A Genuine Legend

The Webster’s New World Dictionary defines the word legend as “a notable person orstories told about his exploits.”  Occasionally, as we live out our lives within any community, you may be fortunate to both meet such a notable person and hear the many stories that shaped and defined that individual as a legend. You don’t have to be around the Harbor Springs community for long before, in one conversation or another, you hear about one particular person and his impressive accomplishments (exploits) – that’s Charlie Paige. Talk basketball with anyone in any community in northern Michigan and you will hear about legendary Charlie Paige.  While Charlie had a reputation as an outstanding physical education and drafting teacher for HSPS (1956-1986), most stories you will hear are about his successes as the Head High School Basketball Coach.  Just how impressive and legendary was Charlie?  Let’s look at some of his accomplishments:

• His teams won 17 District Championships
• He won an incredible 9 Regional Titles
• His teams made the final four 4 times and played in the State Championship twice
• His win/loss record was an almost unbelievable 401-168
• Charlie was named Michigan Coach of the Year in 1974 and 1976
• He was inducted in four separate Halls of Fame, including the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame

Just what kind of basketball coach was Charlie?  He was strict, demanding and fiercely competitive.  He played to win, and he instilled that competitive fire in every player and each team he coached. There was no coddling of players or playing favorites and you’ll never hear a story of Charlie buckling to parent pressure.  As a tactician, Charlie was ahead of his time.  His pressure defense, which included full court presses and traps, was unprecedented in that period.  His teams ran, pressed, scored and dominated.  In 1976 his team scored over 100 points twelve times, an incredible feat given the era of no three point shot.

It’s rare to have a coach who dedicated himself to one program, one school district and one community for thirty years!   This Friday night, February 16th, at the halftime of our home game, we will be honoring this community’s legend by officially naming our home basketball court “Charlie Paige Court.”  Everyone one is invited to attend this special celebration.