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Coach Perkins Bids One Final Farewell

CHRIS HOFFMAN/HIGHLANDS TODAY

Former Avon Park coach Earnest Perkins claps during Friday's Circle of Honor ceremony, which paid tribute to the Red Devil senior football players.

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By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: December 16, 2007

AVON PARK — Tears of joy and sorrow mixed with laughter and joyous ovations, as the legacy of Earnest Perkins filled the APHS auditorium, and supporters young and old paid tribute to the former Avon Park football coach.

"This was a very sentimental night for all of us," said Red Devil senior captain Fred Mixon Jr. "It hasn't really hit me yet that he isn't the coach anymore, even though I'm graduating. He was more than a coach to all of his players.

"I'm blessed that I was a part of this and belong to the last Circle of Honor."

Mixon and the other nine seniors were honored with medals during Perkins' 27th annual Circle of Honor — the second for the Red Devils — where the passing of the torch took on a whole new meaning during the celebration on Friday.

This ceremony marks the final time that Perkins will participate in such an event after his dismissal last month following 22 months as the Red Devil head coach.

The firing of Perkins has sparked loud praises and harsh criticism among the community, none louder than that of the Avon Park booster club.

"I'm really sorry to see him leave," said booster member Kathy McKibben. "He did so much for these kids that I don't think the people in the community really see or get to appreciate."

Fred Mixon Sr., another Avon Park booster club member, said he was shocked and hurt when he heard the news about Perkins, but his comments Friday night showered the former coach with praise.

"This was a man of integrity," Mixon Sr. said. "He did things the right way and I was just sorry that he didn't get enough time to see things through. I think if he'd had adequate time then the wins would have come."

After Perkins was hired as the head football coach in January 2006, and made an immediate priority for academics and accountability for his players. Getting to the weight room by 6:30 a.m. every morning and being in mandatory study hall before practice became commonplace.

Many players from last year's squad are in college right now as a result of the work and dedication that Perkins displayed, including a number of full scholarships to South Florida Community College.

But it was the little things that made the most impact on the parents in the audience.

"I know that most of the parents in here aren't called to school about failing grades anymore," Mixon Sr. said. "I bet you don't even have to wake your boy up in the morning, because he's already up after going through morning workouts.

"He's made men out of these boys."

The realization that this was the last party for Perkins and his new ideas sent shock waves through the Red Devil players. As people gave thanks for Perkins and his players with medals and gifts abound, it was Perkins who sent the loudest message of the evening.

"Don't let it die," Perkins said. "Don't let the new coach come in and say to hell with study hall or you don't have to wear those ties. I am calling out to all the parents to let these programs live on in some fashion."

Perkins spouted words of love and affection on the crowd, noting he cherished his time with the boys and men at Avon Park.

"I'll always love the game of football," Perkins said. "but I love kids more."

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