While many enjoyed the Astros winning Game 7 of the World Series Wednesday night, there were many that enjoyed it with heavy hearts after learning that their coach, friend, and mentor Chuck Young had passed away earlier in the day.
Young, 76, was a longtime educator, but most remember him as the man who spent almost 30 years (1968-96) as the head baseball coach of the Bridge City Cardinals, winning many district titles, regional titles, and made a trip to the finals of the State Baseball Tournament in 1992.
I came into broadcasting when Coach Young was at BC and it took me a couple of years to realize that I was getting to cover baseball royalty. As the years have gone by I’ve learned much more about Coach Young from his players and his colleagues. I spoke with many of them Wednesday.
Retired coach and educator Terry Steubing told me the same thing many players repeated about coach. “Chuck’s one major rule to all his athletes and students was, “Do what’s right!” That was rule number one. Rule #2 was, don’t do anything to embarrass yourself, your school, or your parents. And Rule #3 was refer back to rule one.” Steubing added, “Chuck was all the reasons a guy coached. He made it fun, knew his stuff, had discipline and we even won a few games. Great mentor for coaches and athletes. Super guy. My best friend after my wife. “
Former player Jason Richards-
“Mark Twain once said ‘The two most important days of a man’s life is the day he is born, and the day he finds out why he was born.’ Coach Young was born to profoundly impact the lives of countless young men by teaching them the game of baseball. He used his incredible sense of humor, work ethic, and heart to model for us all what true integrity looked like. He taught us to compete in a way that brought honor to our school, family, and God and taught us how to handle success as well as failure. It was an honor and a privilege to play for Coach Young and I will be eternally grateful for his leadership, love, and legacy.”
LCM Baseball Coach Steve Griffith who played and coached against Coach Young-
“I rode to coaching school many years with Chuck so I could learn from him. We would sit a talk for hours and he never minded sharing. But at 8pm it was time for some buttermilk and vanilla wafers and off to bed for him. He taught many of us young fellows at that time many things. Upon his retirement, I immediately nominated him for the THSBCA Hall of Fame, which he was deservingly inducted into (2008). He was a one of the greatest men God has ever placed on this earth.”
Sam Moore, Sulphur baseball coach who also played and coached against Coach Young-
“One of the best baseball minds of all time. The thing that made Coach Young so successful was his coolness. Never let his team panic. He has had an impact on so many of us still coaching the game today. He will be greatly missed.”
Former player Ronnie Shugart, who coached the BC Little League 12’s to the Region Finals in 2009- “The reason I coach. Always wondered every game if he would be proud of the team I ran out on the field. More than just a baseball coach. Came to the mound to talk to me during a game. Wanted to know who I was asking to Prom. Never would raise his voice during a game. You made a mistake you got the stare. After the inning was over he would put his arm around you and ask what were you thinking? Not to demean you. He wanted to know so he could correct it. We gained another Baseball God today.”
Coach Young’s visitation will be 6-8 pm Thursday and the funeral 1 pm Friday at Carnes Funeral Home in Texas City.
-Gary Stelly, KOGT-
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