Winter weather photos
Northeastern vs. West Liberty-Salem
House destroyed in fire
North boys basketball coach Eddie Ford stepping down
The 54-year-old will remain a physical education teacher at Springfield High School.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
SPRINGFIELD — The chance to travel somewhere other than a gymnasium during winter break appeals to Eddie Ford.
Ford, North's head boys basketball coach since 1989, will retire from coaching when this season is over. His retirement ends a career he began in 1975 at Clark Technical College (now Clark State Community College).
North basketball coach Eddie Ford has been coaching the squad since 1989. He is one of only two head coaches in the 48-year history of the boys basketball program at North. With North and South merging in September, Ford will step down from coaching but will remain a physical education teacher at the new Springfield High School."I want to go somewhere warm during the winter, maybe go to a (college football) bowl game or something like that," Ford said. "Just something different during the winter that I've never done."
When the season ends, Ford will close down North's boys basketball program as it prepares to merge with South in September. Ford, 54, will remain a physical education teacher at Springfield High School.
"This is a good time for me to go out," Ford said. "Because of the merger it gives the system a new, fresh start. That way it will be an easier transition with the new school coming up. I think it was just the right time."
In North's 48-year history, only two men have led the boys basketball program: Don Henderson (1960-89) and Ford (1989-2008).
"I think that's special," Ford said. "I like that distinction."
Through Tuesday, Ford's record as the Panthers' head coach was 220-201. His teams won three Western Ohio League titles (1992, '93, '95) and advanced to the 1995 and 1997 Division I state tournaments.
Today will officially be "Eddie Ford Day" in Springfield.
C
ontact this reporter at (937) 328-0366 or bplasters@coxohio.com.
Eddie Ford?s varsity record at North
1989-90 5-16
90-91 10-12
91-92 14-8
92-93 19-4
93-94 8-14
94-95 24-2*
95-96 13-9
96-97 19-7*
97-98 16-7
98-99 17-5
99-00 9-13
00-01 12-9
01-02 7-14
02-03 9-12
03-04 17-6
04-05 11-11
05-06 9-13
06-07 0-21
07-08 1-18^
Total 220-201
* Division I state semifinalist
^ Season incomplete
