Tuskegee Institute High School Basketball Coach Ernest Washington

Tuskegee Institute High School Basketball Team was the first school to win the 6A Classification in the State of Alabama in 1985. Not only that, they were the First All Black High School to do so without a feeder/junior high school program. In 1991, TIHS became the 5A Alabama State Basketball Champs. He was also the 1991 State Coach of the Year in the State of AlabamaHe also started the first all Black HS Golf team in the State of Alabama.

Why did Coach stop coaching after he won the 1991 State Championship and was the 1991 Alabama State Coach of the Year? Well, his reward for winning - he reported to work and was told he was no longer athletic director and assistant principal at THIS but he would be asst. principal at Notasulga and Head Basketball Coach at TIHS. The Athletic Director position was given to someone else and his salary cut. He went home and NEVER coached again.  The marker to commentate the 1985 win was also removed. There is nothing to commemorate either the 1985 nor the 1991 State Championship Teams. The Marker to commemorate them was on Highway 29. He was told the State of Alabama wanted the sign taken down however, this was never verified but sources say someone in a political position had it removed. 

Coach is a member of the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame and the Calhoun County Sports Hall of Fame. He is listed as one of the coaches with the most wins (basketball) in the State of Alabama according to the ahsfhs.org website. 

Coach is currently 87 years old. The time is now to recognize him, the 1985 and 1991 Teams and his accomplishments.  Let's recognize his accomplishments and how he impacted many young people during his career.