Huntsville's Living Legend

VYPE: What do you teach and what other sports have you coached? Berry: I teach geometry and every year I have taught either geometry or algebra. I've coached baseball, was a track assistant and also an assistant football coach. I coached both the boys' and girls' teams until 1988 when I just went with the girls. At the time, it was the only girls' sport, and I knew I would have an opportunity to work with the girls year round and then could have a better team. Now, it all evens out with volleyball, softball and soccer. I'm not sorry I went that way. Girls love to compete and to please the coach. VYPE: You didn't start coaching until you were 26. What did you do before then? Berry: After high school, I went into the Air Force for four years and am a Korean vet. I came back and went to Arkansas Tech. VYPE: Who is the best player you have ever coached? Berry: I would have to say Sheila Burkes (who played with the Arkansas Lady Razorbacks from 1984-87). She had good size, quickness and a heart for playing. She was a good basketball player. VYPE: Where does Martha Robinson (6-1 junior post) rank? Berry: She's not finished yet. She has a chance to be just as good as Sheila. But, she's just a junior this year. VYPE: What is your best memory? Berry: We won state twice (including last year), but my greatest thrill was in 1983. We got beat in the finals. To get there, we had to go to Wynne, who was ranked number one, in the first round. My daughter Liz hit a game-winning basket in overtime. VYPE: How has the game changed? Berry: It has changed so much particularly in going from 3-on-3 to 5-on-5. I thought the world was coming to an end when it changed, but it was the best thing that ever happened to the game. The other thing is girls' basketball is really big in Northwest Arkansas. It has evolved and become as important as the boys' game. Last year, we played Shiloh in a senior girls' game, and it was the only game that night. The gym was full. Now, everybody is excited about this year's team. VYPE: Has your coaching style or philosophy changed? Berry: I haven't changed too much. We do get the ball up and down quicker than we used to. I have always wanted to play man-to-man defense, and we still play it. VYPE: What motivates you to come back every year, especially after you talked about retiring several years ago? Berry: As long as I keep my health and enjoy doing it, I'll keep coming back. I still like it, and I'm not sure I would enjoy retirement. I love to teach as well as coach. I could just teach and be happy. VYPE: When will you know it's time to retire? Berry: When I don't enjoy it and don't feel like it. One thing I do enjoy is going to the coaching clinics. I would definitely miss the associations with the other coaches. VYPE: What has been your most challenging team or time in your career? Berry: I felt like last year was the biggest challenge I had. We were miserable about the year before when we were 26-3 and lost in the first round of the regional tournament. We had 10 kids back and the respect, but I had to remind them it might happen again. It didn't and last year was one of my most rewarding years. VYPE: Tell us about your family and what you do when you're not coaching or teaching. Berry: My only daughter Liz is married to Bryan Law, the assistant superintendent at Farmington. She teaches third grade, and they have Brittany, a freshman at Northwest Arkansas Community College, and Zack, an 8th grader. My wife, Deanna and I play golf, and I have 35 cows. I love to go to any type of game, so I stay busy.