Bittersweet/ Powerade East/West All-Star game

I was able yesterday to watch my daughter participate in her last sporting event as a high school athlete. It is a culmination of a very good career on the softball diamond. I have had the pleasure of coaching her in softball, volleyball, and basketball since she first picked up a ball. I am her coach and always will be, but as important as that has been to me, her and our family for these 18 years, she is my daughter first. Everybody around knows me as "Pop", but there are only two young ladies in my life that call me "Dad". My younger daughter Katie, and Kimberly who played yesterday. Kimberly by association with me knows a lot of coaches in North Carolina. She has followed me around all over this State with my former duties as President of the NCSCA, Chairman of the Board of the NCSCA, and my duties with the PowerAde State Games. She has been privy to some of the finest coaches in North Carolina, and more importantly, some of the finest people you would ever want to meet. I coached Kimberly in her first game, but I didn't coach her in her last. That opportunity went to three people who I will be forever grateful. Bradley Hays from East Wilkes, Gary Payne from Glenn, and Claire Lyerly from Weddington high schools. Also, Chip Adams who was in the opposing dugout who I am sure was pulling for her as I was for his daughter on the East squad. We sat around the supper table last night and she talked about how much fun she had being with those girls and especially those coaches. She beamed as she said how they had made her last game so memorable. I can tell you now that old Pop beamed with pride last night as she sat there with her (Red) that is for Coach Hays, uniform clutching her Gold Medal and retelling the events of the day. I can also say that I could not hold back the tears yesterday as I had the opportunity of placing that Gold Medal on her neck. Thank you softball world for accepting me and my daughter into the fold. Thank you coaches for always making me, her, and the rest of my family feel loved. Thank you once again to those coaches on the field yesterday who made her last game one that she will remember for the rest of her life. I will be eternally grateful for what you did. God bless each one of you in everything you attempt to do.

Eddie "Pop" Rivers
NCSCA, Chairman of the Board

 

Not to intentionally "piggy back" on Pop's post, but I would like to take a moment to thank all of those involved with the Poweraide State Games. Between my two daughters we have had a daughter playing in the last 6 Poweraide State Games. Every one has had it's own special memories and friendships created. I also had the bitter sweet pleasure of watching my daughter complete her high school career yesterday. The Western Coaches (Brad Hayes, Gary Payne and Claire Lyerly) and Coach Williams (Eastern assisstant)made her experience very memorable. Coach Payne kept her entertained at first base for both games. But the most credit for my daughter's wonderful experiences goes to Pop Rivers. It has been his tireless efforts in bringing softball to the Poweraide State Games and the work he has done at every year that has made the end of each high school season and 2 high school careers very special. Thanks Pop and everyone else that has been involved for the last 6 years.