Logan County Athletics has started a new tradition this year. It will be known as The Pride. Six people long associated with Logan County High School sports comprise the inaugural class of the recipients of the honor. They were recognized at halftime of the boys game Feb. 4 during Homecoming.
Athletic Director Greg Howard says, “Our recipients have dedicated themselves to service to Logan County Athletics and our student athletes. Because of those very same sacrifices and tireless commitment to our programs, we want to recognize them tonight.”
Each recipient received a “Cougar Pride” coin in a display case, as well as one for them to carry on their person.
Howard presented the awards. The following is what he said about each of them:
Coach Todd Adler: Coach Adler’s efforts to resurrect LCHS Football have gained recognition in our community, our football district and across the state. Coach Adler continues to build a better program through serving on the Jr. Pro Football Board while overseeing the recruiting of great coaches at the middle school and high school level.
Since going 0-42 before his tenure as head coach, Todd Adler’s Cougars have gone 56-26 overall, won a regional championship, finished as a regional runner-up, three district championships and two district runners-up. The Cougars are 35-9 in district play and 36-23 in Class 4A games. Congratulations on turning Cougar Football around.
Coach Ethan Meguiar: Coach Meguiar is entering his 26th season as head coach of his beloved Cougar baseball team. He has coached the Cougars to some phenomenal stats. Under Coach’s leadership, the Cougars have amassed an overall record of 512 wins and 298 losses. He has coached his Cougars to two regional runner-up berths, one regional championship and 22 23th District championships. His Cougars have had 21 winning seasons and 54 players have signed to play college baseball. Coach Meguiar has been named Fourth Region Coach of the Year twice (2013, 2016).
Coach has been all-in from Day One of his coaching career. The time and effort that he and his staff put in is evident. We constantly get compliments on how great our field looks, which is something Coach Meguiar is very proud of. He is also proud to have a coaching staff that is second to none. Coach was inducted into the Kentucky Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2018.
Coach Meguiar is out of town with his wife Nicole, traveling to watch their son Braxton’s opening weekend of college baseball. Receiving his award tonight is his life-long friend and Cougar Assistant Coach, Kyle Wall.
Holli Black: Holli kept the scorebook for her first game on Dec. 13, 1994 for Coach Chris Sowder. Holli is now in her 28th year of keeping the Boys Basketball official scorebook and mentoring what is now her 11th Logan County head basketball coach. Holli has been a staple on the sidelines and has been a great Cougar Basketball supporter. She has helped to keep up with all-time scoring leaders, 1000-Point Club, and reporting scores to media outlets. Holli has kept the official book for seven 13th District Basketball Tournaments. Her knowledge for former players and coaches has been a valuable tool to the Cougar Foundation Athletic Hall of Fame. Holli has been a great friend to the program and especially the players over the years. We are blessed that she’s one of us.
Gayle Howard: Gayle is the wife of Logan County Athletic Director Coach Greg Howard. Gayle has been the faithful supporter in the background for many years while helping to support Cougar Athletics. She has always understood the time and commitment her husband has made over the years to help student-athletes and the LC programs.
She sacrificed many nights alone while I was on the road at various athletic events and meetings across the state. She has become familiar with many late-night chats about the wins and losses, having supper ready at any hour of the night and clothes ready for the next athletic event or meeting. Supporting Coach Howard is not as easy task. I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without the love and support of my wife!
Jim Turner: Jim Turner has written and supported Logan County Athletics since 1971. His passion over the years for sports and our student-athletes can been seen in many of the news articles he has written over the past 50-some years. Jim was recently inducted into the Cougar Foundation Athletic Hall of Fame for his many years of covering not only Cougar Athletics but Russellville as well.
Jim was here to witness in person the first Cougar boys and girls basketball game, baseball game, football game and volleyball match. Through Jim’s outstanding coverage of Logan County sports, our community has always been aware of the great efforts of our teams.
All of our players, coaches and programs want to thank you for being with us all of these years and telling everyone how great our programs are. Thanks for giving a written voice to so many for so long.
Superintendent Paul Mulllins: Mr. Mullins has been the driving force to improve the opportunities of all our students, countywide. Since his arrival, Mr. Mullins has dedicated himself to look at where we should be, both academically and athletically. With Mr. Mullins’ leadership and vision, he has seen projects that were once dreams become realities. In just a few short years, athletics has seen a great deal of growth and development.
Mr. Mullins saw that these projects were completed to allow our students opportunities beyond what we ever though possible. The tennis courts were resurfaced and lighting added. All competition fields are in Bermuda grass and fully irrigated. We have new bleachers at both baseball and softball fields. New visitor bleachers were installed at the football stadium and a new eight-lane rubberized track was constructed. Inside of that wonderful addition was placed an awesome new soccer field. Another addition was the bleachers and pressbox at the soccer field.
Just recently our new indoor facility with almost 50 yards of turf was completed. Upstairs are two batting tunnels, and located just below on the main level are coaches offices, restrooms, changing rooms and a fantastic concession stand.
Mr. Mullins has been able to see that our main gym received a makeover, consisting of painting the walls and the ceiling, adding new tile and refinishing the basketball court. Thanks for supporting our student-athletes by providing much needed improvement.
As you can see, PRIDE comes in many different forms. But when all is said and done, the outstanding love and efforts that are put forth for the benefit of our kids in priceless, no matter how it is presented. It is with great pleasure that we present to you our inaugural class of PRIDE winners.