NewsAthleticsUpper SchoolStudent LifeFaculty/StaffAlumniAdvancementService
Former Darlington coach inducted into Hall of Fame
Sep 2, 2005 1:20 PM
By Tannika King - Faculty
It has been many years since Brian Dulaney (’79) played for Coach Charlie, but he still considers his high school football coach a huge influence in his life.
“He loved his players and he knew how to get each one to perform at levels they never thought possible,” said Dulaney. “When I entered Darlington, I never considered playing football at the next level, but Coach Charlie convinced me that if I worked hard enough I could do it. He was a major factor in my deciding to play football for Auburn University.”
There are hundreds of stories like this about Charles V. “Charlie” Davidson, which is why it is no surprise that Coach Charlie was inducted into the Georgia High School Coaches Hall of Fame on June 4, 2005.
Davidson served as Darlington’s athletic director and head football coach from 1971 to 1984. Prior to his career at Darlington, Davidson coached football and golf at Washington-Wilkes High School in Washington, Ga., and has been inducted into both schools' Halls of Fame. He has also been honored by the Georgia State Senate for outstanding work with the young people of Georgia.
The plaque hanging in the GHSC Hall of Fame reads: “Coach Charlie” made a difference in the lives of his players. He will be remembered as one of the most respected coaches in our state and a true “Legend of the Game” of football.
When he retired in 1984, Davidson was the sixth winningest coach in football in Georgia, and for two years after retirement, he served as athletic director emeritus at Darlington.
“Charlie Davidson was a master at motivating players to give their best on every play. He was well-respected by players and coaches alike,” said Chief Financial Officer Bob Rogers, who coached with Davidson. “I think his philosophy was summed up in the prayer that the team captain read before each game. Charlie would get out an old, folded, yellowed piece of paper from his wallet and give it to the captain. On it was written: ‘Dear God, In the battle that goes on through life as we ask for a field that is fair, an equal chance, and the courage to do and to dare. If we should win, let us win by the code with our faith and courage held high. If we should lose, let us stand by the road and cheer as the winne goes marching by. Amen.’ Charlie would then say, ‘That’s how we play the game. We play fair, we play hard, and we win.’”
Davidson’s record was 244 wins. His football teams won 12 sub-region championships, nine region championships and four state championships. At Washington-Wilkes, Davidson also led his golf teams to 12 region championships and two state championships.
“Coach Charlie had many great football teams at Washington-Wilkes and at Darlington, and I think he is very deserving of this honor,” said Dulaney. “The thing I remember most is his personal relationships with each and every one of his players. He had a genuine, caring interest in their lives on and off the field. To this day, when I see Coach Charlie, he always asks about me and my family.”
Coach Charlie Davidson and his wife, Vickie, live in Rome. They are the parents of three Darlington alumni: Gregg (’72), Michael (’76) and Jody (’78).
“He loved his players and he knew how to get each one to perform at levels they never thought possible,” said Dulaney. “When I entered Darlington, I never considered playing football at the next level, but Coach Charlie convinced me that if I worked hard enough I could do it. He was a major factor in my deciding to play football for Auburn University.”
There are hundreds of stories like this about Charles V. “Charlie” Davidson, which is why it is no surprise that Coach Charlie was inducted into the Georgia High School Coaches Hall of Fame on June 4, 2005.
Davidson served as Darlington’s athletic director and head football coach from 1971 to 1984. Prior to his career at Darlington, Davidson coached football and golf at Washington-Wilkes High School in Washington, Ga., and has been inducted into both schools' Halls of Fame. He has also been honored by the Georgia State Senate for outstanding work with the young people of Georgia.
The plaque hanging in the GHSC Hall of Fame reads: “Coach Charlie” made a difference in the lives of his players. He will be remembered as one of the most respected coaches in our state and a true “Legend of the Game” of football.
When he retired in 1984, Davidson was the sixth winningest coach in football in Georgia, and for two years after retirement, he served as athletic director emeritus at Darlington.
“Charlie Davidson was a master at motivating players to give their best on every play. He was well-respected by players and coaches alike,” said Chief Financial Officer Bob Rogers, who coached with Davidson. “I think his philosophy was summed up in the prayer that the team captain read before each game. Charlie would get out an old, folded, yellowed piece of paper from his wallet and give it to the captain. On it was written: ‘Dear God, In the battle that goes on through life as we ask for a field that is fair, an equal chance, and the courage to do and to dare. If we should win, let us win by the code with our faith and courage held high. If we should lose, let us stand by the road and cheer as the winne goes marching by. Amen.’ Charlie would then say, ‘That’s how we play the game. We play fair, we play hard, and we win.’”
Davidson’s record was 244 wins. His football teams won 12 sub-region championships, nine region championships and four state championships. At Washington-Wilkes, Davidson also led his golf teams to 12 region championships and two state championships.
“Coach Charlie had many great football teams at Washington-Wilkes and at Darlington, and I think he is very deserving of this honor,” said Dulaney. “The thing I remember most is his personal relationships with each and every one of his players. He had a genuine, caring interest in their lives on and off the field. To this day, when I see Coach Charlie, he always asks about me and my family.”
Coach Charlie Davidson and his wife, Vickie, live in Rome. They are the parents of three Darlington alumni: Gregg (’72), Michael (’76) and Jody (’78).
