CAMPUS NEWS

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.

TRIBUTES TO COACH MATTHEWS

Matt Bold, ‘08, ‘10 “During such an important stage in our lives, when many of us were hundreds or thousands of miles from home, Coak Matthews was a father to us. Coak didn’t just care about how fast we were in the water, he wanted to make sure we were successful in the classroom and in life after we left Henderson. He taught us many life lessons through the sport of swimming. How to work hard, how to persevere through adversity, how to be a family and how to love unconditionally.”

Jodi Baker Coffee, ‘98 “Coak has been a constant my whole life. Leading, pushing, guiding—in the pool and many other aspects. His Christ-centered approach was unwavering. He never mentioned accomplishment without giving God the glory. A fierce competitor with a gentle spirit. I will miss him dearly.”

Payten Frunzi, ‘16 “Coach Matthews was a one of a kind type coach. He took chances on his athletes and always believed in his team! He really embodied the One Heart, One Mind, One Team slogan we had painted in the pool. He made such an impact in the swimming community, leaving his mark as a person who will never be forgotten. He taught me to never give up hope in swimming and in life. He will be sorely missed. Red Wave for life.”

Coach Scotty Serio, ‘14 “Coach Coak loved every single one of his swimmers and divers. As an athlete for Coak, his influence and drive went way further than just being faster in the pool. He often would just ask me about life and would always be willing to show me how sometimes the thing you want is sitting right in front of you—even though there may be obstacles in the way. Coak was an integral part of our community and will be a dearly missed mentor, confidant and role model. We can’t express enough thanks and gratitude to the Matthews family for sharing such a great Godly man with so many of us during a crucial time in our lives. There are no words to express our sorrow, but Coak’s legacy will live on in this program and will serve as a guiding example of what it means to be a part of this team and this community.”