– Ann Beckett/Tribune-Courier || (Above) Pitcher Dakota Woodruff spent some on the mound in both games of the double header with CCA.

Reception held for coach Howard Beth

Former players,
faculty and friends
turn out to honor
coaching legend


By Ann Beckett
Tribune-Courier Sports
sports@tribunecourier.com

MARSHALL COUNTY – Coach Howard Beth was honored at a reception Sunday at Marshall County High School for his 30 years as head coach of the Lady Marshals.

When talking of Beth’s 793 wins and only 150 losses Superintendent Trent Lovett said, “We may never realize what Howard Beth has done for this county. He revolutionized girl’s basketball in the state of Kentucky.”

Lovett also said that since the gym has been built on the Marshall County campus, Coach Beth has been the girls coach and has been at every girl’s varsity game that has been played in Reed Conder Gymnasium.

“Coach Beth is a legend,” said MCHS Principal Amy Waggoner. “Basketball won’t be the same without Coach Beth.”

Many of Coach Beth’s former and current ball players were in attendance including St. Mary girls head coach Staci Averill. Averill remembered when Coach Beth signed her yearbook reading what he had written saying he ended it with, “Hard work will be involved if it is worthwhile.”

“Coach Beth singlehandedly put Marshall County basketball on the map,” said Averill. “He is the reason I am coaching today.”

Athletic Director Jeff Stokes presented Ann Beth with a gift in appreciation of her support over the 30 years that her husband was the Lady Marshals head coach saying, “The one thing that always stood out to me about Ann was the fact that she was always so complimentary towards the other teams that the Lady Marshals were playing and always greeted you with a smile.”

Stokes also presented Coach Beth with a watch with an inscription on the back.

Backboard Club President Tim Hawkins, Treasurer Bonnie Rose and Secretary Paula Bell presented Coach Beth with a crystal basketball. Bonnie Rose, also one of the Krazy Ladies said, “Of the 943 games that Coach Beth has coached I think the Krazy Ladies have been there for 925 of them.”
Rose also reminisced about the “sea of orange” that was often talked about and recognized around the state.

Coach Beth addressing the crowd said in 1974 he was working at the plant and thought life was pretty great. Then he was approached by the boys head coach Rick Leeper who asked him if he would like to be an assistant boys coach. Four years later Beth became the Lady Marshals head basketball coach.

“The pay was going to be half of what I made at the plant,” said Beth. “But it was the greatest decision I have ever made, next to marrying Ann.”

Coach Beth also thanked Reed Conder, who was in attendance, for the opportunity he gave him as a young coach.

Beth summed up coaching by saying, “Coaching takes you from the highest highs to the lowest lows.” The best thing about coaching according to Beth is the five minutes after a win before you have to start worrying about the next game.

“Working with the kids and watching them develop is another thing I loved most about coaching,” said Beth.

Beth said he could only think of two things that he considers bad about his coaching years and that was watching a player get hurt and the number of people that have passed away since he started coaching that were of great support to him.

Beth also spoke of Marshall County’s program as “a basketball program of pride, class and tradition.”

When talking about the pressure a coach feels to win, Beth fondly remembered a time in 1984 after going undefeated and before the state championship final, Principal Bobby Miller came to him and said, “Howard, you’ve had a great year whether you win or lose this game.”

Beth said that statement really meant a lot to him.

Beth became emotional when thanking his family for all the support they have given him through the years as head coach.

Master of Ceremonies and WCBL play-by-play announcer for Lady Marshal games Jeremy Rose said he remembered a few years ago when the Lady Marshals were on an 18 or 19 game win streak. Their margins of victory were starting to get smaller and he asked Coach Beth on air if he thought it might be okay to lose one of those games to regain focus. Rose said Coach Beth looked at him and said, “Jeremy, I don’t ever want to lose.”