The Coach's Corner SCPS Wall of Fame was recently introduced as a tribute to the Savannah Christian Preparatory School community. Unveiled on May 23, 2024, this wall commemorates the contributions of individuals who have impacted the school's history beyond accomplishments.
The idea for this display arose from owner John Hendersons' appreciation and fond memories of his time at Savannah Christian. During an April gala event, a unique "PADDLE" honoring the school caught his eye.
"It inspired me to create the Wall of Fame at Coach's Corner," said Henderson. "I shared my idea to secure the "PADDLE" with my friend and a SCPS alum, Eddie Wilson, which led to a bidding war during the auction night."
Henderson vividly recalled the fierce competition he faced in acquiring the "PADDLE" for inclusion on the Wall of Fame at Coaches Corner.
"I found myself at James Griffin's racetrack struggling with cell phone reception while talking with Eddie Wilson to coordinate bids. The auction dragged on for more than two hours, with the bids rising," stated John. "Thanks to Eddie and James' assistance, we eventually emerged victorious with the winning bid for the "PADDLE."
Henderson's vision extended beyond securing the "PADDLE." He aimed to dedicate it to the "Wall of Fame." The SCPS Wall of Fame would be for individuals who often go unnoticed but play vital roles. The Wall of Fame was envisioned to not just honor SCPS athletes but also celebrate coaches, administrators, band members, staff, and anyone who had left a meaningful mark on Savannah Christian.
The dedication ceremony held at Coaches Corner turned out to be quite an event, drawing over a hundred attendees who reunited with classmates and friends from their alma mater after years apart. Henderson expressed that the event marked the initiation of a tradition at Coach's Corner where a new honoree would be inducted monthly based on community nominations. The enthusiastic response underscored the love and respect that the community holds for SCPS heroes.
The SCPS Wall of Fame is designed to foster bonds within the Savannah Christian community. Henderson emphasized the importance of acknowledging the contributions of all members, whether they are groundskeepers, bus drivers, or cafeteria cooks. The wall symbolizes the united effort that makes SCPS genuinely exceptional. A digital photo frame is posted and will continuously display images and videos of the inductees to honor their legacies.
"We hope this project will encourage more SCPS alumni to reconnect with the school no matter where they are, " Henderson said.
Nominating deserving individuals is easy; anyone can submit nominations through the Coaches Corner Facebook page or in person at the restaurant. The objective is to preserve Savannah Christians' essence by honoring its history and the individuals who contributed to its success.
The SCPS Wall of Fame at Coach's Corner is more than a tribute; it represents a celebration of a community that has generously supported its members. Henderson stated, "Moving forward we invite everyone to engage, nominate, and commemorate the individuals who have contributed to shaping Savannah Christian Preparatory School into the institution it is today."
The "Wall of Fame" was dedicated to none other than Coach Doyle Kelley.
Henderson mentioned that the entire family was present. Bo Kelley, Coach Kelly's wife, approved the Wall of Fame to be dedicated Coach Kelley . Coach Kelley died on September 30, 2016, due to complications related to his diagnosis of AML. In 1973, he started his career at Savannah Christian Preparatory School, where he served as the head basketball coach, assistant football coach, and golf coach and eventually took on the athletic director role. He held the high school principal position for 14 years until retiring in 2011.
Coach Kelley was a mentor to students and a reliable support system for all, faculty, administrators, and all who worked at SCPS; he significantly impacted
numerous students and athletes during his 38-year teaching, coaching, and administrator roles. Kelley had extraordinary career accomplishments: As a head basketball coach, he had 427 wins. During his time at Savannah Christian, he was part of 18 state championships. John concluded the conversation by talking about Coach Kelley being the first inductee.
"Coach Kelley embodies the "Wall of Fame" values, and it is an honor to kick off this journey with a dediction of the SCPS Wall of Fame because of what he stood for and his dedication to SCPS," said Henderson. "We, the committee, aim for the SCPS community to play a role in this tradition, come visit the wall, nominate a classmate, freinds, contributors the the SCPS community, and remember that every day is a great day to be a Raider!" The first inductee lived by the motto and was known as the "Raider Man."
The first inductee was Mr. Alvin Carter, known as "the Raider Man." Mr. Carter 
was an SCPS icon, a parent of two SCPS alum sons, and is best known for his pre-game cheers. He can always be seen at SCPS events. John Henderson said, "He was a devoted fan and supporter of Savannah Christian Preparatory School. Carter was always seen at Raider events, whether it be school functions or athletic events rain of shine." Also, the "Raider Man" was known to donate in many different ways whether it be sports programs for sporting events or other events through the family business, Spanish Moss Printing.
PHOTO CREDIT: Coach's Corner and SMN
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