By By Rob Sigler
June 20, 2001
The fire and desire to coach that has burned in Mac Barnes for over 40 years as a player and a coach has been rekindled. That was certainly evident Monday when Barnes addressed the Meridian Rotary Club during their weekly meeting.
Barnes, as most know, recently returned to the coaching ranks when he accepted the position of football coach and principal at Lamar School after a Hall of Fame career as Meridian mentor.
The fact that leaving his alma mater to go into the private school coaching fraternity hasn't set well with some isn't totally lost on Barnes, but he hopes this move will help bring a sense of joining the two schools and communities together instead of driving them apart.
I couldn't agree more.
Hole-in-ones rolling in: Hole-in-ones must be a pretty common occurrence around these parts. For the second straight day, we received another single shot that found the cup.
Daniel Whitehead holed the 17th-hole at Northwood from 140 yards out using an 8-iron Monday. His playing partner, Tommy Robinson, witnessed the accomplishment.
A couple of weeks ago, Tom Morris also completed the feat at Northwood.
EMCC to recognize coach: Keyes Currie is not just the name of the gym at East Mississippi Community College, but actually belongs to the man who coached there for 38 years.
For this, a reunion honoring Coach Currie will be held June 30 at 10 a.m. in the East Room of the EMCC cafeteria. All former players, managers and assistant coaches are invited to attend.
For more info, contact Johnson at 662-476-5060 or 662-456-2628.
Scarbrough earns honor: Tyler Scarbrough, a third baseman at Meridian Community College, was recently named All-American by the National Junior College Athletic Association.
It's quite an honor, considering only two juco players from Mississippi were selected.
Ripken era ends: Speaking of baseball, it wouldn't be right not to mention the legendary Cal Ripken, Jr., deciding to hang up his cleats after a stellar career.
It's a sad day, but it's also a day that couldn't come soon enough for the Iron Horse, who has been showing signs of rust the last couple of seasons.
The soon-to-be 41 year old Baltimore Orioles third baseman has been on the disabled list with minor ailments almost as much as he has been on the field.
Legends should be remembered for who they were, not what they were in the latter stages of their career.