By By Kerry Whipple Bean
publisher
Over two decades, Jamie Riggs has created a winning tradition at T.R. Miller High School.
Thursday night, he was honored for the integrity with which he has coached 20 years of football teams as he was named Citizen of the Year at the annual Brewton Area Chamber of Commerce dinner.
For Riggs, “winning is of importance, but more important is winning the right way,” state Rep. Alan Baker said as he introduced Riggs. “There is a pronounced focus on team.”
Under Riggs’ leadership, players have taken part in a number of community service activities, including the cleanup after Hurricane Ivan and Habitat for Humanity building projects, said Baker, a former assistant coach for Riggs.
Riggs is president of the Alabama Football Coaches Association and has won XX state championships in his years at T.R. Miller. Under his leaderhip, the Tigers won 117 games during the 1990s, including a 27-game win streak from 1994–95.
Riggs was surprised by the award — he thought he was invited to the dinner to introduce an award for Baker.
Riggs, a Brewton native and graduate of T.R. Miller, said coaching in his hometown has been special to him.