The
Legendary, the Magnificent Coach “B”
Mr.
Christopher Baker is retiring from teaching from RC after 32 years.
Written
By: Jordan Ligons and Jordan Pierce
“The Pursuit of excellence is a noble one and I never make apologies for
it.” -Coach Baker
The
Baker, Coach “B”, Mr. Baker, or Coach; there are numerous names for such an
amazing person. The beloved Weights teacher will be retiring from the classroom
after this year and the amount of hard-work and effort he has put into River
City High School will always be remembered. He has left a legacy.
As one
walks into the weight room, it has the aura of Baker’s sanctuary. Looking left
and right, one will see the Raider symbol reflected on almost each wall. The
room is very goal-orientated, with a weekly inspirational quote, which he asks
a random student every Friday to see if they memorized it.
Each
day, after their cardio warm-up, Baker assigns a specific work-out to target
each muscle group. He has created a tradition within the weights classroom. He
teaches full body lifts and techniques for the student’s benefit.
Students
take pride in getting their name on the wall. To do so, one has to lift in
various categories ranging from negative 45 pounds to 100 pounds over one’s body
weight for guys and about negative 65 pounds to 30 pounds over for girls. Baker
also relies on the philosophy of “The Big Three”: squats, dead lifts, and bench
press.
All the
weights placed back in their rightful spots, every sport is very conscious of
the equipment after using the weight-room in sheer fear of Baker’s wrath and
being called a “Scrub Jay”.
Coach
Baker not only teaches in the weights classroom, but also out on the field and
on the court. Thirty-six years total since being hired as the Co-Head Freshmen
Football and Assistant JV Basketball Coach at his alma mater Washington High
School in 1976, Baker continues to enlighten athletes on a daily basis.
The
impact that he has is limitless. “Coach B has been a father figure to me. He’s
taught me mostly everything I know about football,” senior Myles Matamoros
expresses about his football coach that he’s had for all four years of high
school.
Matamoros
continues, “There will never be another Coach Baker. No one will be able to
have such an impact on so many generations of students as Coach Baker has.”
Senior
Isabella Gomez had Baker as a weights teacher since her sophomore year. He also
taught her older brother and sister years before. “Coach Baker has not only
helped me be a better person but also work hard in everything I do. He helped all
years of basketball, but this year especially because of my injury.”
Gomez
was the starting center for RC’s women’s basketball team when she suffered an
ACL knee injury against El Dorado in January.
“He made
me realize that I would be okay and that this one season of basketball doesn’t
describe me. He made sure that I was still involved in the team and the season.
He always makes me reach for whatever I want to do.”
Coach B
symbolizes a true raider. By definition, a raider is an attacker and a force to
be reckoned with.
Mr.
King, Earth Science and Leadership teacher and also head women’s basketball
coach, says that he’s happy for Baker and his retirement but also sad for
himself and the school in its entirety. “He’s one of those people we heavily
rely on; he symbolizes the school,” King states, who has known Baker for 26
years.
King
says Baker is the primary reason he’s a teacher and a coach; he’s a second dad
to him and impacts him greatly.
Mr.
Watkins, World History Teacher and assistant varsity football coach, has known
Baker for 17 years. “Coach B has had an impact on every coach…He sets a great
example on how to lead young men and women. Regardless of sport or record he
always makes an effort to reach out and encourage other coaches.”
“It is a
coach’s job to ensure that his players are giving their best effort both in
practice and in games. Commitment is not a part time thing. If you desire to be
a champion, you have got to work harder than your opponent. It’s not glamorous,
but it’s necessary. I tell players to bring their hard hats and lunch pails. We
are going to get after it,” Coach Baker shares wise words about his coaching
style.
Ms.
Anderson, the dancer teacher, has known Baker for three years and feels like
the kids here truly look –up to him and respects him. “I feel sad [about Baker
retiring]. We are losing a good person; he’s a positive role model to the
student body.”
He has
transitioned from three school sites, two school names, but has been one of the
few consistent influences on the Raider community. Coach B will still be seen
on the sidelines of the Raider football field underneath the Friday night
lights. If you see him around campus, give him a fist bump and a Diet Pepsi.
Baker:
thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to making the lives of those
around you better— thank you for leaving a Raider legacy.
