Thanks Jeff!

(#30)

Here are some kind words from Jeff McClaskey, one of my great players at Magnolia and Hinds, who went on to an outstanding coaching career, mostly at Northwest Rankin where the baseball stadium he built is named in his honor.

This was included, at his request, in a newspaper article about his retirement from coaching after 34 years.

“When I got the head baseball job at Northwest Rankin in 1989, I called two men. The first was my dad because he was always proud of me and I respected him so much.

The second was Rick Clarke. He coached me for three years at Magnolia Academy and one year at Hinds CC. I had and still do have so much respect for him. He taught me about hard work, being a team player and hard nose playing. He took so much pride in the facility at Magnolia where we played.

I believe I coached the same way he did over my 34 years. Now that I am retired, I think about the things we did and what he taught me. I owe him a lot of my personality. I considered my coaching the old school way. This might not be the way of today’s coaching, but I am glad I coached that way for most of my career.

He told me when I got the job, to now go and out-work everybody. I think for the most part, that’s what we did at NWR.

Thank you Rick Clarke, a good friend and a better man.“

Note: Old coaches will take compliments anytime the can get them. Thanks Jeff and congrats on a job well done; first class!

I appreciate him dying his hair white in my honor. 🙂