SSCC player-coach inspires Patriots
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
His story is one of ups-and-downs. It is a story of life.
The journey of Wayne Noble spans the globe; but for now, the current chapter has settled in Hillsboro.
Noble, a military man, has been shot three times and has been laid off from two jobs due to the tough economic times. But he has continued to fight back, looking life right in the eyes, refusing to fall. His story has become an inspiration not only to members of the Highland County community, but he has become a role model for many area young people.
Noble not only is battling through tough times in his own ife, he is also improving his quality of life as he attends Southern State Community College and is a member of the Patriots men’s basketball team. He is not only a player, but also an assistant coach. Today, he out there running the court with players half his age.
“I am 39 years old, but I played basketball in high school," Noble told The Highland County Press this week. When I was in the Navy, I played on the All-Navy team. It was a team like Wright-Patterson Air Force Base has,” Noble said. “We traveled around and played other military bases and small colleges. I played a lot on the West Coast, mostly in California, where I was stationed. We played a national team from the UAE (United Arab
Emirates). I would compare it to a semi-pro type of basketball.”
Noble arrived in Hillsboro three years ago as he gave up the sunshine of Florida for the variety of weather in Ohio, and worked in Sabina. At the same time, he worked part-time at DHL in Wilmington.
“I was working in Sabina and got laid off when the company I worked for shut down,” Noble said. “Once DHL found out I was laid off there, they offered me a full-time position. Later, I was laid off there, too. Actually, my wife and I both were laid off at the same time from DHL.”
With the couple out of work and a family to raise, Noble and his wife, Lori, decided to go to college.
“I am studying bio-chemical research and that is the main reason I am back in school," he said. "I want to gain a stable job so I don’t get laid off again.”
Once at SSCC, an opportunity arose for the 39-year-old Noble and, just as he did by attending college later in life, he took a chance and made the most of it.
“I was doing work-study with Chief (Southern State Athletic Director Jim Winner) and he mentioned to me there were men’s basketball tryouts going to be taking place soon. I asked him if I was too old. Chief check on it and said no, I could play as long as I had eligibility,” Noble said. “Coach (Ted) Creamer liked how I played and I made the team.”
Then, with the maturity and insight Noble had on the game of basketball, he was offered to be the assistant coach for the men’s team.
“I hurt my foot, and in the meantime, Ted gave me a chance to be the assistant. He thought I could offer some guidance to the younger players.”
Noble, who was a medic in the Navy, has come a long way. While in the Navy, where he served 12 years, ending his time ranked as an E-5, he was shot in the Gulf War.
“I was shot on three different occasions,” Noble said. “I have been shot in the ankle, shoulder and in the middle of the back. I was shot in the Gulf War in 1991.”
Having survived three gunshot wounds, returning to the court has been a way to forget about all the tough times, while having something positive to focus on.
“I guess what drew me back to the game was I missed the teamwork,” Noble said. “Basketball has been something that has always kept me fit and taught me discipline. I love basketball and have been playing since I was 6 or 7 years old.”
What was going through Noble’s mind when he stepped onto the court during the open tryouts?
“I went to the open gym and I wanted to see if I could run with these guys,” he said. “I felt like could help these guys improve their play. Some of these guys can go to a four-year school and play ball and I hope I am able to help them succeed. I enjoy the time with the guys and it feels good to be a part of something again.
“My wife and four kids enjoy going to the games. It gives us a relief from all that is going on in the world.”
Noble said sophomores Tirrell Cumberland and Josh Hawk have the potential to play at the next level.
“Tirrell is such a good and pleasant kid, and Josh has the power inside to continue to play,” he said. “I want to help others and I feel I can help them improve.”
The former Navy medic said even though he is an assistant coach, he likes the fact Creamer treats him like any other player.
“Coach Ted will push me like all the other guys in practice,” Noble said. “He knows I will work hard and he values my opinion. It feels good that I can help get this team to where it should be. They are a talented bunch of players.
“I think these kids coming from small towns and playing nationally ranked teams like we have, while playing in a small community college it is like 'Wow!'”
Noble credits his wife and children for his positiver outlook on pursuing personal goals.
“I would tell anyone who is down on their luck like I have been, that I didn’t think I could do this. But I can and they can do it, too,” he said. “My wife inspired me a lot. I didn’t think I could play basketball with these kids and, once I did, I was amazed. My wife has pushed me and I have made the president’s list with A’s and B’s.
“My kids (including three stepchildren) have seen this and it makes me feel good that they can look up to me and know they can do the same thing.”
Noble’s children include: Jonathan Fletcher, 14, Samantha Fletcher, 10, Ashlynn Simon, 13, and Brandon Fletcher, 4.
