Chasing Legacy: A legendary book signing with coaches Len Dugger and Jerry White
Published 5:55 pm Thursday, March 7, 2024
Coach Len Dugger
“Chasing the Gold: The Len Dugger Story”
Coach Jerry White
“The Dawg: Coach Jerry White Years”
Author Charles Peters, known for his biographies of Coach Len Dugger and Coach Jerry White, will be present at Eagles on Saturday with copies of his bestselling book, 'Our Home Town,' offering a nostalgic journey through old Carter County businesses.
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On Saturday morning March 16th, at Eagles, located on 507 E. Elk Ave, will host a historic event – a book signing by two basketball legends, Coach Len Dugger and Coach Jerry White. The duo, whose careers had intertwined in the halls of Hampton and Elizabethton, are now set to share their stories with avid fans and aspiring athletes alike.
Len Dugger’s journey in the world of basketball began under the tutelage of Coach Jerry White at Hampton. After five transformative years under White’s guidance, Dugger took on the mantle of head coach at Elizabethton. His coaching tenure spanned 16 years with the boys’ team and nine years with the girls, culminating in the 2014 State title for the Lady Cyclones.
Dugger’s legacy at Elizabethton was nothing short of extraordinary. In his final two regular seasons, he achieved a remarkable 65-0 record, solidifying his status as the all-time winningest basketball coach in Betsy history. The Lady Cyclones, under his guidance for the last four years, boasted an impressive 124-10 record. Dugger’s overall coaching record of 736-268 was a testament to his capacity on the court.
His accolades included seven state tournament victories, eight Regional titles, seven conference championships, and six District titles, not to mention the crowning glory of a State title. Dugger’s coaching talent extended to a stellar 7-2 record in Sub-State play, leaving an indelible mark on Elizabethton’s basketball legacy.
On the other side of the court, Coach Jerry White’s career was equally illustrious. Boasting 734 wins, later adjusted to 735 after a forfeit altered the course of his team’s state tournament appearance, White had a storied 37-year coaching career. Two of those years were spent at Cloudland, while the rest were dedicated to the basketball program at Hampton.
White’s achievements included 44 District wins, 40 Regional wins, and five sub-state victories. He guided his team to five state tournament appearances, earning the title of state runner-up twice. Remarkably, White had also experienced the thrill of winning a state title as a player in 1960 for Hampton, adding a unique perspective to his coaching legacy.
Charles Peters, the author behind both legends’ biographies, will be present at Eagles with copies of his bestselling book, “Our Home Town,” a nostalgic journey through old Carter County businesses. Peters will facilitate the book signing, allowing fans to get their hands on White’s “The Dawg” and Dugger’s “Chasing the Gold.”
The doors of Eagles will open, welcoming eager fans and former players with the signing begining at 10:30. Len Dugger and Jerry White, side by side, will greet fans, share stories, with their signatures on pages that chronicled their extraordinary journeys.
The signing will continue until noon, providing ample time for fans to connect with the coaches and the author, gaining deeper insights into the triumphs, challenges, and heartfelt moments that defined their careers. The event is more than a book signing; it is a celebration of basketball, coaching excellence, and the indomitable spirit of Elizabethton’s/Carter County’s sports legacy.
The legacy of Len Dugger and Jerry White lives on through the pages of their books, inspiring generations to come. Elizabethton has carved another chapter in its storied sports history, one that celebrated the pursuit of greatness and the enduring spirit of chasing gold.
