Cookson wasn’t just a coach; he was a legend

In every area, there are some people that seem larger than life. Whether that person is in politics, a business owner, a sports figure or just a good person, every community has someone that has had a profound impact, often bigger than they ever imagined.

Over the last week, I learned about one of those figures. Carroll Cookson wasn’t just a basketball coach. That’s something that was easily apparent after listening and reading story after story about this legendary person.

Anyone who amassed more than 520 wins, was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and won a couple of state titles as a player and as a coach deserves to be called a legend. From everyone I spoke with last week, Cookson was just that.

Whether it was someone who played one year, several years or none at all for Cookson, his impact could be felt.

Riche Walker told me about how practices were with Carroll and his brother Ronnie Cookson. Dennis “Bubba” Wheatley told me about wanting to play for Carroll so badly that he transferred high schools just to suit up for the legendary coach, even if it was just for one year. He then went on to be the head coach at Advance, passing on what he learned from his mentor. Matt Cline, who was coached by Ronnie, told me about the influence Carroll still had on him.

Steve Cookson told me about his dad, his hero and his best friend.

As it stated in his obituary, Carroll returned to college at 28 in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, after marrying his wife Rozelle.

Deciding to go to college nearly 100 miles from your hometown at almost 30 in a crazy thought. I assume it was the same in 1962, but Carroll knew that’s what he wanted to do — and from everything I’ve heard about Rozelle, she was willing to do anything to support him.

“Even growing up, we were a real close-knit family,” Steve said.

Steve talked about how he wasn’t able to do some of the things the other kids did because Carroll already knew what was happening. Senior skip day? Not for Steve. Getting into whatever antics kids get into on Halloween? Not for Steve, but he did mention his dad let him trick-or-treat with one person, someone his father trusted and knew would keep Steve out of trouble. That person was John Rhodes. The same man who officiated Carroll’s funeral on Saturday at Advance High School.

Small towns are special for a lot of reasons. People like Carroll Cookson are a big part of that. People that will do anything they can, anytime they can for the betterment of other people.

Be like Carroll Cookson.

Tyler Dixon is the sports editor of the Daily American Republic. Contact him at tdixon@darnews.com.