The Bay Minette City Council recognized two longtime coaches who have both spent more than 30 years on the sidelines of youth sports in Bay Minette.

During the Dec. 5 council meeting, Rec Director Blake Clark presented plaques of appreciation and gifts to Johnny Palmer and Barry Hurst and thanked each for their dedication. Both Palmer and Hurst have coached basketball and football for city league sports. Hurst also represents the City on the Baldwin County Youth Football Association board.

Mayor Bob Wills and Clark praised both men for their commitment to the youth of Bay Minette and their selfless dedication to betterment of youth sports in our community.

“The Recreation Department cannot say enough about how grateful we are to have had two amazing coaches helping our youth programs for so many years. Barry and Johnny have impacted countless youth players over 30 plus years, teaching them the skills and fundamentals of sports and giving them a guide to success in Life,” Clark said, adding that most people in town refer to them as Coach instead of their names. “They have given up numerous hours of their busy lives to these kids and have affected so many lives within this community on and off the field.”

The Council also honored the Bay Minette 8U Grey Football for making it all the way to the Baldwin County Youth Football Association Super Bowl Game. The team finished the season as the division runners-up with a record of 8-3, having defeated Gulf Shores, Central Baldwin White, Central Baldwin Maroon, Foley, Daphne Purple (twice), Fairhope Gold and Elberta.

Pete Watson served as head coach and Dillon Goins and Marcello Palmer are assistant coaches. Clark presented each team member with a certificate and gift and unveiled a new banner which will be hung at the Rec Center.

“We watched as a group of young men endured throughout the season fighting hard each and every game to make it all the way to the Super Bowl. These players were relentless whenever they took the field, even fighting hard to come back from behind and win in the semifinals to move on to the Big Game,” Clark said. “Although they came up a little short, they fought hard and it was great watching Bay Minette play for another championship. We are excited for the future of our youth football program and the future of athletics in this great city.”