09/02/sports/doc4a9dcff13f14e613187220.txt