CAM PUS N E WS
REMEMBERING
COAK MATTHEWS Henderson State Athletics and the Reddie family suffered a tremendous loss on June 27, 2021, when legendary former swimming and diving head coach Coak Matthews passed away at the age of 66. Matthews was one of the most decorated coaches in Henderson history and was at the helm of the Red Wave swimming and diving programs for 39 years. HE RECENTLY RETIRED from full-time coaching in April and is survived by his wife of 36 years, Mary, and their three children, Sallie, William and Blanton. A certified master level coach by the College Swimming Coaches Association, Matthews coached over 200 All-Americans, four individuals who won national championships and led both the men’s and women’s programs at Henderson State to numerous Top-10 national finishes at the NAIA and NCAA II levels of competition during his time at HSU. He was named the CSCAA National Diving Coach of the Year in 1990, the NAIA National Men’s Swimming and Diving Coach of the Year in 1994, was inducted into the Arkansas Swimming Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Henderson State Athletic Hall of Honor in 2003. An icon of the sport in the state of Arkansas, Matthews’ impact extended far beyond the campus of Henderson State. In addition to his work at HSU, Matthews served as the swim coach at Arkadelphia High School from 1983 to 2005, where he led the Lady Badgers to state titles in 1986 and 1987. Outside of competition, Matthews dedicated much of his time to advancing the sport of swimming in Arkadelphia and the surrounding community. Throughout his career, Matthews taught and organized swimming lessons, summer All-Star clinics, and camps in Southwest Arkansas. At the family’s request, memorial gifts may be made to HSU Foundation for the Coak Matthews Swim Scoreboard Fund. The goal is $25,000 and $11,816 has been raised. Give online at hsusports.com/donate or mail your donation to HSU Box 7550, 1100 Henderson Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71999-0001.
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HENDERSON MAGAZINE
