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| GSCC News Coach Lockridge Begins 25th Year Gadsden, Ala. - Coach Bill Lockridge will begin his 25th year of coaching baseball on Saturday, April 12. The public is invited to attend the recognition ceremony that will begin at 12:45 p.m. prior to the conference double header with Jefferson State Community College. The games will be played at the Coy Armstrong Field on the Wallace Drive Campus of Gadsden State. Since he began his career at Gadsden State Community College, Coach Lockridge has recruited over 600 student athletes. “Success is not measured by academics and athletic achievements alone, but by preparing the student for career opportunities,“ stated Lockridge. When asked what philosophy he used during his 25 years of coaching, he remarked, “The best gift you can give another is a good example.” Coach Lockridge has enjoyed 658 career wins and coached five conference championships. He was awarded the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) Northern Division Coach of the Year for five years and the ACCC Coach of the Year in 1985. More than 80% of his former players have transferred to a four-year school, with 75% having signed scholarships with four-year schools, including Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt. Eleven former players are currently serving as head baseball coaches in Alabama high schools or colleges. During his coaching career six players have made National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American and seven former players have signed professional baseball contracts. Gadsden State Athletic Director Mike Cancilla said, “Coach Lockridge has been an inspiration to everyone in the department. His winning attitude and extreme knowledge of baseball will continue to steer our students in a positive direction.” |