Archives 12-27-2006

Sports

Farris takes 4th in state gymnastics
David Sadler named to Hall of Fame in Coalinga

Farris takes 4th in state gymnastics

courtesy of Vanessa Farris
Jordan Farris, a 7th grade student at Livingston Middle School, recently finished 4th on vault and 7th All-Around for Level 6 at the Tennessee State Compulsory Gymnastics Meet in Murfreesboro. She competes for Victory Gymnastics in Cookeville, and has competed in 5 other meets throughout the 2006 season. She finished 3rd All-Around at the Fall Festival in Hendersonville, 5th All-Around at Foothills Classic in Maryville, and 2nd All-Around at the Turkey Tumble in Lenoir City. Jordan is the 12 year-old daughter of Vanessa Farris of Livingston and Darrell Farris of Jamestown.

David Sadler named to Hall of Fame in Coalinga

courtesy photo
David Sadler, of Livingston, next to a poster highlighting his induction into the West Hills College Hall of Fame.

courtesy photo
By his side to show their support and pride as David Sadler was named to the Hall of Fame at West Hills College in Coalinga, CA, include John Sadler and family, Nan Ola Sadler, David's wife Pam, his children, David and Terri, his 88 year-old aunt Elizabeth Davis, and numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces.

By BECKY OLIVER, OCN staff David Sadler was honored by being named to the Athletic Hall of Fame at West Hills College in Coalinga, CA, on November 4.

After graduating from high school in 1963, he attended and played football at the California school.

Other Livingston Academy graduates who preceded him in the '50s at Coalinga were Melvin Johnson, Charles Lewis Bilbrey, Gerald Cravins, Jack Keisling, Ken Rose, and A.J. Hawkins, all of whom were recruited by Chip Poindexter, son of Charlie Poindexter and brother of John Tom Poindexter.

Sadler played on the team that won the first major bowl game in the school's history in 1964. As #27, he played linebacker and served as defensive captain. He aided the team in defeating Santa Barbara City 41-19.

Leading the team in tackles and pass interceptions, he was one of the leading tackers in junior college football in the nation for that year.

The Coalinga Falcons were ranked the 9th junior college team in the nation in 1964.

After leaving Coalinga, Sadler returned to Tennessee and attended Tennessee Tech University on a football scholarship.

He was starting linebacker and letterman for Tech in 1966. That year, he participated in the first game ever played on the college's Overall Field.

"Because of some poor choices, I left Tech and pursued a career in construction work," he said.

"After 25 years, I made life changes and returned to Tech."

His second time around, he graduated from TTU, this time earning a bachelor of science degree in Health and P.E. and a master's degree in Psychology/Agency Counseling.

Sadler taught school in Overton County for most of a decade before starting businesses in the field of drug/alcohol recovery, offering intensive outpatient treatment.

In attendance to support Sadler at the Hall of Fame dinner in Coalinga were John Sadler and family, Nan Ola Sadler, David's wife Pam, his children, David and Terri, his 88 year-old aunt Elizabeth Davis, and numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces.

He said of the honor, "I am humbled and so very grateful to receive this recognition, but most of all I am thankful to have had God intervene and give me the 12-Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous."

As a recovering alcohol addict himself, Sadler asks that anyone who has a problem in this area contact him at the Livingston office, (931) 403-3577, in Cookeville at (931) 528-2258, or in Crossville at (931) 456-7551.

Sadler takes his efforts of helping others recover from substance abuse very seriously, and he takes on the responsibility of making sure those who want help get it.

"If you drink or do drugs, that's your business. If you have a problem with it, though, it becomes my business."

The weekend of Sadler's recognition in the West Hills College Hall of Fame was special to Sadler for other reasons than the obvious.

The Friday he flew out to California, November 2, marked 20 years since he had taken a drink. He said if he had not found the road to recovery, he likely would not have been alive to receive the honor.

Sadler's time in football earned him prestige some 40 years later, but it is evident that his current use of time is much more beneficial, to him and those he assists.

Awards are normally given to those who set sports records or make the news; but if awards were given to the true heroes, many behind the scenes, such as Sadler, would be in the spotlight.

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