THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 12, 1995 TAG: 9511100210
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
In his 23 years at Edenton-Holmes High School, Robert Woodley has been through many ups and downs but he has always maintained the respect of his peers. That respect recently came to the surface when Woodley was named the North Carolina High School Athletic Association's Male Coach of the Year for the Eastern Region.
Woodley, who coaches basketball and baseball, said winning the award was a complete surprise, but area coaches have praised his work many times before the NCHSAA award.
``I guess that's because they beat me all the time,'' Woodley joked. ``I treat everybody like I want to be treated and I have a good rapport with fellow coaches and players. I try to respect everybody.''
Woodley said he's not sure how he won the award.
``I'm not sure how I was nominated. My name got on the ballot somehow,'' he said. ``I got a letter that said to go to the regional meeting in Ahoskie. I didn't want to go. I was quite honored and humble.''
The NCHSAA award is based on an overall contribution to high school athletics which fits Woodley to a T. Whether it's coaching the team, washing the uniforms, or mowing the grass, Woodley still believes that high school sports goes beyond wins and losses.
``Athletics is a lot like life - there's good and bad. Players and coaches learn many valuable lessons through athletics,'' he said. ``Many have stayed in school because of athletics. Many would not have made it without the discipline.''
Woodley, who is a physical education teacher at the high school, sees athletics as a vital part of the educational process.
``This is an extended education. I expect them to pay attention and listen and learn just like in the classroom,'' he said. ``I don't expect any more than a teacher expects in a classroom.''
When it comes to wins and losses, Woodley has been through it all in his 14 years as head basketball and baseball coach. He endured an 0-22 basketball season in 1990. Just two years later, the Aces were ranked No. 1 in the state at one time during the season.
``I had good kids that year (1990). I didn't have a whole lot of talented basketball players. But I didn't have one kid miss or come late to practice. It was not a bad year at all with attitudes,'' he said. ``I've had years when we've won a bunch and it's been more frustrating because of discipline problems. I want to win as much as anybody. But there's many more wins even if you lose.''
Another basketball season is about to get under way in Edenton. Practice has already begun and Woodley is already thinking about the overlap between basketball and baseball in the spring. At one time he coached football, too.
``It was tough. I was never home. I missed my son growing up in his early years,'' Woodley lamented. ``Now he's with me on the basketball team. All of this can't be possible without the support of family.'' by CNB