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Bill Lockridge is returning to begin his 24th year as the Cardinals baseball coach. During his tenure at Gadsden State
he has the privilege to have coached numerous ACCC All-State players, several All-Americans and had a number of
players whom have signed professionally.
Coach Lockridge coached his 600th win this past season and is the winningest coach at Gadsden State in any
sport. Bill is also among the top 35 winningest Junior and Community College coaches in the country. Coach
Lockridge is the dean of Alabama Community Baseball coaches having been head coach at Gadsden State since 1983.
Bill is a native of Gadsden being a graduate of Gadsden High School. He also attended Brewton-Parker Junior
College where played outfield and pitched. The baseball team from south Georgia was ranked 2nd in the nation going
into post season play his sophomore year, but was upset in the state tournament. Several members of that team
were drafted by professional baseball teams. The remaining sophomores received scholarships to four year schools.
Bill then played and graduated from Birmingham Southern College. After two years of playing on NAIA top ranked
teams at Southern, Bill attended and received his Master’s Degree from Jacksonville State University. He coached
some at the high school level, but wanted to get back to college baseball. In June of 1983, Coach Lockridge
started his tenure at Gadsden State.
During his coaching tenure at Gadsden State the Cardinals have won 7 conference titles and one state title. Bill has
been named ‘Coach of the Year’ seven times.
Along with coaching, Bill is now retired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company where he also worked for 30 years. Coach
Lockridge also teaches in the Physical Education department at Gadsden State.
Bill is married to the former Brenda Ware and they have five children.
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Chuck Medders is in his 10th year assisting Bill Lockridge at Gadsden State Community College. Coach Medders has had
the privilege of being a part of the Cardinals baseball program during Coach Lockridge’s 400th, 500th, and 600th wins.
Chuck is a native of Gadsden and graduated from Gadsden High School in 1973. He excelled in football and baseball in high school. He
had scholarship offers in both sports and elected to play baseball here at Gadsden State. Chuck was named MVP his sophomore
year while playing shortstop for the Cardinals. He signed with Jacksonville State University and later transferred to Birmingham
Southern College. Chuck played two years for BSC, and received his degree from Birmingham Southern in1978. While playing for
Birmingham Southern, Chuck had two teammates Mark Obradovich and Len Mahler whose sons have played for Gadsden State. Mark
Obradovich Jr (2002), Mike Obradovich (2005&2006), and Marc Mahler (2006&2007)
Chuck is married to the former Dana Lee. They have three children: Scott, Matt, and Carole Ann. Scott played tennis
for Gadsden State in 2004 and 2005, and is now attending Jacksonville State. Matt is attending Auburn University and
Carole Ann is at Southside High School.
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