Last Wednesday, we reported that two-time NFCA National Coach of the Year Monte Sherrill would be stepping down at Alexander Central High of Taylorsville, N.C. to take the head softball coaching position at Pfeiffer University (also in North Carolina).

Sherrill had an amazing high school run: he won 10 state championships at the 4A (highest level) including eight at Central. His overall coaching record was 753-60 for a .926 win percentage and his 2014 team went 33-0 and finished No. 1 according to USA Today.

Perhaps his most proud accomplishment was that 61 of his former players received softball scholarships to play at the next level including his daughters Bailey (2014 grad) and Vada (2015), who both will play for him at Pfeiffer.

Coach Sherrill sat down and wrote down his thoughts about his softball career at the high school level…

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As I sit here today, I wonder where in the world the last 26 seasons have gone. Man, what a great ride!

Looking back at the first teams I had, starting with Traci Carrigan Fox, I wonder how those players ever survived those practices.

Danny Dyson and I started at JC Park and it was USMC boot camp all over again.  The foundation of our program now had set its teeth in those practices of 1989 and we are bearing the fruits even today.

AC softball has never been about finesse, but about out-working, out-playing and being more disciplined than the others.

Through the years of maturation and seasoning, I feel that my ability to see the talent and develop it has increased 10-fold.  I am ever striving to be the best coach in strategy and technique.  I will out-work any coach to get better on a daily basis, striving to keep the theme of improving one percent better everyday.

I grew up here in North Carolina poor and with a severely mentally handicapped brother.  I had a lot of external motivation and figured the only way I could compete with my peers was to give 100 percent on each play.

I gave my all every day and identified with hard work, crazy hustle and a passion to win.

My sports idol was Pete Rose.

At times, my drive has needed to be tempered, but I had an intense burn to be the best coach and, in turn, produce the very best teams.  I owe so much of the success over the years to a group of highly dedicated players and assistant coaches.

Our players have given their all in every practice.  I am so proud of the kids who have made this world a better place because of their foundation as an AC softball player.

Our players respect the flag and all the women and men that served to protect its values.

When you really get down to the nuts and bolts of what the last 26 years are about, it has nothing to do with ball.

Sure, we have a lot to be proud of: we had the greatest softball streak in our state’s history, we have built our field into the nation’s best, our GPA was tops in the country and we finished as National Champions with success unparalleled in winning percentage.

But it’s about being prepared every day, never having an off day and when it’s not a good day, making it one.

It’s been about striving to be the best as an individual, but never being above the team.

It’s about doing your job regardless of whether you like it or not, and doing it to the very best of your ability with great passion.  I love my players but they have not always liked me.  My job was to be their leader and push them to be their best.

I owe so much to this county, my parents, and my wife Becky.   AC is known for furniture, textiles, tobacco, apples and it’s unique tight- knit community.

I have always tried to have our program represent the county and be a sense of pride in all of us.

I hear daily from AC people around the nation when they see the USA Today every Thursday.  There it is: Alexander Central, Taylorsville, N.C.

Central Park is the hub of all this activity.  It has been my home away from home. The Lord has blessed me and I give him all the credit.

I am glad I serve a Lord who sees all my faults and still accepts me and forgives me.

The wins on the field have been many, but I know my greatest victory was accepting Jesus as my Savior.

— Monte Sherrill