As a coach, you want to win. More than your players, in most instances.
But as an adult, we have to think about more important things. We need to nurture, support, love, and help kids as they are going through there life journey. Coaches teach, parent, and show them we care. Coach Darrel Melvin was that man. Coach Melvin led Clarkton School of Discovery as a multi-sport coach for more than 25 years. Football, basketball, and baseball were his most noted teams, and a coach, he probably set a lot of records.
The only problem is that it was junior high. Nobody keeps up with records in the state for that.
It might be time to start.
As a coach, Melvin won 45 games in a row in three different seasons in baseball in the 90’s, 2006-09, and 2011-2015.
He was a winner in football and basketball as well, going undefeated in both sports and collecting multiple conference championship. In the community, he was heavily involved in the church and the town of Clarkton.
He had other duties before and after games – let’s not forget mowing grass, fertilizing, painting lines, sweeping gym floors, carrying kids home, etc. Those go with the territory.
Coach Darrel Melvin’s accomplishments will still be here for generations to see at Circle H Thrift Store, 80 East Green St., Clarkton.
Circle H is not your usual thrift store. It’s a place where people gather to talk. Joe Hardee, the owner, stated that he wants his business to have the old barber shop feel. Free coffee is available whenever the doors are open. Hardee frequently grills on the sidewalk in front of the store, offering hot dogs and hamburgers to customers and passersby alike.
Melvin’s photographs, game balls and other memorabilia ended up at the store after Melvin’s death in February. Hardee stated that the Melvin family contacted him, hoping to preserve the collection. The Melvins made large donations of the coach’s items to the Habitat for Humanity and other charitable groups, but did know what to do with these items. They had great value, Hardee said, but not monetarily. That’s when they came to Hardee at Circle H.
Hardee makes no bones about not being a big sports enthusiast, but he loves his community and its history. Hardee said he didn’t want to part with the collection, so he put up a display in his store to honor Coach Melvin. That display is on exhibit at his store. He emphasized that fans of the longtime coach are welcome to come by and see the display, even if they aren’t shopping.
For those who loved Coach Melvin, it’s a great way to honor a great coach. For players, fellow teachers, and coaches, go see what Darrel Melvin accomplished: the display probably will stir some great memories.
