Coach Howard West’s Surprise 78th Birthday Party
February 1, 2025
The Maddawg Center . 900 East Mountain Street, Building E, Kernersville, NC 27284
4:30-9:00 PM
Hello all, this is Brian Robinson, R.J. Reynolds Class of 1990. I had the good fortune to play for Coach Howard West during his first two seasons at Reynolds in 1988-89 and 1989-90. I also worked as an assistant coach under Coach West from 1994-98 at Reynolds. Coach West still has an impact on me today as I am sure he has had on so many of you. Over 2023-24, Coach West’s health was not good and while visiting him in the hospital, he talked about all of his players and how much they meant to him. Fortunately, his health improved, and he returned home.
In September 2024, I spent some time with him and his wife, Ellen, at his home going through countless numbers of items from all of coaching years. I sent Ellen a text later in the day asking if she thought holding some type of get together for Coach West involving his former players, coaches and fans from Reynolds could be possible. Ellen was excited about the idea and suggested doing something on his birthday, February 1st. Ellen told me that he misses everyone and just seeing all his players and friends from his time at Reynolds would be the best birthday present he could ever have.
Coach West has coached at several other schools and touched so many lives. I would personally like to invite as many from his other places as possible but would first like to start with those at Reynolds.
If you are interested in attending please fill out the form below.
I am donating my facility, The Maddawg Center, for the evening to hold the event.
The cost to attend the event is $15.00 / person.
The dress code is CASUAL per the request of Ellen West. The time has been adjusted to 4:30-9:00 to allow more folks to attend. We will surprise Coach West at 5:30.
If you would like to donate to his birthday party to help cover the cost of catering, tables / chairs, and custodial services please see the information below.
A list of everyone committed to attend is beginning to post below.
On behalf of Ellen West, thank you.
Brian Robinson, R.J. Reynolds HS Class of 1990.
Coach Howard West's 78th Birthday Party - February 1, 2025
If you would like to use other payments, please see below:
- Venmo @Teach-TheGame
- CashApp $TTGWSS
- Check: MDC – Girls Basketball, 900 E. Mountain Street, Building E, Kernersville, NC 27284
Thanks to our donors and sponsors who have helped to keep the costs down for the party.
- Wali Alston
- Tommy Baroody
- Derik Briggs
- Mark Doughton
- Whit Edwards
- Rana Holcomb
- Lynn Murphy
- Cooper Scurry
- Anne Walter
- Quincy Washington
Confirmed attendees:
- Thomas Amos
- Hailey Blackwell
- Johnathan Blackwell
- Noah Blackwell
- Sally Blackwell
- Derik Briggs
- Joel Carter
- Scott Colter
- Arne Davis (Class of 1979 Tunstall HS)
- Rod Dunlap + Jessica
- Michel Ellis
- Ilian Evtimov (+3)
- Porshe Garner
- Bert Greene
- Shannon Greene
- Tripp Greene
- Keith Gunter
- Rana Holcomb
- Whit Holcomb-Faye
- Lucas Hunter
- Freddy Johnson
- Tommy Johnson
- Larry Jones
- George Lancaster
- Moose Lester
- Kevin Long
- Eddie Lloyd
- Nicole McCollum
- Alexis McCoy
- Chris McCoy
- Mac Morris
- Lynn Murphy (+2)
- Jeff Overby – Assistant Coach at RJR (+5)
- Bud Palmer
- Anthony Parrish
- Ford Perry – Class of 1992 (+1)
- Taylor Pinney
- Julius Price
- Marc Pruitt – RJR Class of 1989
- Angela Rader
- Eric Rader
- Paul Rade
- Brian Robinson – RJR Class of 1990
- Lewis Sapp
- Cooper Scorry – RJR Class of 1993
- Christian Settle
- Brandon Senter
- Teresa Shaffer
- Charlotte Small
- Davd Small
- David Solomon
- Anne Walter
- Chase Walter
- Ralph Walter
- Tom Walter
- George Washington
- Pamela Washington
- Qunicy Washington
- Elaine Watts
- Bradley Wham – Reagan Class of 2009
- Leslie White
- Vernon Williams
- Sylvester Williams
- Sylvia Mironda Williams
- Roland Witcher
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