May 13, 2025
Local NewsState & National

Walters State honors Kragel

Court named for legendary coach from Corning

By LARRY PETERSON
Former Walters State coaches Bill Carlyle (left) and Dave Kragel (right) are joined by Walters State Athletic Director Derek Creech prior to the ceremony naming the court after the legendary basketball coaches. Kragel is a Corning native who played at Southwestern Community College, earning All-American status.

Former Walters State coaches Bill Carlyle (left) and Dave Kragel (right) are joined by Walters State Athletic Director Derek Creech prior to the ceremony naming the court after the legendary basketball coaches. Kragel is a Corning native who played at Southwestern Community College, earning All-American status. (Walters State Photo )

MORRISTOWN, Tenn. — Saturday was a special day for the basketball programs at Walters State Community College.

Between the women’s and men’s home basketball games against Shelton State, Bill Carlyle and Dave Kragel were officially honored with the naming of Carlyle-Kragel Court.

Kragel, a 1972 Corning graduate who was inducted in the Southwestern Community College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016, finished his Hall of Fame career as coach of the Lady Senators in 2020 with a 1,009-281 overall record. Under his leadership the Lady Senators won 15 Eastern Division championships, 16 region VII titles and 11 TCCAA conference crowns.

Walters State made the NJCAA national tournament 16 times during the 43 years Kragel coached the women’s program.

Dave Kragel (right side with family and grandchildren) and Bill Carlyle were joined by family at the ceremony naming the Walters State court.

Dave Kragel (right side with family and grandchildren) and Bill Carlyle were joined by family at the ceremony naming the Walters State court. (Walters State photo )

On the other side, Carlyle coached the men’s basketball program for 46 years before retiring after the 2022-23 season. He finished his coaching career at Walters State with a record of 945-428, and an overall head coaching record of 1,188-498. He led the Senators to 12 TCCAA Eastern Divi9sion championships with appearances in nine Region VII championship games, winning six of them. The Senators made the NJCAA national tournament eight times.

The ceremony was held between the women’s and men’s games Saturday. In those games, Kragel’s former player and assistant coach Jasmin Coleman coached the Lady Senators while Carlyle’s former player and assistant coach Jerry Nichols coached the Senators.

Larry Peterson

LARRY PETERSON

Former senior feature writer at Creston News Advertiser and columnist. Previous positions include sports editor for many years and assistant editor. Also a middle school basketball coach in Creston.