Published: July 08, 2009 10:38 pm      

Former Graham coach Carlock inducted into national hall of fame

BLUEFIELD — Glynn Carlock, Sr., who won 244 games and two state championships from 1973-2004 at Graham High School, has been chosen to the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

According to Carlock’s son, Glynn, Jr., his father was one of 37 inductees from 23 states, including the lone representative from Virginia. The family has received an engraved crystal trophy from the organization.

“My dad dedicated his life to high school athletics and coaching young kids,” Carlock, Jr. said. “He didn’t do all this for this recognition, he did it because he loved kids, loved to work with the young kids, and he enjoyed it to the end.”

The NHSACA held its annual convention on June 23 in Minneapolis. Carlock said he understood that Hampton High School football coach Mike Smith was instrumental in making his honor possible.

Carlock, Sr., — who died in August of 2005 — was the head coach at Graham starting in 1973, winning 67 percent of his games with a 244-119-1 mark over the next 32 years.

Graham won Group AA, Division 3 state titles in 1989 and 1995, and were runner-ups in 2001. The G-Men also posted 10-0 regular seasons under Carlock in 1981 and 1990, and reached double figures in victories seven different times.

His son, currently the boys basketball coach at Graham, said his father would deflect any recognition that he would receive.

“He’s been an inspiration to thousands of athletes that he’s coached,” Carlock, Jr. said. “He would truthfully share this spotlight, he would say it was due of the fact that he was surrounded by good people to work with, good people to help and great kids to coach.”

Carlock, who joins other area coaches in earning this national honor — including Smith, Phil Robbins of Powell Valley in Big Stone Gap, Va., and Norm Lineberry of Radford — has been in the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame for many years.

Carlock, Jr., added that the Carlock family is certainly appreciative of this award.

“The Virginia High School League Hall of Fame honor, that was probably more recognized on a state level,” he said. “This honor is a national award. It is truly a prestigious honor to not only be inducted in the Hall of Fame, but just to be nominated.

“It’s quite an honor. Myself and my family, we’re very proud of him.”