Foster to be honored at LHS field dedication

Former school superintendent winningest Blue Devil baseball coach

By Andy Reed

andy.reed@lebanondemocrat.com

Lebanon High baseball will celebrate a new season and facility by honoring the past this weekend.

Brent Foster, the Blue Devils' winningest baseball coach, will be honored Saturday when Lebanon's new Hartmann Drive field is dedicated in his honor during LHS' final preseason scrimmage, against Murfreesboro Central Magnet.

Foster coached 12 seasons, and while records are spotty for the era, he compiled a record in the neighborhood of 249-52, according to records researched by his daughter, Michele Carson. His Blue Devils won six district championships. He is probably the only longstanding LHS coach in any sport who can say he never lost to Gallatin, going 12-0.

He said Tuesday night fun and discipline were keys to his coaching philosophy.

"To have fun, enjoying the sport you're playing in and being a good contributor to the team," said Foster, who also coached the freshman football and basketball teams at LHS. "If you aren't enjoying it...you're wasting your time.

"I believed in discipline. We were probably in better shape than a lot of football teams. I attribute our record to that and having so many good athletes."

He also noted the disparate personalities of the over 200 players he coached.

"Some were comedians, some were real serious kids," said Foster, who went on to serve two terms as Wilson County Schools superintendent. "All were different in their own way.

"It was a real enjoyable experience career being with those young men."