Hall Of Fame Coach Kent Chambers Wins Humanitarian Award
MADISON- The National Fastpitch Coaches Association has named Kent Chambers, a longtime softball head coach at Bob Jones High School, the 2021 recipient of the Association’s Humanitarian Award. Chambers, who currently serves as the Patriots’ assistant coach, has been recognized for his advocacy of women’s sports and commitment to the sport of softball at Bob Jones and throughout the state of Alabama.
“I’m shocked and speechless to find out about this prestigious award,” said Chambers moments after being told of the national honor. “I’ve been a member of the NFCA for many years and I know the importance of this award and what it means. My feeling of receiving this award is hard to put into words.”
Over his time as head coach, Chambers, who is a member of the Huntsville-Madison County Athletics Hall of Fame, collected 884 victories, posted 19 winning seasons and made 12 trips to the state playoffs. He coached for 30 years under the banners at Bob Jones, including 28 at the helm of the softball program before he retired from his post in 2016. He was the driving force in developing the program from slowpitch to fastpitch, advocated for women’s sports and became a constant at Bob Jones and the state of Alabama. When the Alabama High School Athletic Association chose to move to fastpitch in 1995, Chambers already had a clear understanding of the sport as he grew up watching his older sisters play in adult fastpitch leagues.
Three years ago, Chambers was named the Class 7A winner of the Making The Difference Award from the AHSAA and in 2011 he was tabbed as the Alabama Athletic Director of the Year.
Whitney Deaver, head coach of the Lady Patriots and who followed along the heels of Chambers when he left his role as head coach, nominated Chambers for the award and was the person who notified him of the national honor. She said, “He isn’t just a coach. He is a friend, a father figure, trusted teacher and family man. Kent puts everyone before himself and is the epitome of a selfless servant.”
Besides his expertise with the softball aspect of the team Chambers assists on maintaining the grounds of the softball field at Bob Jones and also takes care of driving the team bus whenever needed as he’s had his special driver’s license for just that type of help for over 20 years.
“He is there for his players in the good and the bad,” said Deaver. “I am proud to call him my friend and I cannot think of a better person for this honor.”
Chambers, 57, is in his 36th year of teaching at Bob Jones still working numbers as a match teacher and currently has no plans to retire and is extremely humble about the special honor bestowed his way.
“I don’t consider myself a special person,” added Chambers. “I’m thankful to Whitney who allows me to be out there with the girls on our team and for nominating me for this NFCA award.”
The NFCA’s Humanitarian Award recognizes a member coach who has selflessly dedicated time toward the long-term betterment of the community and/or engaged in charitable activities in the service of others. Chambers will be honored in front of his peers on Dec. 11 during the NFCA Awards Brunch at the 2021 NFCA Convention, held Dec. 8-11 at Caesar’s Forum in Las Vegas.
“I’ve always attended the convention so this one will be very special,” added Chambers.
