A Coach’s Legacy: The Life and Impact of Harold Ellis
Published 4:50 pm Thursday, November 14, 2024
Elizabethton coaches Hack Hyder, left, and Harold Ellis, right.
Coach Harold Ellis.
Harold Ellis coached youth teams.
Harold Ellis was a standout in both basketball and baseball in high school.
Harold Ellis.
Elizabethton’s Harold Ellis goes for a rebound.
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By C.Y. Peters
Coach Harold Ellis was more than just a coach; he was a mentor, a teacher, and a beacon of hope for many young athletes. His sudden passing at age 49 in 2001 left a void in the community that still resonates today. Born to Roy and Gwina Ellis, Harold was a man of faith, commitment, and excellence. As a deacon, trustee, and Sunday school teacher at Fairview Baptist Church, he embodied the principles he taught both on and off the field. His life was a testament to dedication, perseverance, and the power of belief.
Ellis’s journey as an athlete began at Elizabethton High School, where he quickly made a name for himself. A standout in both basketball and baseball, he earned All-Big 7 team honors and was named All-Conference in both sports. His expertise on the baseball diamond as a third baseman was matched only by his skill on the basketball court. These achievements were a precursor to his later success at ETSU, where he was part of a semi-pro team that won a national title in 1971 with the Milligan Roadrunners. Among his teammates were local legends like Jimmy Ensor, Danny Smith, Bud Maines, and fellow coach Willie Church. Ellis had 19 years of teaching experience, all of those in the ECS, teaching seventh-grade life science at T.A. Dugger Junior High School. He received two bachelor’s degrees from ETSU and was a four-year starter on the baseball team at ETSU. Harold was also a starter on the Biltmore slow-pitch softball team, which he led to the championship, winning three games in one night in 1975.
As a coach and science teacher at T.A. Dugger Junior High, Harold Ellis sought the best in every student, pushing them to achieve their full potential. He believed in hard work, discipline, and the pursuit of excellence—values he instilled in every player who crossed his path. Former players remember him not just for his knowledge of the game but for his ability to inspire and challenge them in ways that would impact their lives long after they left the court or field.
One such player was Michael White, who vividly recalls the day he learned he hadn’t made the eighth-grade basketball team. Rushing to Coach Ellis’s classroom in tears, White found a mentor who didn’t coddle him but instead laid out the reality of the situation: he needed to work harder. The tough love White received that day became a turning point in his life. Determined to prove himself, White dedicated himself to improving his skills. By the time he reached high school, his hard work had paid off, and he earned a spot as a starter on the varsity baseball team, coached by none other than Harold Ellis. White would go on to receive a scholarship to play baseball at Milligan College, a testament to the impact Coach Ellis had on his life.
Ryan Presnell, another former player, once remarked that Harold was the most knowledgeable person he had ever encountered. Ellis’s deep understanding of the game, coupled with his ability to connect with his players on a personal level, made him a coach like no other. He demanded the best because he believed in the potential of every athlete he coached.
Ellis’s influence extended beyond the sports arena. Dr. Kenneth Jordan, a pastor for 24 years when Ellis passed away, spoke of Harold’s larger-than-life presence at Fairview Baptist Church, where he was known for his loving and giving nature. Ellis’s faith was a cornerstone of his life, and he shared it generously with those around him. Whether it was through his role as a deacon, his teachings in Sunday school, or his day-to-day interactions, Harold Ellis left a lasting impression on everyone he met.
The loss of Harold Ellis in 2001 was felt deeply by the Elizabethton community. His passing at such a young age was a stark reminder of how fragile life can be. Yet, in the years that have followed, his legacy has only grown. In 2015, he was inducted into the Teacher’s Educator Hall of Fame, and in 2017, Ellis was inducted into the Carter County Sports Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much to the world of sports and beyond.
Today, as former players like Michael White and Ryan Presnell continue their lives, they carry with them the lessons and values instilled by Coach Ellis. His influence is evident not only in their athletic achievements but in the way they live their lives, driven by the same principles of hard work, discipline, and integrity that Ellis embodied. Though he is no longer with us, Harold Ellis’s legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of those he touched, a lasting reminder of the power of a coach to shape lives and inspire greatness.
