A year to remember
High school coach sees his students to success
By Anne Marie Kyzer Staff Writer

Coach Purvis Dukes led the Bears to region championships in girls and boys track and field and the best basketball record in school history this year.

A couple of fishing rods stand in the corner of his office, but they're just collecting dust.

Purvis Dukes hasn't had time to go after any trophy bass these last few months, though he's been aching to get in a boat.

The avid fisherman has been tied up landing region sports trophies instead.

In the past six months, Coach Dukes has led teams at Burke County High School to incredible success.

The BCHS basketball team saw the best season in the school's history and the boys and girls track teams both won the region championship for the third consecutive year.

"This was a good year in basketball and track," Dukes said, giving all the credit to the students. "The kids took on the responsibility of working hard. That's all you can ask."

While he appreciates the trophies and the championships, Dukes points to life lessons as the most important part of his job.

"One thing we stress is to be as successful as we can on the court and the track but in the classroom, too. We're trying to produce good citizens," he said.

He reminds the kids that athletic talent alone doesn't go far without some brains to back it up.

It must have sunk in.

All of the senior basketball players have already signed with a college. They'll play football, basketball or both. Most of Dukes' boys are tri-sport athletes.

Seeing students succeed is what makes it all worthwhile for Dukes.

"Seeing that look in their eyes after they've been successful is the best part," he said. "It makes you feel good, especially when they do it the right way."

One recent graduate said it made a difference knowing that Dukes believed in him and expected nothing short of success.

Julius Patterson started playing summer ball for Dukes in the seventh grade. Ever since, he's looked up to his coach as a role model.

Although Patterson's headed off to Albany State University this fall to play football and basketball, he said he wasn't always on the right path.

When Patterson's grades kept him from playing basketball one season, Dukes was the one who set him straight.

"He just wants you to make it. He helps you on and off the court," Patterson said. "He had a big influence on my grades, and he's always there when you need him to give you the right advice."

Patterson pointed to his coach's guidance as the driving force in his life.

"I think if it weren't for him, I probably wouldn't have made it," Patterson said.

Track star Aliegha Brigham echoed Patterson's sentiments about their coach's leadership style.

Brigham, who is headed to her coach's alma mater this fall to run track, said Dukes tells students what they need to hear, whether they like it or not.

"He's like a father-figure," she said. "He's always real with us. He's always told me that no matter how much talent you have, you always have to work hard."

For more than a decade, Dukes has loved seeing students like Patterson and Brigham make it. Just 15 years ago, he was enjoying the same type of success.

Dukes played basketball for the Bears and was on the school's first team to make the state playoffs.

His athletic ability took him to Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina to play basketball for four years.

After earning a finance degree, he made his way back to Burke County.

Despite Dukes' plans to become a banker, former superintendent Doug Day convinced him to coach basketball and track at the high school instead.

Eleven years later, he hasn't looked back.

"I've enjoyed it," Dukes said with obvious satisfaction. "Being from this place makes a difference."

Now that school is out for the summer, Dukes is counting the days until he can spend hours in a boat luring big bass a little closer. When the summer league schedule winds up in June, he's hitting the pond to enjoy the sport his dad taught him to love.

"We're going to get some fishing in," he said, with a broad grin and nodding head. "I'm going to find time for some fun."