Sept. 16, 2006

By George Starr, Lee Sports Information

Coach Jack Souther is 80 years young and still going strong. His 23 years (and counting) of service as a coach and teacher at Lee University (Tenn.) have not gone unnoticed.  On Thursday evening the university's intramural softball field was named in his honor. On Friday, a special luncheon saluted Souther and his family.

Jack has been a very large presence and a very important part of our athletic programs for 23 years," said Lee President Dr. Paul Conn.  "He came to Lee after serving as a public school superintendent in Ohio and was known as a real disciplinarian."
 
His 1984-85 women's basketball team won the National Christian College Association championship. Overall Souther's basketball teams posted a 10-year record of 217-131. "Jack made something out of nothing," added Dr. Conn. "We had very little scholarship money to work with, but he was a very serious basketball coach and I have many great memories of those teams and their success."
 
During the same period, talk began about Lee starting a women's softball team.  Souther stepped forward and was the program's first coach for the next three years.  In fact, Dr. Conn still has the softball from Lee's first softball win in his office.  It came in 1987 over Tennessee Wesleyan College.
 
Next came golf.  When the beloved and former Lee golf coach Dr. Stanley Butler passed away some 12 years ago, Souther raised his hand again and took over the Lee team.  "As far as I know, Jack is the only coach we've had that coached three different teams," said Dr. Conn.

Souther's golf teams now rank with the top squads in the NAIA.  He has taken three straight clubs to the NAIA National Tournament and some say his current squad could be his best.

"We had been planning to name a field in honor of Jack for some time," pointed out Dr. Conn.  When the new men's dorm (O'Bannon/Bowdle) was built and the softball field was moved to its current location in front of the facility, an intramural field was constructed on the same plot of land.

Dr. Conn and the late Dale Goff talked about naming the field for Souther as early as last fall.  The action was delayed with the sudden passing of Goff, but was approved by the Lee Board of Director over the summer. 

"From Day 1 of my presidency, Jack has always been an encourager to me," added Dr. Conn. "He's been through the war as a teacher, administrator and coach.  He has helped make Lee a better place for me and hundreds of other students." 

Lee Athletic Director Larry Carpenter called Souther one of the most loyal and hardest workers on his staff.  "Any time we host an event, he's always the first to volunteer and ask where he can help. I can't think of any person being more deserving of this honor." 

Carpenter noted that Souther's passion and love for sports and young people is still very much alive.  "He came into my office three years ago and told me how much he wanted his golfers to qualify for the national tournament.  His club did make the tournament and have been back the past two years.  They are certainly capable of making the national field for a fourth straight year."

Dr. Conn and Carpenter singled out the coach's wife, Jean.  "She has always been there with him," stressed Carpenter.  "During games, there was little doubt who Jean and her friends were supporting," said Dr. Conn with a smile. 

Souther choked back the tears as he spoke about his days at Lee.  "I've done a lot of different things in my life, but marrying my wife, Jean, and coming to Lee 23 years ago were the best choices.  Lee is a special place. This is the greatest job I've ever had.  Just seeing all those young people playing on a field named after me is great.  I can't think of a better honor." 

As the days slip by, the name of Coach Jack Souther will continue to hang over the scoreboard.  And don't be surprised if Dr. Conn and the Board decide to add another sport in the near future and Souther steps forward and accepts one more challenge.  After all, he's still a very young and active 80!