The Faith of the Blind Coach. Nathaniel Farley Jr.

      The Faith of the Blind Coach

      Nathaniel Farley Jr.

      Copyright © 2019 Nathaniel Farley Jr.

      All rights reserved

      First Edition

      NEWMAN SPRINGS PUBLISHING

      320 Broad Street

      Red Bank, NJ 07701

      First originally published by Newman Springs Publishing 2019

      ISBN 978-1-64531-396-0 (Paperback)

      ISBN 978-1-64531-397-7 (Digital)

      Printed in the United States of America

      Table of Contents

       A Brief History of Stanton High School

       The Legacy and Accomplishments of Coach James P. “Bubbling” Small

       Teachings, Leadership, Mentoring, Disciplines, Adjustments, and Wisdom

       Early Impression and Impact of Coach Small and New Stanton Senior High School

       Everyone Had a Nickname

       Helping Others to Be Successful

       Introduction to Real Life/ Responsibilities/Consequences and Lessons Learned under Coach Small

       The 1962 Football Season and Lessons Learned During That Year

       Years of Life’s Teachings, Lessons Learned under James P. Small at New Stanton Senior High School (1962–1965)

       Sunday Morning Newspaper Article

       “Blue Devils Drill for Season Opening Title Run”“Lessons Learned, Discipline and Adjustments Made”

       Preparing for Homecoming

       Coach Small Had Faith in Me

       A Game of Teachings/Faith/Adjustments/Trust/Life Lessons

       Our Homecoming Activities for the Year

       The 1963 Basketball Season, Lessons Learned, Disciplines Taught, and Requirements and Expectations by Coach Small

       A Delayed Football Season and Final Lessons Learned from Coach James P. “Bubbling” Small

       Sunday’s Article, August 16, 1964

       Walking Back from Pensacola, Florida

       Blue Devils Play Rivals Saturday Night

       The Article on November 22, 1964

       Testimonial for Coach James P. Small Set Friday Night

      Dedication

      I would like to dedicate my book to my father Nathaniel Farley, Sr. and my mother Mary Martin Farley, my wife Vivian M. Farley, my children Nathaniel Farley, III, Ashley Nicole Farley, and my grandchildren Nathaniel Farley, IV & Nah’Terria Cynthia Farley-Weaver.

      To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. It was by their faith that people of ancient times won the Favor of God.

      Hebrew 11 verses 1 & 2 from the Good News Bible (GNB)

      A Prayer to the Readers

      Dear Lord, bless those who have purchased this book. Bless their families, loved ones, and even their enemies. I pray this book will be an inspiration to all who read it.

      I also pray that each reader will see the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” as it relates to the rich history of Stanton High School and appreciate the contributions of James P. Small. In the name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen, Amen and Amen.

      Acknowledgments and Credits

      First, I would like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me another chance to complete my first book, The Faith of a Blind Coach.

      I would like to thank my parents who gave me life and legacy.

      Additionally, I would like to thank Vivian Maxine Hart Farley, who is my partner, but most importantly my wife for forty-five years and counting, whom God allowed to give birth to our two beautiful children, a handsome son, Nathaniel Farley III, and a beautiful daughter, Ashley Nicole “Princess” Farley.

      Together, Vivian and I are thankful for our two wonderful grandchildren from our son, a handsome grandson, Nathaniel Farley IV, and a beautiful granddaughter, Na’Terria Farley-Weaver, my second princess (but don’t let Ashley know. LOL.)

      I am also grateful to my spiritual father, Bishop Dr. John E. Guns, my church family, and partners of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Florida.

      Second, I would like to thank the staff of the Microfilm Department of Jacksonville Public Library at the Main Library for football articles from the Florida Times-Union Newspaper clippings (1962–1964), also New Stanton Senior High School yearbooks for the pictures (1962–1965), football teams, marching bands, baseball teams, basketball teams (boys and girls), and track team.

      Thanks to Judge Brian Davis and Mr. Charlie Kennebrew, both my brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Mr. Lawrence Jordon, president/CEO of Morning Star Communication and Doubleday Publishing Company and also a very dear friend for their encouragement to continue writing and completing this informative book about Coach James P. Small.

      Thanks to the late Mrs. Tonya Brockington, Mrs. Patrica Goff, and Mrs. Grealdine Williams-Baker for their eyes in editing my manuscript for publishing. Also, thanks to my friend and neighbor, Laroda Barnes, for assistance with editing and for providing me a quiet place to complete this work.

      Thanks to The Newman Springs Publishing Company, Mr. James Carrol, the Editing Department Team, Melvin and Liz Dennis for their constant encouragement, and Marketing Supporter Mrs. Monique Dennis-Spence and daughter Sydney Spence. Mr. Ronald Garvin, thank you for allowing me to use some of your pictures.

      Finally, I would like to thank Mrs. Jacquelyn Small Thomas, Coach Small’s daughter, for making sure that the information about her father is correct and accurate. Thank you so much for your insight, knowledge and help when his eye sight had begun to fail and documentation of his life events.

      Introduction