The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Today's Sports Front

January 22, 2013

Covering Independence sports will never be the same

By Gary Fauber Assistant Sports Editor

Coaches come and coaches go. Some of them stay at one place longer than others, leaving an undeniable stamp on their respective programs along the way.

But when you think of athletics at Independence High School, two names immediately come to mind — Scotty Cuthbert and Joe Goddard.

I’ve been working here at The Register-Herald since I was a Friday night part-timer in 1996, and Cuthbert was the only Independence football coach I ever knew. A few months later, when I was fortunate enough to earn a full-time position and got a chance to cover my favorite sport, I had the pleasure of meeting Goddard — the only baseball coach Independence has ever known.

Along the way in those 16 1/2 years, there hasn’t been a single meeting, not one phone conversation or e-mail with Cuthbert or Goddard that wasn’t pleasant. Cuthbert sometimes left me laughing at his wit, and other times he made me think with his understated intellect.

Then there’s Goddard. To say I was in awe of this former Major League baseball player would be more than fair. As I watched him coach, I eventually learned not to try to think along with him. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Eventually we simply became friends, but his knowledge of the game still made me feel at times that I don’t know as much as I thought.

All good things, as they say, must come to an end. When Cuthbert retired in November, and when Goddard did the same last week, it was truly the end of an era not only at Independence, but for Raleigh County sports.

Thanks for the memories, gentlemen. Independence athletics will never be the same.

n n n

When Nicole Goddard was a multi-sport athlete during her days at Independence, I know I typed her name more than 100 times as boxscores were reported or after I covered one of her games.

Why, then, did I call her “Ashley” in a Tuesday article about her dad’s retirement?

Old age? Not yet. Lack of sleep? Possibly.

Ignorance? Now we may be on to something.

Anyway, sorry about that, Ash ... I mean Nicole.

— E-mail: gfauber@

register-herald.com

Text Only
Today's Sports Front
  • 052313 valley ’Hounds roll in Class A

    Watching the celebration unfold, Joe Craffey let it happen, even participated a little.
    It, however, is not the celebration for  which he yearns.

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo

  • Pats return to states in AA

    Brian Sexton wasn’t the least bit happy with the way he hit the ball. He’ll gladly take the result.

    May 24, 2013

  • King’s Warriors host SC United Bantams after strong opener

    When the Southern West Virginia King’s Warriors won their league opener a week ago over in-state rival West Virginia Chaos, manager Scott Reitnour had a lot with which to be impressed, but sometimes it’s the simple things that leave the longest lasting impression.

    May 24, 2013

  • 052513 luck ‘I always thought the university was missing an opportunity’

    West Virginia athletic director Oliver Luck has been on plenty of tours around the state. Now approaching his fourth year as AD, the former Mountaineer quarterback is used to fielding questions during the spring and summer months about the approaching football season and even a few about basketball.

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo

  • 052413 Woodrow.jpg Woodrow Wilson headed to states

    Hunter Greco will walk into the halls of Woodrow Wilson High School this morning for the final time. He’ll walk past his locker and the classroom of his favorite teacher.

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo

  • 052413 Indy.jpg Rain halts AA final in 5th

    It took nearly a week for PikeView and Independence to finally claim their sectional championships, largely because of persistent rain.

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo

  • 052413 James Monroe.jpg Mavericks fall in AA title game

    The James Monroe High School softball team scratched its way up to the championship game of Class AA softball this week.

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo

  • Months of waiting ends: Weeks signs with Marshall

    Adam Weeks probably could have helped usher in a historic first season for the Mountain East Conference at any member school he wanted. Instead, he waited — and waited — for the offer he really wanted.

    May 24, 2013

  • 052313 james monroe A dream start, nightmare end

    Lightning on the horizon brought Wednesday's final game of the state softball tournament to an end.
    The James Monroe Lady Mavericks had felt a shock long before that.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • 052313 woodrow One step away from Charleston

    A trip to Charleston — with a lot more on the agenda than a tour of the capitol building and a shopping spree at Charleston Town Center — will be up for grabs tonight for three area teams that are one win away from punching their ticket to the WVSSAC State Baseball Tournament at Appalachian Power Park.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo