James C. Cox,Retired Baldwin County High School Principal and Retired Baldwin County School System Division Superintendent,

Bay Minette

Dear Editor,

Recently, I attended a reception in honor of former Baldwin County High School coach Lyle Underwood. Underwood was a highly successful football coach who coached the Tigers football team for 14 years (1966-80).

The reception was sponsored by some former players and friends of Underwood’s. The purpose was to honor Lyle’s recent induction into the Alabama High School Coaches Hall of Fame and his many years of service4 to Baldwin County High. The reception was held at the Ricky Rhodes Civic Center, Bay Minette.

Lyle Underwood is a former colleague and has been a friend for 41 years. After the closing of the former Douglasville High School from court-ordered integration in 1970, the late coach Herbert Ellis and I joined the coaching staff of Lyle Underwood. Mixed emotions turned to jubilation after being welcomed by a friendly acceptance from Underwood and his staff, Joe Hendrickson, Charles Pridgeon and the late Lowell James. Lyle is a man of great integrity, humbleness and fairness. I cherish the many years we coached together. But above all, I cherish our 41 years of friendship.

Finally, I trust that the decision-makers will see fit to name an athletic complex/building on the campus of Baldwin County High School in hon or of a man who contributed so much to the athletic growth and progress at Baldwin County High. In my opinion, coach Lyle Underwood is very deserving of this honor.