Friday, October 2, 2026
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Cherryville, NC (WNN) - After six decades of coaching, Dr. Bud Black has officially retired. He was once dubbed as “Mr. Basketball” by the late Cherryville Eagle Sports Editor, Ronald “Scoop” Kiser. A moniker well-earned due to his uncanny ability to resurrect faltering basketball programs. Although he coached other sports, including baseball, football, and cross-country, basketball was his first love and the sport with which he will be most closely associated when remembered in years to come.
His fingerprint will remain on Ironmen basketball for many seasons to come as well. The letter Dr. Black sent to current Ironmen Coach Antonio Griggs, announcing his retirement, has been received with mixed feelings. Although everyone is happy for him to take a much-deserved rest, there is sadness in no longer seeing his familiar face on the Cherryville sideline.
Dr Bud Black with other Cherryville Ironmen Coaches
Coach Antonio Griggs
Coach Black will be honored for his more than forty years of coaching in Cherryville at the Ironmen’s January 7th game against Burns High School.
Black’s mother, Ruby Black, had played basketball herself and passed on the love of the game to her son at a young age. His father nailed a basketball hoop to the side of the house, and young Bud was given a basketball for Christmas that same year. The game took over his life from that point. Dr. Black was born during a simpler, yet tougher era.
His humble beginnings began with his birth on January 12, 1943, in a log cabin that was built in 1758. He would play basketball in junior high and high school in Cherryville. Although not always a starter, Black made the most of his opportunities. He was proud to just wear the uniform; it was an honor, and contributing to the team was icing on the cake. This is when he would learn that being part of the team is being part of something bigger than just one player.
The realization came to him that athletics is an extension of the education program, as athletics bring pride through a practiced discipline. He would carry this epiphany into life as he would go on to teach and coach for most of his life. Dr. Black has been married to his wife, Anne Bonds Ware Black, for over 63 years. They have two sons who are attorneys in Raleigh, NC, and three grandchildren.
Dr. Bud Black is well known for his coaching success; however, he has also spent many years in education. He is a former mathematics instructor at Cherryville High School, among others. A fact some may not know is that he has almost as many degrees as a thermometer. Continued education has been as important to Black as athletics.
His dedication to expanding his mind and knowledge might be one of the reasons he has such a great mind for coaching. After graduating from Cherryville High School in 1961, he would spend a year at Wake Forest University, where he played basketball. He would graduate from Wingate Junior College with an Associate of Arts degree and then from Campbell University with a Bachelor of Science degree before beginning his coaching career in 1965.
Coaching duties did not slow his academic pursuit. Next was his NSF in mathematics from University of the South (TN) in 1969, Master of Arts from Appalachian State University in 1970, two certificates of advanced studies in 1971 for mathematics and teacher education, the next year he would earn his education specialist in education leadership, he would earn his first doctorate a PHD from Walden University (MN) in 1975, two more degrees were earned in 1991 an Associate of Science from Edison State College(NJ) and an Bachelor of Arts from the University of New York.
In 1995, he received his Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts from Edison State College (NJ). Most recently, in 2017, he earned his second doctorate, this one in Theology from Newburgh Theological Seminary (IN).
His commitment to never cease learning might be the reason he says, “The greatest reward in coaching has always been watching young men grow into responsible, successful adults.”
Reflecting on many years of coaching, Dr. Black says, “Coaching has always been more than a profession; it has been a calling, and I am grateful for every player, coach, and team that has been part of the journey.” A quick look at some of his coaching assignments over 60 years.
At several schools, he took over struggling programs and turned them around, including Cherryville, Watauga girls, Cramerton, and West Lincoln High Schools. On a collegiate level, he took over losing programs at Sandhills Community College and the women’s team at Gardner-Webb University, and led both to winning seasons.
It all began at Clewiston High School in Clewiston, Florida, in 1966. This stint included coaching baseball and basketball. The Clewiston gymnasium was only a few years old, as many nearby schools still played basketball outdoors.
The first game drew about 15 spectators, and by the end of the season, the gym was packed. The Miami Herald even ran a front-page story describing how Clewiston was becoming a “basketball town.” From 1966 to 1968, he served as head coach for both football and basketball at Cramerton High School in Cramerton, NC.
He guided them to a playoff season. In 1969-1970, Coach Black was at Watauga High School in Boone, NC, where he led the girls’ team to its first-ever winning season. In 1971-1972, he took over a losing program at Sandhills Community College in Southern Pines, NC, and produced an 18-win season. He would lay the foundation in Cherryville from 1982-1984 that would lead to one of the first prestigious seasons for CHS during the 83-84 season, when the 27-3 season saw the Ironmen advance to the Western Regional finals, where they suffered a heartbreaking two-point loss.
The next season would see David Watkins build upon that foundation laid by Black. This 84-85 team would bring home a 2A State Championship.
From 1984 to 1990, he would take a university professor position at Gardner-Webb University as he coached the girls’ basketball team. The program he took over had been losing with only one win the previous season, and in his first season, he guided them to a 19-win season, followed by a 23-win season that was a record standing for over 30 years.
From 1992 to 1994, Coach Black once again helped a team record its first winning record in many years when he went to West Lincoln High School. His career would wind down in Cherryville, where he was an assistant and interim head coach during his tenure from 1994 to 2025.
Some have called Dr. Black a miracle worker on the hard court, as he has used his phoenix-like powers to resurrect slumping programs and guide them to success. Yet, he is prouder of his players’ accomplishments off the court.
He has seen former players be successful in business, becoming doctors and lawyers among other professions. “One of my favorite challenges in coaching was taking over struggling basketball programs and guiding them to winning seasons”, says Black of his long-storied career.
In 2000, Coach Black was elected to the Cherryville Sports Hall of Fame. An even bigger recognition came in February of 2007. He was given the distinction of having the playing surface in Nixon Gym named in his honor. The court is now known as Bud Black Court.
The night of January 7 will be a special and emotional night for Dr. Black as he will walk to center court for one final bow during the Ironmen’s game against Lincolnton High School. As he bids farewell to the school, team, and court where he spent many years of his life, the school, community, and team will recognize him for a job well done and many memorable games and seasons.
Reflecting on his time coaching in Cherryville, “another great joy in my career was serving in various coaching capacities as head coach, interim head coach, and assistant coach alongside outstanding leaders like Scott Harrill and Antonio Griggs. I’ve also been blessed to work for decades with loyal colleagues Dennis Tate and Alfonso Graves.”
Coach, you have earned your retirement, and it’s time to sit back and relax. We at Wise News Network would like to join in congratulating you on a job well done.
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