Waverly names Downtown Gym basketball court after legendary coach CD Hawhee

WAVERLY − Basketball is a tradition that runs deep at Waverly High School. Fans know it whenever they arrive at the Waverly Downtown Gym for a basketball game, or reflect upon the years of history lined on the walls surrounding the court inside.

Now, another piece of that history has been enshrined on the court.

On Saturday night, between the junior varsity and varsity games of Waverly's matchup against Jackson, Waverly High School hosted a ceremony for the renaming of the floor of the Downtown Gym to "CD Hawhee Court," after former coach and athletic director Carroll Dwight "CD" Hawhee. A gathering of Hawhee's former players, as well as his family, all came together on Saturday to ring in the naming of the court.

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Bob Thompson, former Waverly and Ohio State basketball player, served as one of the keynote speakers during the ceremony. Thompson played for Hawhee's 1966-67 Waverly squad that earned an undefeated regular season record before closing the season out at 19-1.

"We had a committee of former players, school administrators, the athletic director here at Waverly and whipped this thing together," Thompson said. "It was a great honor for me, because Coach Hawhee played such a big part in my life. It was a great honor to be the player that spoke for the rest of the guys.

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Hawhee was not only one of the foundational coaches in Waverly basketball history but for the school system as a whole. Hawhee served as the athletic director from 1947 until his retirement in 1979, and during that time he coached football, baseball, basketball, track and field and golf.

Some of Hawhee's greatest accomplishments as a coach came with his basketball teams. He accrued a record of 477-214, and his teams went on to earn four sectionals, six district titles and one regional. His 1969-70 team also reached the state Final Four.

Hawhee earned the Paul Walker Award in 1978, which is given to an active coach who has made significant contributions to the sport. He was inducted into the Naismith National Hall of Fame in 1982.

Now, his remaining family have another piece of history to remember him by. Hawhee's daughter, Robin, was present for the ceremony, along with his grandson Drew Anderson, along with Anderson's wife Alex and their son Smith.

"He was a legend, right, and everyone now that walks in this court is going to know his name forever," Anderson said. "You talk to anyone here that's a basketball fan and they'll know the name CD Hawhee ... It's good to have that and be here with my son, and for him to see that there's a legend in his blood."

Although Hawhee's name is now enshrined forever along the sidelines, the current layout is only temporary. When the court is resurfaced in a few years, a more permanent logo with his name will be installed along the sidelines.

The ceremony lasted just a few minutes. But his family soaked in every second. Smith even cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially ring in the new name. Hawhee enshrined himself as a legend within the Waverly community, and his family, friends and former players all assembled to honor his memory once again.

Years will pass. Memories might fade, but the name, and the legend, will remain.

"It's just great that that name is going to be on that floor forever," Anderson said. "My aunt Robin's really the only Hawhee left, so now that name's going to be there forever and I couldn't be more proud of the family and what he accomplished here. It's just awesome."

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Waverly dedicates Downtown Gym basketball court to legendary coach