Durwin Carpenter has made a profound impact on the girls basketball program in his 16 years at Pillow Academy.
Under the guidance of the veteran coach, the Lady Mustangs have won three MAIS Overall championships, nine state championships and 15 conference championships.
Pillow headmaster Termie Land knows the school is fortunate to have Carpenter and says he is well-deserving of the honor that is soon to be bestowed on the coach.
On Saturday, Carpenter will be inducted into the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Coaches Association Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Jackson at the Hilton Hotel Ballroom.
"Pillow Academy is proud to have Coach Carpenter. He's been a quality coach for a long time. His record speaks for itself," Land said. "And the good thing is that Durwin is also a great person and very deserving of such a high honor."
Carpenter is thrilled to be joining the MAIS Hall of Fame.
"This is a big thrill for me and my family," said the former Delta State basketball player. "I have been very blessed over my coaching career. I have had a lot of outstanding players over the years that have helped me get to where I am now."
Carpenter, 58, is beginning his 38th season of coaching in the MAIS. He started his career at Grenada Lake Academy, where he worked for a year before coaching 20 seasons at Central Holmes. He has won 848 basketball games in his career.
The numbers are impressive, but Carpenter said coaching is about more than that to him.
"I just really enjoy working with and coaching young people. There are always ups and downs in coaching, but it's been a pure joy watching all these players move on to be so successful in life," said Carpenter, who also serves as athletic director at Pillow.
He has coached track in the past at Pillow as well as at Central Holmes. He has been a part of two state track championships and eight North state titles.
Carpenter was inducted into the Delta State Alumni Coaches Hall of Fame in 2005. After graduating from Holmes Community College, he played at DSU and received his degree from DSU in 1973.
Tickets for the banquet are $30 each and can be purchased by calling Amanda at (601) 932-2007.
• Contact Bill Burrus at bburrus@gwcommonwalth.com.
