West Hartsville Baptist Church invites the Hartsville Community to attend a special Baptist Men’s Day January 17th at the 11:00 am service- 1003 West Carolina Avenue, featuring Coach Art Baker.

Coach Art Baker: 

Art Baker is a native of Sumter, South Carolina and a 1953 graduate of Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina where he played football, starting at halfback in his last two years.  He retired from the University of South Carolina Athletics Department on June 30, 1995, where he held the position of Associates Athletics Director for Development and Gamecock Club Director for 6 ˝ years.  He currently works on a part-time basis as a consultant to Athletics Director Eric Hyman.  He served in the same capacity to former South Carolina Coach Lou Holtz and Brad Scott.

He has been an active member of the American Coaches Association for over 35 years and served on a number of committees.  Also, he is a member of College Place Methodist Church and an active member for over forty years of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes where he is a member of the midlands board.  He was inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in April 1994, and the Sumter County Athletic Hall of Fame.  In 1995, he was named Presbyterian College’s Outstanding Graduate in Athletics, and was honored by the South Carolina Chapter of National Football Foundation and the South Carolina Fellowship of Christian Athletes as the Man of the Year.  In 2006 Coach Baker was honored by the “Scholastic Sportsmanship Foundation” by having its annual ‘Skip’ named in his honor.

He is married to the former Edith Edens of Dalzell, South Carolina, and they have four children and four grandchildren.

His impressive career consists of the following coaching opportunities and achievements:

Collegiate Level:
                           

East Carolina University         1985-1988                   13-30

The Citadel                             1978-1982                   30-24-1

Furman University                   1973-1977                   28-24-1

Named Southern Conference Coach of the Year, 1973        

Named S.C. State College of the Year, 1973                  

Named National Churchman’s Hall of Fame, 1973                  

Named Dunkal’s Most Improved Team in America, 1973        

Assistant Coach                  

Florida State University         1985                            
8 - 4-0   Citrus Bowl (ranked 17th in the nation)

                                Top Rushing Offense in Florida State History        

East Carolina University         1983                             8 - 3-0 Ranked 17th in US

Texas Tech                             1970-1972                  
20-14-2   Sun Bowl 1970 & ‘72

Clemson University                   1965-1969                  
22-18-2   ACC Champions 1967 & ‘68

                                                                    4- 0-1   Coached Freshman Team ‘65

                               
                                1st Undefeated Team in 30 years        

High School Level                  

Eau Claire High School         1959-1964                   47-14-2   Several Midlands Coach of the Year Awards

Newberry High School         1957-1958                  
9-13-0   Head Coach North Team in North/South Game, 1960

McColl High School                   1955-1957                    
9-10-2   Asst. Coach Shrine Bowl, 1963

Coach Baker holds the best winning percentage in Citadel football history for the last 60 years.

Art Backer coached a number of outstanding athletes who have gone to the National Football League (NFL):  Stump Mitchell, St. Louis Cardinals; Charlie Waters, Dallas Cowboys; David Whitehurst, Green Bay Packers; Jeff Blake, New Orleans Saints and John Jett, Detroit Lions.

Possibly his strongest contribution to coaching has been his uncanny perception of choosing outstanding coaches on his staff.  Original coaches hired first by Art Baker on his high school staff or later in college who achieved prominence are:

Eric Hyman                  
Athletics Director, University of South Carolina & Texas Christian University

Dick Sheridan                  
Head Coach, Furman and North Carolina State University

Jimmy Satterfield        
Head Coach, Furman University and Lexington High School

Buddy Sasser                  
Head Coach, Wofford College and East Tennessee State University

Eddie Williamson        
Head Coach, Virginia Military Institute (VMI)

Ted Cain                  
Head Coach, Virginia Military Institute (VMI)

Frank Beamer                  
Head Coach, Murray State, Cincinnati, VPI

Rick Gilstrap                  
Head Coach, Mars Hill and Wofford College

Don Powers                  
Head Coach, The Citadel

Kevin Gilbride        
Head Coach, San Diego Chargers

Clyde Christinsen        
Tight Ends Coach and QB Coach/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Bobby Johnson        
Head Coach, Furman and Vanderbilt

Richard Bell                  
Head Coach, South Carolina

Cal Mccombs                  
Defensive Coordinator, U.S. Air Force and Head Coach at VMI

Ralph Freidgen        
Offensive Coordinator, Georgia Tech and the San Diego Chargers

                           
Head Coach, University of Maryland

Mike O’Cain                  
Head Coach, North Carolina State University

Paul Hamilton                  
Head Coach, East Tennessee State University

Steve Patton                  
Head Coach, Gardner-Webb University

Ellis Johnson                  
Head Coach, Gardner-Webb, Defensive Coordinator, Alabama

                           
Head Coach, The Citadel