Eddie Ashley: Southwest Macon High School

Ashley was inducted into the Georgia Dugout Club Hall of Fame in 2004.

There wasn't a coach in Bibb County who knew the high school scene better than Eddie Ashley. In fact, Ashley worked in the Bibb County School System his entire career.

The legendary coach passed away on November 20, 2020.

Ashley was inducted into the Georgia Dugout Club Hall of Fame in 2004.

After graduating from Lanier High and the University of Georgia, Ashley coached baseball, football and basketball at Northeast, Southwest and Southeast high schools. He helped start the athletic program at Southeast in 1989 when the school opened.  The school has since closed.

He was the head baseball coach at Southwest and Southeast and compiled a 333-165 record in more than three decades on the diamond. In 46 seasons of coaching, Ashley never had a losing season.

Ashley had many achievements. He revived the Lem Clark baseball tournament in 1977 and won it as a head coach in 1979, 1984, 1987, 1992 and 1994. He was named the Georgia Athletic Region 4-3A Coach of the Year in 1986 and 1987. He led his teams to seven sub-region titles, five region titles and one appearance each in the state quarterfinals and semifinals.

He coached the Georgia Dugout Club South All-Stars three times and was an assistant twice. He also coached Team Georgia in the Sunbelt Classic in 1993. Ashley was a key figure in helping change the name from the Atlanta Dugout Club to the Georgia Dugout Club to make it a statewide organization.

Ashley was inducted into the Macon Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. He served as the Bibb County Schools Athletic Director for seven seasons before retiring in December, 2017.

Some information in this article was used from The Macon Sports Hall of Fame.