Chris Souder with former player Jacqueline Coleman at Thursday's ceremony after he was named a Kentucky Colonel by the lieutenant governor. (Photo by Les Nicholson)
Chris Souder was obviously a bit overwhelmed by all the attention on him even though he deserved it all.
Mercer County named its high school basketball gymnasium floor “Chris Souder Court” because of the enormous success he’s had. He had a 490-214 record as the girls head basketball coach from 1999-2018 that includes back to back state championships and five 12th Region titles. He spent the next six seasons at South Laurel where he won two 13th Region titles and went 136-63.
However, he’s back at Mercer now and Mercer officials unveiled the new court logo Tuesday night.
“This is very humbling and really hard to even describe my emotions right now,” said Souder. “I do wish everybody who played or coached with me or was part of the administration names could be on there. I know you are only as good as the people around you. I have been very blessed to have great people around me.”
He also praised his family for the sacrifices it made and the time it took him away from his wife.
“My son grew up in the gym and now my grandson is in the gym,” Souder said. “This is just a special night. This is my home and I am glad to be back. I had a scare this summer (in a boating accident) and I am blessed to be standing here. God is good.”
Many of Souder’s former players were present Tuesday night along with his current players. Souder also made it clear the focus will always be on winning state championships.
One of his former players at the ceremony was Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman, a 2000 Mercer graduate who went on to play at Centre College and coach basketball at various high schools.
She never hesitated about attending when Souder told her what was going to happen.
“He told me about this and I said we are going. We scheduled to make it happen,” Coleman, who presented Souder with a Kentucky Colonels certificate, said.
What is her favorite Souder memory?
“My favorite Chris Souder memory is when we won in the first round of the regional tournament against the number one seed Somerset my senior year (in 2000). We were all celebrating in the center of the floor afterwards because nobody thought we could win,” Coleman said. “That was kind of the beginning of this movement that has now grown into what you see here today at Mercer County.
Mercer County finished 19-9 in the 1999-2000 season and beat Somerset 56-55 before losing to Wayne County in the 12th Region semifinals.
Any bad Souder memories?
“A lot of running,” she laughed and said. “There was always a lot of running but it prepared me for college and life and everything else. He did a lot for me and a lot of others.”
One Response
Keep on wοrking, great job!