Eagle coach named to college alma mater’s 2010 hall of fame

By David Thackham

thackhamd@thejohnsonian.com

Call it simple midwestern workmanship, but Winthrop women’s basketball coach Bud Childers loves to fix things up. 

So when the young Childers had a chance to return to his old team at Cumberland College and take over the women’s side already halfway through the season, he didn’t hesitate.

“I was young, inexperienced, looking to get into coaching any way I could, and it was a great beginning,” said Childers.

His efforts at the college are now being rewarded with Cumberland naming him to its 2010 Athletic Hall of Fame Class.  

Childers said his task at Cumberland was not as easy as just restructuring the team and sending them on their way. By his

first full year at the helm, he had a roster filled with players as youthful as him. Thirteen freshmen and a lone sophomore were the tools Childers had at his disposal for the 1983 season. It turns out that was all he needed.

That year, Childers led the Bulldogs to the National Junior College Athletic Association national championship game, establishing their credibility and attaining a remarkable 49-10 record. 

The coach consistently said that team was the best he ever had, calling the experience “amazing.” 

After such a successful stint, however, Childers, almost inexplicably, left the program.

“I think the allure of building and fixing something has always been real attractive to me and I enjoy it,” the head coach said. “I don’t plan on leaving, but it just turns out that way.”

Despite the abrupt exit, his blue-collar work ethic led Childers all around America, coaching at venues as varied as the minnows of Montevallo University in Atlanta, to the storied program of the University of Louisville.

 He notched up two regular-season conference championships at Louisville.

But Childers’ story has now come full circle and brought him back home. 

Cumberland voted the program builder into its hall of fame, among six others.

Childers admitts he was shocked to hear the news.

“It came as a complete surprise. To be considered is an honor, a real thrill,” he said.

What may be even more thrilling are the prospects of Winthrop’s women’s basketball team for this coming season.

The seven-year veteran coach hopes to use his vast experience to lead Winthrop back into contention for postseason play.

“Winthrop is very similar to a lot of the other schools that I took over. We need to look for stability, be consistent, have strong leadership and commit to doing things in a certain way,” he said.

With new assistant coach Tounisia Turner-Lewis at his side and several elite freshmen waiting in the wings, Childers likes the way the future looks. 

He said he’s excited about the youth on his team, with 10 freshmen and sophomores on the roster.

“We’re going to be faster and quicker than ever before. We’re moving to a more dynamic, more explosive play and it’s been a while since I’ve seen that,” he said.

Childers hopes to change the fortunes of Winthrop just as he did for Cumberland. 

The proof of the Lady Eagles’ improvement can be seen in how opponents view the team now.

“Each time I’ve taken over a team, a lot of coaches call me to schedule to play us because they think we’re easy,” Childers said, “but now, they don’t like to call me anymore.”

The Lady Eagles begin their season at home against the Belmont Bruins on Nov. 12, with conference play beginning in January against Charleston Southern University.