The SSCC Patriots return to the court Monday, Nov. 30 at UC-Clermont. For more Southern State Community College, go to www.sscc.edu.[[In-content Ad]]
The journey of Wayne Noble spans the globe; but for now, the current chapter has settled in Hillsboro.
Noble, a military man, has been shot three times and has been laid off from two jobs due to the tough economic times. But he has continued to fight back, looking life right in the eyes, refusing to fall. His story has become an inspiration not only to members of the Highland County community, but he has become a role model for many area young people.
Noble not only is battling through tough times in his own ife, he is also improving his quality of life as he attends Southern State Community College and is a member of the Patriots men’s basketball team. He is not only a player, but also an assistant coach. Today, he out there running the court with players half his age.
“I am 39 years old, but I played basketball in high school," Noble told The Highland County Press this week. When I was in the Navy, I played on the All-Navy team. It was a team like Wright-Patterson Air Force Base has,” Noble said. “We traveled around and played other military bases and small colleges. I played a lot on the West Coast, mostly in California, where I was stationed. We played a national team from the UAE (United Arab
Emirates). I would compare it to a semi-pro type of basketball.”
Noble arrived in Hillsboro three years ago as he gave up the sunshine of Florida for the variety of weather in Ohio, and worked in Sabina. At the same time, he worked part-time at DHL in Wilmington.
“I was working in Sabina and got laid off when the company I worked for shut down,” Noble said. “Once DHL found out I was laid off there, they offered me a full-time position. Later, I was laid off there, too. Actually, my wife and I both were laid off at the same time from DHL.”
With the couple out of work and a family to raise, Noble and his wife, Lori, decided to go to college.
“I am studying bio-chemical research and that is the main reason I am back in school," he said. "I want to gain a stable job so I don’t get laid off again.”
Once at SSCC, an opportunity arose for the 39-year-old Noble and, just as he did by attending college later in life, he took a chance and made the most of it.
“I was doing work-study with Chief (Southern State Athletic Director Jim Winner) and he mentioned to me there were men’s basketball tryouts going to be taking place soon. I asked him if I was too old. Chief check on it and said no, I could play as long as I had eligibility,” Noble said. “Coach (Ted) Creamer liked how I played and I made the team.”
Then, with the maturity and insight Noble had on the game of basketball, he was offered to be the assistant coach for the men’s team.
“I hurt my foot, and in the meantime, Ted gave me a chance to be the assistant. He thought I could offer some guidance to the younger players.”
Noble, who was a medic in the Navy, has come a long way. While in the Navy, where he served 12 years, ending his time ranked as an E-5, he was shot in the Gulf War.
“I was shot on three different occasions,” Noble said. “I have been shot in the ankle, shoulder and in the middle of the back. I was shot in the Gulf War in 1991.”
Having survived three gunshot wounds, returning to the court has been a way to forget about all the tough times, while having something positive to focus on.
“I guess what drew me back to the game was I missed the teamwork,” Noble said. “Basketball has been something that has always kept me fit and taught me discipline. I love basketball and have been playing since I was 6 or 7 years old.”
What was going through Noble’s mind when he stepped onto the court during the open tryouts?
“I went to the open gym and I wanted to see if I could run with these guys,” he said. “I felt like could help these guys improve their play. Some of these guys can go to a four-year school and play ball and I hope I am able to help them succeed. I enjoy the time with the guys and it feels good to be a part of something again.
“My wife and four kids enjoy going to the games. It gives us a relief from all that is going on in the world.”
Noble said sophomores Tirrell Cumberland and Josh Hawk have the potential to play at the next level.
“Tirrell is such a good and pleasant kid, and Josh has the power inside to continue to play,” he said. “I want to help others and I feel I can help them improve.”
The former Navy medic said even though he is an assistant coach, he likes the fact Creamer treats him like any other player.
“Coach Ted will push me like all the other guys in practice,” Noble said. “He knows I will work hard and he values my opinion. It feels good that I can help get this team to where it should be. They are a talented bunch of players.
“I think these kids coming from small towns and playing nationally ranked teams like we have, while playing in a small community college it is like 'Wow!'”
Noble credits his wife and children for his positiver outlook on pursuing personal goals.
“I would tell anyone who is down on their luck like I have been, that I didn’t think I could do this. But I can and they can do it, too,” he said. “My wife inspired me a lot. I didn’t think I could play basketball with these kids and, once I did, I was amazed. My wife has pushed me and I have made the president’s list with A’s and B’s.
“My kids (including three stepchildren) have seen this and it makes me feel good that they can look up to me and know they can do the same thing.”
Noble’s children include: Jonathan Fletcher, 14, Samantha Fletcher, 10, Ashlynn Simon, 13, and Brandon Fletcher, 4.
The SSCC Patriots return to the court Monday, Nov. 30 at UC-Clermont. For more Southern State Community College, go to www.sscc.edu.[[In-content Ad]]