Due to the current coronavirus situation with all sports being shut down, there are a lot of coaches who had their chance to coach their senior athletes one last time cut short. ENC Sports Review would like to highlight some of these coaches since their season has hanged so dramatically. Today, we will highlight Rocky Mount Academy Softball Coach Chuck Braswell. We thank Chuck for taking the time to sit down with ENC Sports Review and answer these questions for us. We had fun learning more about him and we hope you will too.
How long have you been coaching?
I have coached for over 25 years.
What sports have you coached?
I have coached Baseball, Basketball, and softball.
Out of all the sports you have coached, which one do you enjoy the most?
Softball for sure
Has an athlete impacted you in an important way or taught you something that has helped shape you as a coach?
There have been several athletes who have impacted me. Especially the ones that teach me that this sport is still a game, designed to be fun.
What is your favorite memory of coaching and what is your least favorite?
Favorite: 2017 – In my first season as Head Softball Coach at Rocky Mount Academy, I inherited a team that had seen extremely limited success over the last several seasons. We barely squeezed into the playoffs as a 6 seed, then beat the 3 seed at their place in front of 200 fans (mostly theirs). This win, over a quality program, boasting 2 State titles in the previous 4 seasons, proved to all of us that we could be a competitor. This win put this team on the map, put us in motion and we haven’t looked back. Now we expect success.
Least: This is easy. The 2020 season, taken away from us by the Covid-19 Virus. With 4 College committed players on the roster: returning 4) All-State and 5) All –Conference players, including the 2019 Player of the Year. This was to be “Our Year” to win it all. Now we can only wait for next year.
If you could change one thing in your coaching career, what would it be and why?
I would probably go back and get a college degree in something, to broaden my ability to secure a higher level coaching job if I wanted to.
Who is someone you look up to and why?
I really like Dabo Swinney, Head Football Coach at Clemson. He is an intense worker, he’s down to earth, has a great sense of humor, and isn’t afraid to tell everyone that he is a Christian.
If you could go back 5 years and tell yourself something that you know now, what would it be?
Be kind – always. Be a leader in every way who leads by example. Be respectful and strive to get along with all your peers, faculty, the competitive coaches, umpires, and parents.
If someone wants to follow in your footsteps, what advice would you give them?
Stay two steps ahead of your players at all times. Have a practice plan, know the weather ahead of time, and always have a game plan for success. Continue to be a student of the game.
After the Coronoavirus pandemic is over, what is the first thing you are looking forward to that you can’t do now?
Getting back on the field with my team and seeing the smiles on their faces when they know they can play softball again!
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