School Sports Whether it’s a high school team lifting another district championship trophy or an archer hitting another bull’s eye during a national competition, Meade Countians have a special love of their sports and their athletes. Like any small community, both are points of pride. “Once you put on that (Meade County) jersey, you’re hooked,” said David Hamilton, a Meade County super fan. “There’s no going back. You’re a Greenwave for life. If I had to be addicted to something, it would have to be Meade County sports. … I just love it.” Hamilton, affectionately known as “Ham,” has been a Meade County fan since the 1950s, when his parents first took him to high school basketball games. Since graduating from Meade County High School in 1971, Hamilton has seen everything from the varsity football team’s first touchdown scored by Tony Brown in 1966 to the first wrestler ever to finish in the top eight in the state in 2009. “I’ve seen it all,” Hamilton said as he recalled some of the great athletes to come through Meade County. “It’s a point of pride. It’s something we hang our hat on.” The Meade County athletic teams are an extension of the hard-working, blue collar community, and it all starts out with the Meade County High School Greenwave and Lady Wave teams. The community only has one high school, which heightens the sense of camaraderie. “What’s nice is there is one (high) school in the entire county,” said John Proctor, the school’s athletic director. “We have built this support base that travels well. Everyone supports everyone else. That’s important to us.” The high school offers 11 boys and 12 girls athletic teams, including football, volleyball, and even a Special Olympics team. Greenwave football has been a source of community pride since Meade County High School’s first team was field in 1966.
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Meade County
One of the most tradition-struck athletic teams is Greenwave football, which has become a respected program in Kentucky and was founded in 1966. “It means a lot for any kid who puts on a Greenwave jersey,” said football head coach Larry Mofield, who has been a coach at Meade County since 1994. “They are hard-working kids who have grown to love the tradition of Meade County.” The teams at Meade County may not be the biggest, tallest or fastest. But they are hard-working. “The teams may lose sometimes, but they never get beat,” Hamilton said. “There’s a big difference… They’ll never back down. They’ll fight until the end.” That tireless approach and community support have kept Meade County competitive against many of the powerhouse athletic programs in the state. “You just don’t do that,” Hamilton said with a hearty laugh. “You just don’t beat those teams on their home turf. Those are the games that make Meade County proud.” Even after high school careers are over, past players cherish their playing days in Meade County. Former Greenwave quarterback Blake Powers, who lettered four years (2004-2007) while he played for Indiana University, looks back on playing at Meade County with fond memories.