By Virginia Haynes, Guest Columnist
Andrews – As basketball season begins, Andrews High School will have an empty space for the first time in 50 years.
With the passing of coach Ken Solesbee, many stories have been told. I would like to share two important ones with you.
Over the past year, as women’s athletics across the country have been threatened, I could not help but recall the vital role that Solesbee and Andrews High played in women’s sports in the state of North Carolina. Not only did Ken expand the women’s program at Andrews by beginning the volleyball and softball teams, but he was also instrumental in establishing equality for women’s basketball across our state.
The road to the 1977 state championship began two years earlier. In 1975, the Lady Wildcats lost the opener at Franklin, finished the season and tournament without another loss, then moved to the state playoffs.
At that time, men’s basketball was divided into divisions – 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A – but all the women’s teams played together, regardless of the size of the school.
The first night, the Cats beat Edneyville. The second night, the Cats lost by three to Erwin High.
The year 1976 was almost a repeat. No losses. Win the conference, win the tournament and advance to the state playoffs.
The first night we destroyed Edneyville. The second night was at Enka. In the worse officiated game in the history of basketball, the Cats lost by 1. Sissy
Bristol had never fouled out in a game, but did that night. Because it was a playoff game, the crowd was huge, and there were fans and scouts from across western North Carolina watching.
Solesbee watched and rewatched the old 16mm film and sent it to the N.C. High School Athletic Association. There were also hundreds of letters – including ones from coaches, players, school administrators and college coaches. There was an outcry not only about the game, but about the lack of equity for women’s sports.
Later that spring, under tremendous pressure, the NCHSAA divided women’s basketball into the same divisions as the men’s program. Now there would be four state champion teams for the women.
Solesbee’s work to recognize women’s sports still allows more girls to play and to be honored and awarded for their talents and dedication. And in case anyone doesn’t know, the 1977 Lady Wildcats won the state championship.
Another story that many know, maybe in parts, was that Solesbee loved learning. He wanted to know things and to study them. Everyone knows he studied basketball, but there is so much more that was evident in his life.
After Solesbee finished military service, it would have been easy for him to go to work and not finish the degree he started before he was drafted. Instead, he went back to school and got his degree.
He began by teaching math, social studies and physical education. This took constant studying to enrich the lessons for his students. Even when he retired and would come and substitute, he wanted to know what they were learning. He did not just hand out worksheets to keep the kids busy, he asked questions and helped the students.
Solesbee studied nutrition way before it was popular. He often gave us the evil eye when he thought we were eating too many French fries, and we returned the look when he peeled the breading off the okra.
Just a few years ago, Solesbee and I were watching the Wildcats play soccer. He asked me if I understood the “offsides” rule and, even though my own children had played, I told him I did not. At the next game, he explained it to me the best anyone ever had. He had gone home and studied the rules.
It is because of Solesbee’s love of learning and his inquisitive mind that Sandy, and his family and friends, have created the Ken Solesbee Scholarship. With
this scholarship, future students from Andrews High will be able to continue their studies and broaden their opportunities. United Community Bank has the account set up, and we all hope you will help to support this living legacy to honor our teacher, coach and friend.
Just like the beautiful gym that will live on in Solesbee’s honor, so can future generations of young Wildcats learn and study and make a difference to people here and around the world.
The writer, Andrews High School Class of 1978, was also a member of the Lady Wildcats’ 1977 state championship team.