Weaver, AL –A large crowd of people gathered in the dining room of Weaver High School in Weaver on the 26th of April on Wednesday to pay tribute to a man who was honored and consider the impact his legacy has had on. The dedications brought tears and awe-inspiring memories as former athletes spoke about their experiences with Gene Taylor to be a major influence on their lives. They also discussed how he still influences the lives of children even today.
The evening began by The Mayor Jeff Clendenning giving opening remarks on the remarkable person Coach Taylor was and the legacy he left behind. Then came a welcoming speech by county commissioner Terry Howell who thanked Coach Fulmer for his dedication to the team and Superintended Reyes. Also, he thanked senator Kieth Kelley Mayor Clendenning as well as Mayor Clendenning, the Weaver City Council, and the Calhoun County Board of Education. He also took a moment to acknowledge the many accomplishments Coach Taylor has amassed throughout his career.
- Coach Taylor was named Alabama’s 1A-4A wrestler of the year nine times.
- He was voted Wrestining coach of the year across the whole Southeastern United States in 1996.
- 55 of his wrestlers have won individual state championships.
- Eight students were selected as the high school All Americans.
- As a coach, his winning record was 500-34.
- In 2010, he was sworn into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame
Following this impressive set of achievements were presented, Gadsden-Macedonia Pastor of the Baptist Church Robby Joplin was invited to address the gathering. Mr. Joplin’s post on social media asking if it was feasible for him to name the street in honor of Taylor started the whole process underway. He expressed gratitude to Commissioner Howell for his assistance in guiding him to the right direction and for letting him know the hurdles to jump over. He also laughed at the way he stood out from other speakers based on his ability to wrestle. Although he was never on the team, He was nevertheless influenced by Coach Taylor. He recounted a tale of the ankle he twisted and was aware of the respect Coach Taylor gave toward his wife when he phoned her to inform her. This kindness will be in his heart even after 30 years. It was an example of the kind of man Coach Taylor was.
Coach Andy Fulmer spoke next. Being the two-time State Champions Weaver Wrestling coach and an athlete who played for Coach Taylor he is well-equipped to give insight about Coach Taylor. He described him as the”GOAT” (Greatest Coach of all Time). He also talked about the ways that “Mean Gene” as he was affectionately known has affected the lives of many husbands and fathers. He said that it’s more crucial for Coach Taylor to see his sons develop into decent men and fathers than to be able to win a match. He also talked about his love for his children Jake as well as Misty. He reflected on how much he enjoyed playing with Jake as well as watching coach Taylor be a father. He also reflected on the kindness he displayed by giving Coach Fulmer to be a true coach and not step in and be in charge when his son was wrestling.
The coach Harley Lamey spoke next. Coach Lacey was a coach for a time at Piedmont and is the current wrestling Coach at Hoover High School. Coach Lamey also talked about the affection Coach Taylor shared with his kids and the way Coach Taylor has shaped him into the coach who he is today. He also spoke about a college incident in which he used inappropriate language during a game and Coach Taylor expressed his disappointment. He spoke about how terrible that was, and how he hopes to never repeat the mistake as a coach.
The coach Frank Hartzog of Alexandria High School revealed that the biggest learning experience he got received from coach Taylor was to lead with your heart. He spoke about how hard everyone was working for the purpose of making Coach Taylor proud. The desire to be proud helped motivate them. He also spoke about the sacrifices he personally believed Coach Taylor made in order to help everyone on his team. When he was a high school student, He didn’t always appreciate the significance, but he’s observed how his action impacted the lives of other people and the extent of an emotional sacrifice Coach Taylor would not hesitate to make.
The coach Joe Lathers an Ohatchee assistant coach and State Trooper followed and decided to address directly the Weaver High School students. He emphasized the three most valuable lessons he gained by observing Coach Taylor.
- Work hard: surround yourself with people who share the same values and work ethical standards. People who encourage you will not detract.
- Be disciplined: Go about your day with determination and focus. Do not waste time hitting sleep button. Set goals for yourself that you set out to attain. Concentrate on the real world and not the technology that is in front of your eyes.
- Keep a large heart Be aware that it’s not about you. It’s always about somebody else. Always think about how you can be of assistance or lift the spirits of the people in your life.
Phyllis Kelley spoke next. Her husband, Senator Kieth Kelley was not able to attend due to the Senate having to be in session. However, he asked her to speak about their experiences as parents. She shared a story of how her son was victorious the game, but this was an “ugly victory”. Coach Taylor was not pleased and expressed his resentment. She recalled seeing her son become angry and then flee however, she then witnessed the two of them laughing minutes after. She stated that grace and the ability to forgive were personal characteristics that Coach Taylor.
Senator Kieth Kelley was unable attend, as previously mentioned, but he did have a conversation with his newspaper, the Calhoun Journal. He told the Journal that the time the son Jeremy first arrived and said his desire to join the team due to the fact that Coach Taylor claimed he was a candidate for the State Championship he was nervous. He was nervous because he did not expect his son’s hopes to be too high. He even went to speak with coach Taylor to challenge him on not being able to ensure the team a win. Coach Taylor claimed he was wrong. He said that Kieth’s son was a man of ability and determination. In the end, the coach Taylor was right. Senator Kelley spoke of seeing the Weaver boys encouraging others from Piedmont and congratulating them after they were victorious or even for putting in a fantastic fight. He emphasized that Coach Taylor was a teacher in class. He taught the importance of being a man more important than winning. They never won medals for participation, but they did are rewarded for their dedication and have were taught to value hard work as a result of it.
Weaver councilman Clint Burns was presented and was interviewed by Calhoun Journal. Calhoun Journal to add, “I’m happy to be being able to recognize one who made such a difference in our community. It’s amazing to know that how he played such a significant influence on families’ lives.”
The last guest speaker came from Jake Taylor and he honored his father’s legacy with great respect. He said that the memories of these people was very meaningful to him. He thanked the coach Fulmer for his contribution as a coach for his team and was proud that the work of his father was part of it. Then, he was invited to unveil a new street sign, which will be a testament to the influence of Coach Gene Taylor on this particular community as well as across the state and county.
At the time of the unveiling, mayor Clendenning, and commissioner Howell both presented $1000 checks each to Coach Fulmer for the team’s wrestling. They also expressed their gratitude of Coach Brown’s and Coach Fulmer’s determination and hard work to build the wrestling team and bring proud the Weaver Community Proud.
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