HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 741 Offered January 10, 2007 Prefiled January 10, 2007 Commending Sidney Chappell. ---------- Patron-- Wright ----------

WHEREAS, Coach Sidney (Chippie) Chappell, outstanding head football coach of the Central High School Chargers located in Victoria, claimed his glorious 300th career win by defeating the Bluestone Barons on September 29, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Chippie Chappell has coached at his alma mater, Central High School of the Lunenburg County Public Schools, for over 30 years; and

WHEREAS, an excellent coach with vast experience, Chippie Chappell is the fifth-winningest high school football coach in the history of the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, as a fourth grader, Chippie Chappell lost his father and growing up he turned to other role models, such as his Central High football coach, who served as best man at Chippie and Nancy Chappell's wedding; and

WHEREAS, Chippie Chappell was the quarterback of the Central High School team when he was in high school, and now occasionally finds himself coaching the sons of players he once played ball with as a Charger; and

WHEREAS, Chippie Chappell knew he wanted to be a coach since he was a junior in high school and he told his mother, Shirley Chappell, that “if he could do for one boy what his coaches had done for him, that’s what he wanted to do”; and

WHEREAS, Coach Chappell began his illustrious coaching career as an assistant at Central High School in 1972, coached the Kenbridge Comets in 1973, joined Lunenburg Public Schools as coach at Lunenburg Middle School in 1975, and took over as the Charger’s coach in 1976; and

WHEREAS, the Central High School football team won the state championship in 1980 under Coach Chappell, which was the first of four thrilling state titles the Chargers have won to date; and

WHEREAS, the most special state final came in 1992, when Coach Chappell's team, led by his own talented son as the starting quarterback, won a state championship for Central High School; and

WHEREAS, considered by the entire populace of Victoria as a hometown legend and football institution, Coach Chappell describes himself as “old school,” preferring to utilize the familiar T-formation, as well as just sticking with “controlling the ball and keeping it away from the other team”; and

WHEREAS, when not planning the next big game or on the field coaching, Coach Chappell teaches health and physical education classes and directs the driver’s education program; and

WHEREAS, Coach Chappell has enjoyed every minute of his 30 years of coaching so far for his beloved alma mater, Central High School, which is a formidable Group A team in a small rural community, where citizens cheer for their hometown heroes more than most and truly relish the Friday night excitement of high school football; and

WHEREAS, Chippie Chappell has been an inspirational coach, mentor, and superb role model for young athletes in Lunenburg County for over three decades and 300 great wins; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend and congratulate Coach Sidney Chappell on his 300th win and his many contributions as a coach, educator, and community supporter; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Coach Sidney Chappell as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his commitment to the young people of Lunenburg County and best wishes for many more winning seasons in the future.