SMALL TOWN GRADUATION-NOW WHAT?

It was early May in 1959 and summer was fast approaching. There remained one last major obstacle to accomplish in my twelve year climb in education, graduation.

My Senior year there was a grand total of seventy-two grads. At the time I could not speak for the other seventy-one but for me I had no idea what the future held. On graduation night as the principal called my name to receive my diploma it was likened to falling into an abyss. The days of being a pretty good athlete, somewhat popular, and lot’s of friends was now in the rear view mirror. Not being one of the sharper knives in the drawer major uncertainty loomed heavily for my future.

Being a single A high school with a total enrollment of approximately two hundred students from the 9th. through the 12th. did not offer guidance counselors to prepare you for the next chapter in your life. We were not subjected to college prep courses, S.A.T,’s, or employment opportunities. At the time in my life I think none of that would have mattered. Cotton mill here I come.

My mentor with every positive accolade I could list was my high school coach. After graduation he talked me into playing American Legion baseball with Elizabethtown N.C. Somewhere in the scheme of things he failed to inform me that one of our opponents would be Wilmington’s American Legion 10. One of the strongest teams in N.C. lead by All-State everything Roman Gabriel. Gab went on to stardom at N.C. State and NFL quarterback for the Rams and Eagles. He was a starting pitcher at 6’4″, 225 lbs. Need I say more.

Long story short, as bad as they whipped us that night ( as the old timers in Bladen Co. would say to a hitter, hit it where they ain’t.) I was able to scratch out two hits and a couple of runs batted in. As I was leaving the dressing room that night I was approached by a portly man with his hand out stretched. ” I am Earl Smith assistant baseball coach at East Carolina ( at the time he was also the head basketball coach as well) and Coach Mallory and I would like for you to come for a tryout and visit the campus”.

Thirty days later after a visit, an S.A.T., and college application, I received a partial scholarship to attend E.C.C to play baseball. Jaws were dropping in my family, mine being the largest. In my old age I sometimes wonder if I had not had a good showing against one of the premier teams in the South where would my “now what” have taken me.

Be safe.