This is an opinion article.
If you have followed high school sports in Alabama for a while, you probably know the name Rubin Grant.
Grant has written sports stories at the Lycée for Birmingham Post-Herald for 25 years and has continued to write in recent years as an independent journalist.
Rubin was a mentor for me.
More than that, he was a friend.
He died unexpectedly earlier this week at the age of 67.
His stories have been written with real honesty and a desire to positively highlight young people in a world that can too often be difficult, cruel and critical for any age.
His stories affected people.
I witnessed this first hand on a humorous occasion.
Rubin and I were together three decades ago, both covering a regional basketball tournament in Jacksonville State. The Altamont boys played and led large. I don’t remember the opponent.
For a dead time, one of Altamont’s boys headed for Press Row and spoke to Rubin. He said, “Mr. Grant, I really admire your work. ”
I thought: “Wow. Now, it’s really something. A young man in the middle of a basketball match taking the time to handle a high school writer and say something nice.”
It was a testimony of Rubin and not just his work. Even more, it testified to the person that people knew behind the computer.
History took an almost immediately humorous turn, but not for Altamont. The opponent started a big score race and finally won the match when I disappear if I remember correctly.
I made sure to frequently recall Rubin during the match that everything changed after being complimented.
“10-0 run since he admired your work,” I said.
“17-2 since admiration”, I stood up.
It has become a joke that we have shared for many years, often greeting with: “I admire your work.”
Rubin was much more than a great journalist. He was also an approved Baptist Minister who is not afraid to share the Gospel or his love for Jesus with anyone he met. I received his weekly devotions and I knew each word.
Rubin and I have not talked much in recent years, but he sent me a text last week to congratulate me to have won the Herby Kirby Prize and express his condolences for my granddaughter. He told me that he had encountered health problems in September and missed my column on the death of Baby Maxi. Again, as always, he gave encouragement.
“It is where we want to be-with Jesus,” he wrote to me.
I did not know that less than two weeks later, Rubin would also be with Jesus. I am comforted to know that his life was incredibly well lived and is rewarded in the sky even if I write this column.
After his initial text, Rubin returned with another thought.
“And yes, I admire your work.”
This is hitting different at the moment.
Stay easy, my friend. Thank you for the countless lives you have affected through your journalism, through your ministries and through your friendship.
New leader for Gators
Satsuma promoted Thomas James to direct his university baseball program. The school announced the news on social networks earlier this week.
James, a former player from the Mobile University, has spent the last two years as an assistant coach in Satsuma.
“I am excited and blessed for this opportunity to continue the success that this program has traditionally seen,” James said in a statement. “Continuing a culture of excellence is an absolute priority. I am delighted to develop these students athletes in great young men on and off the field. We will endeavor to hold a standard that our athlete students will carry with them in all aspects of their lives. ”
Other coach news
Earlier this week, Foley High named Metta Christensen As the first female sports director of the school. Christensen replaces Derric Scott in the role. Scott remains the school coach of school football. Baldwin County schools separated the roles from football coach and the announcement in two positions. Christensen was recently the Lions volleyball coach and assistant announcement. She is a member of the Foley High School sports temple and the Temple of Sports Recommended Sports in Baldwin County.
Justin Whitett is the new football coach at Washington County High.
Ronnie Driver Was appointed boys’ basketball coach to Oakman High.
Leeds hired John London As a girl’s basketball coach.
Former St. Paul Star Jared Holloway joined Spanish football staff as a tight end coach.
Former Gordo head coach Gus Smith joined Daphne High football staff to train the seconds.
Former player Jett Smith returned to Wellborn as an assistant football coach. The 2021 graduate will also be an assistant track coach.
Oak Mountain named Keegan McQueen As a football coach for the new boys from the school.
Last chance
The football coaches today is the deadline for filling out the survey that we sent two weeks ago. Thank you to everyone who has already completed it.
If you are a football coach in Alabama and you have not received it, send me an email today at bthomas@al.com, and I will have one.
May God continue to bless you all.
Thought for the week
“Faith is a deliberate confidence in the character of God whose manners you do not understand.” – Oswald Chambers.
Ben Thomas is the director of high school director at Al.com. He was appointed one of the 50 legends of the Alabama Sports Writers Association. Follow it on Twitter at @benthomaspreps or send it an email to bthomas@al.com.