Dedication of Coach "Chig" Ratledge Stadium

Photo by Jammie Graves
Article by Jeff McQueen

On Friday September 24th, 2004, at half time of the Sweetwater vs. Loudon Redskin game, a long overdue honor was bestowed on long time Redskin Head Coach Bert “Chig” Ratledge. On the field was Coach Ratledge, surrounded by his former assistant coaches and players. Retired Assistiant Coach and Principal Jim “Hoot” Gibson came from Morgan Co. to be part of the celebration. The School Board was represented by Mr. Leroy Tate; he read a proclamation honoring Coach and authorizing the new stadium name: “Coach “Chig” Ratledge Stadium”. The Mayor, Mr. Inky Swiney, also presented a proclamation. The cordless microphone on the field malfunctioned; Coach Ratledge didn’t get to make a speech. As a humble man of few words, the crowd would have enjoyed what he had to say. The following is the tribute LHS teacher and Redskin Historian John Napier presented from the press box:

Tonight, Loudon High School payed tribute to one of its most successful coaches, Bert “Chig” Ratledge; by giving this thirty year old stadium his name. From this night forward, the stadium will be known officially as “Coach “Chig” Ratledge Stadium.”

This dedication night is long overdue, because if there is anything magical about the Loudon Redskins’ mystique, it is largely due to Ratledge’s teams. He was the architect of the “Mighty Redskins” and the “Big Red Machine.” Whatever has been lost in recent years, it was Ratledge’s teams that were respected and feared by opponents in the sixties and seventies.

He coached for 29 seasons, and his final stat sheet shows 167 wins, 124 losses, and 9 ties. Of course, much has been said of his three state championships and his 2000 induction into the TSSAA Hall of Fame, but perhaps his greatest legacy is reflected in the hundreds of young men, who over the years learned the game from him. He insisted on toughness, dedication, team work, a never quit work ethic, and playing smart. These same attributes would serve his pupils well when their playing days on the field were long over.

It is debatable which team was his greatest. Two of the twenty-nine teams had perfect records (1962 and 1974), and three of them only lost or tied once (1963, 1969, and 1975). There are several others that believe they were good enough to have played with anybody.

One could also say that very few of his players were what you would label as “great”: great as in “future can’t miss college stars.” The great majority of them were just small town kids who loved to play football, and when their high school careers were over, they went on to other things. But they would always carry the memories of playing for this man; of being on his teams and doing things his way.

So we salute Coach Bert “Chig” Ratledge and his contribution to Loudon High School football. May “Chig Ratledge Stadium” be the home of future great teams, fair play, and hard hitting football. It’s just the way Coach would want it.

Thanks to Jackie Lefler, David Clinton, and countless others for their tireless work in bringing this to fruition.