[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 97 (Thursday, July 10, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7224-S7225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN MEMORY OF COACH JAMES G. LILLY

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I rise to take a moment to pay 
tribute to a very special West Virginian, Coach James G. Lilly of Oak 
Hill, who recently passed away after coaching the Oak Hill Red Devils 
for 27 years.
  Coach Lilly was a dedicated high school basketball coach and a true 
humanitarian. He retired in 1989 ranking third on the State's all-time 
high school winning list, with a career record of 591-291. Coach Lilly 
led the Oak Hill Red Devils to two class AAA State championships in 
1984 and 1989, and his Red Devils were runners-up in the 1969 and 1986 
tournaments.
  However, there was much more to this three-time coach of the year 
than just winning basketball games. Jim Lilly tirelessly worked to 
fulfill many of his players' human needs. He gave generously of 
himself, looking out for his players in the southern coalfields of West 
Virginia.
  Coach Lilly became a father figure to hundreds of young teens 
throughout his 38-year career. ``He knew that certain kids needed 
certain things, a little extra food or maybe an extra dollar . . . he 
looked out for you and he was very giving . . . my dad died when I was 
9 and he was the most pivotal older male in my life,'' said Sam 
Calloway, a former player and now coach.
  He was a man of dignity, a man of class, a man of compassion, and he 
will be deeply missed by the community and coaching profession. Lilly's 
dignity was not only displayed through his life, but through his 
players' lives. In six State tournament appearances, the Oak Hill Red 
Devils won five sportsmanship trophies in the eighties. ``Sportsmanship 
was a direct reflection of the coach,'' said Calloway, ``and when we 
were on the floor, we represented him.''

[[Page S7225]]

  His contemporaries had an even greater respect for his coaching 
genius. He was devoted to the game and devoted to the kids he worked 
with. Coach Lilly demanded a standard of excellence that is unsurpassed 
in West Virginia's coaching ranks.
  Coach James G. Lilly reminded all of us about the importance of 
sportsmanship. He was dedicated to the game, but more importantly, he 
was dedicated to the young athletes. His death is certainly a loss to 
West Virginia. He will long be remembered.

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