First Colonial Patriots
LAST POST: August 24, 2008First Colonial Thanks A True Patriot
Ask Frank Webster why he stayed in coaching for over 40 years, and he doesn't say a word.
He doesn't have to - a gesture says more than enough. In this point, it's a hand point towards the people that helped Webster become the winningest coach in Beach District history.
Before First Colonial's home opener against Kellam on Friday (a game Kellam won, 42-28), Patriot gridiron stars of years (and decades) milled around the endzone, waiting to honor the man whose name is synonymous with Beach District success.
"He was a phenomenal motivator and a great man," said Taylor Morgan, a linebacker in the class of 1979 (one of the 15 years that Webster's team won the district title). "We were always ready on Friday nights."
Local car dealer Tom Barton quarterbacked the squad in the mid-1980s.
"He taught us commitment to whatever your profession is," Barton said. "Coach Webster not only was an all-day, all-night football coach during the season, he never left the school until five or six in the off-season, because he was helping players train in the weight room and doing agility drills. Whenever I think I'm having a bad day at work or feeling overworked, I think about the hours and hours he spent, for not very much pay, probably."
After a stint as an assistant at Deep Creek, Webster took over the reins at First Colonial in 1967. He wouldn't leave for the rest of the millennium.
Over the next 33 years, his team brought home 280 victories. In 1997, he was inducted into the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame (at the time, he was the only Hampton Roads football coach to be enshrined). Later that year, the school named its stadium after him.
"That was a long time overdue," said Randy Johnson, a member of the class of 1987. "He was a pioneer in high school football, and I'm glad I got to play for him."
Throughout Webster's tenure at First Colonial, he had at least one special fan in the stands.
"I only missed two games through the whole time!" claims his wife Shelby, who met Webster while the two were students (and he was playing fullback) for Portsmouth's now-closed Cradock High School. "I kept telling him he needed to give me a set of headphones so I could tell him what I thought!"
A short time ago, current coach Bill McTyre and the rest of the First Colonial community decided to tell Webster what they thought, in keeping with the school motto, Tradition Never Graduates.
"If you go back into the history of the Beach District, it starts with Coach Webster," said McTyre, just one more of Webster's charges. "I wanted these kids to know their heritage, their legacies, what they've left."
That's why the alumni, the current Patriot squad, and the bleachers of fans made Friday an extra special Opening Night - to commemorate Webster's career as their symbol of the school.
Just before kickoff, the old Patriots headed down the sidelines to stand near midfield with their coach. Webster was presented a ball signed by all of them. One of the former players handed him a painting of the stadium, his name clearly visible under the scoreboard (just as in real life). The crowd, the players, and the veterans gave him a standing ovation to thank him one more time.
"It was a total surprise, but wonderful," Shelby said. "It was more than we ever expected."
Hanging out with some of his former charges, Webster looked back at a career many would love to have.
"We had many years of highlights," he said. "It's hard to pick out any one team that was the highlight of it. We had a good run. To be around the type of coaches we had, the type of players we had, the type of school we ran, was a great opportunity. I want to just say thanks."
Since he hung up the clipboard in 2000, it's been difficult for Webster to make the transition to fan.
"It was very hard to watch from the sidelines," he said. "I still miss it on Friday nights. I'm getting a little bit used to it now, but the first three of four years it was difficult to come out and watch, and not be a part of it. I'll always support First Colonial football."
PREVIOUS ARTICLES
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:: First Colonial/Princess Anne Dominate in Playoffs - May 21, 2006
:: First Colonial Patriots Beach District Champions - May 18, 2006
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