Charleston coaching legend Merv Baker died Saturday night.
A winner of nearly every honor an Illinois high school coach and athletic director could win, Baker compiled a 322-148 record in basketball and a 97-33-9 mark in football coaching from 1953 through ’70.
But he was known for much more than that.
“What a love for youth and for athletics,” said Charleston football coach Brian Halsey, who was an athlete when Baker was the school’s athletic director. “Here’s a guy who coached three sports and in addition to that, my first experience with Coach Baker was in T-ball, the organization of minor leagues and on up.
“Good family man, an excellent role model. I looked forward to seeing him at school when I was a student and I loved having him come out and talk to our team when I was a player and a coach. Every time you mention his name my left elbow twinges a little bit from where he squeezed it when he talked to you. A True Trojan.”
For more reactions about Baker see Monday’s JG/T-C.
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johndeerelover wrote on Oct 18, 2009 5:24 PM:
He never knew a stranger everyone knew and respected him so much. He left a great legacy behind. "