Pinewood Christian Academy Honors Eddie Durrence
Coach Eddie Durrence was born on August 1, 1951, to the proud parents of Edsel and Wynell Durrence. Eddie and his two sisters, Debbie and Jane were reared on a farm in Mendes, GA surrounded by the love of their parents. Although he loved the farm life, his passion was for sports, especially basketball and baseball. Eddie graduated from Glennville High School in 1969, where he lettered in varsity basketball all four years. After High School, he attended Middle Georgia College in Cochran, GA. Upon completing an Associate in Science degree there, Coach Eddie returned to Mendes to work the family farm and to marry his high school sweetheart, Libby Thompson. Eddie and Libby were blessed with five daughters, all of whom played ball for their daddy.
Eddie`s coaching career began with his daughters on the T-Ball fields of the Glennville Recreation Department. From there, he landed a position at Pinewood Christian Academy (PCA) in 1987, as the Varsity Girls` Softball head coach and later became the Varsity Girls` Basketball Coach in 1989. Coach Eddie coached softball for 24 years from 1987 until 2010. He coached Girls` Basketball for 25 years from 1989 until 2013. In 2009, Coach Eddie received the GISA Coaches Association Distinguished Service Award. Coach Eddie molded and shaped the lives of countless young people at PCA.
Coach Eddie was able to coach in 17 final state championship games and won 12 of them. As a softball coach, his career record was 638 wins and only 95 losses (87%). In 24 years, he won 18 region championships, was the state runner up 3 times, and was state champion 8 times. As a head basketball coach, his record was 611 wins and 220 losses (74%). In 25 years, he won 8 region championships, was state runner up 2 times, and was state champion 4 times. Winning percentage is important, but not nearly as important as the lives that Coach Eddie has touched during his 25 year career as a coach at Pinewood. With 25 years in the profession, this number of lives is in the thousands. Coach Eddie Durrence has made an outstanding impact in lives at Pinewood Christian Academy.
The night of January 9, 2016, Pinewood congratulated Coach Eddie Durrence with a plaque commemorating his successes. In his absence, the plaque was accepted by his 5 daughters, their husbands, and 11 grandchildren. The plaque was placed in the hallway entering the gym to serve as a reminder of all of Eddie’s accomplishments. Coach Eddie will always be one of Pinewood`s greatest heroes.
By: Harleigh Proman
