On the Campus H
Some of the entertainment at the “Garrison Roast" was provided by a barbershop quartet
that incorporated many of Garrison’s accomplishments into their lyrics.
Former
players
finally
catch
‘‘the
rabbit”
Jody Shultz, left,
who was an
outstandng player
for the Braves and
later played profes
sional football with
the Philadelphia
Eagles, told of
Coach Garrison’s
practice of having
his players “chase
the rabbit. ” Shultz
proudly told the
audience that he
and a group of his
former teammates
had been successful
in catching the
rabbit. At left, a
former teammate
presents Garrison
the caged rabbit,
along with a supply
of food “to keep the
rabbit healthy and
active.”
A widow pays tribute
“The Bear” never lost his love
for football or for Jim Garrison
I was a Chowan freshman and only 17 the first time I saw Jim
Garrison on a football field. At the time, he scared the life out of
me. He was holding on to the face guard of Oscar Beasley, a
Chowan player known as “The Bear,” and tongue lashing him for
hitting an opposing player, which had caused his expulsion from the
game. The lick had been passed because the other player had thrown
dirt in “The Be^’s” face for the second time. In retrospect, the dirt
was probably easier to take than Jim Garrison’s chewing out.
Little did I know that both men would play a significant role in
my life. Two weeks later I had the first of many dates with Oscar.
The relationship might not have continued if he had followed his
coach’s advice. At that time, Jim Garrison consistently tried to keep
his ball players away from their girlfriends, especially the night
before a game. I only forgave him for that after Oscar and 1 were
married in 1964.
Oscar referred to his coach as “Garrison,” but not where the
coach could hear him. When Oscar did say his name, it was always
with this incredible awe in his voice, like he was speaking of
someone super human. I’m not sure my husband ever expressed
how much he loved his coach. Men of his era were not supposed to
have feelings or cry. But, I can remember countless times when he
would share campus memories and it always included Jim Garrison.
In some ways, it was the best time of our lives. All we had to do was
go to class, hold hands and dodge the coach when we were lighting
up a Winston.
Our two children, Oscar, Jr., and Jason came along and we shared
college memories with them including Garrison’s many admonitions
about life. We never made it back to Chowan except for our 20-year
reunion. We saw Coach Garrison then. He hadn’t changed a bit. He
was still grinning, sfill thin, and still grousing about how his team
needed to shape up if they ever wanted to become champions.
Jim Garrison specialized in shaping champions — on and off the
football field. When Oscar was diagnosed with severe diabetes
during his sophomore year at Chowan, Jim Garrison knew how
important it was for him to continue playing football. He saw to it
that “The Bear” never missed a game. I’m convinced that the faith
Jim Garrison placed in Oscar also helped boost him through the
tough years that were to follow. Those years included struggles with
dialysis and several surgeries, including kidney and pancreas
transplants. The disease finally claimed his life in 1991.
The last thing Oscar did the day before he died was watch the
Washington Redskins win a game. In my heart, I know he was a
linebacker again hunkered down on that field listening for the calls
the same way he had done so many years ago.
He never lost his love for football—or for Jim Garrison. Our
youngest son, Jason, even attended football camp at Chowan during
his high school years. It was extremely important to Oscar that he
have an opportunity to be near Coach Garrison, And, when Oscar
died, it was Jason who said, “Mama, you’d better call Coach
Garrison, He’d want to know,”
I wanted to write this tribute for Oscar, I wanted his voice to be
heard even though he couldn’t be present. I still talk to Oscar as I
did for 28 years. When I asked him what advice he would have for
Garrison about retirement, the answer was short and simple, “Know
your plays. Give it everything you’ve got. Practice hard. And, if I
see you smoking, it’ll cost you five laps.”
—Nancy Wright Beasley
Class of 1964
South Hill, Virginia
Garrison inducted
into Hall of Fame
by alma mater
Veteran athletic director Jim Garrison was
inducted into the Gardner-Webb University
Hall of Fame on Saturday, Oct, 28,
Garrison was a two-way starter (running
back and defensive back) for the undefeated
Gardner-Webb Bulldog football teams of 1951
and 1952, He was instrumental in the team’s
perfect records and appearances in the Golden
Isle Bowl,
As a sophomore at the then junior college.
Garrison served as team captain, was an All-
State selection and the Golden Isle Bowl’s
Most Valuable Player, In addition. Garrison
earned an athletic letter in basketball.
He graduated with honors in 1953 with an
associate degree in pre-engineering. Garrison
continued his education at Western Carolina
University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts
degree in mathematics. While there he earned
All-Conference and All-State honors in football
and served his club as team captain.
Garrison later worked as coach at Gardner-
Webb (1955-58) before accepting the coaching
and athletic administration position at Chowan.
Garrison retired from football coaching at the
end of the 1994 season but continues to serve as
vice president for athletic administration and
director of the Braves Club.
Garrison
was
instrumental
in several
perfect
records at
his alma
mater.
CHOWAN TODAY, December 1995 — PAGE 9