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Special house call for ‘Doc’: Austin honored for his service, dedication
By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
Fred “Doc” Austin is just as comfortable in his office with a stethoscope around his neck as he is in the dugout holding a lineup card. You may call him “Doc” or “Coach” and he’ll respond to either with a smile.
Austin has been involved in high school athletics since 1976. A good portion of that has been in this community ever since he moved to Washington in 1985.
Because of his service and dedication, Austin was honored on “Doc Austin Day” during Tuesday’s Pam Pack baseball game at Futrell Field. Austin, an assistant baseball coach with the Pam Pack, accepted a plaque while a strong contingent of fans, friends, family members, former players and patients showed their approval.
“It’s been my privilege to be associated with Washington athletics,” Austin said following Tuesday’s game. “To the coaches that I’ve worked with and the players, they have all been special people and they’ve made me a better person. It’s been the best of times.”
Though Austin never played at Washington High School, he is still a valuable member of the family. That was never more evident than in 2003 when Austin was inducted into the Washington High School Walk of Fame.
“It’s a great honor,” Austin said at the time. “I know many of the athletes and coaches that have already had the honor of being inducted into the Walk of Fame. I have great respect and admiration for those people, so to be included in that group is a very special event for me. It’s the ultimate honor.
“High school athletics have been a big part of my life, a very important part of my life. To receive this recognition (being inducted into the Walk of Fame) means a great deal to me. I love high school athletics.”
Austin has been an ironman of sorts. Throughout his 30-plus years of athletics, Austin has only missed four football games. He’s never missed a baseball game.
He started his athletic career as a teenager, when he was a star tennis player at his high school. Austin’s skills helped lead to a scholarship at Davidson College.
Austin then went to the University of North Carolina, where he obtained his medical degree and graduated in 1967.
Nine years later, Austin became a team physician at Ballard High School in Louisville, Kentucky. He helped out with the football team, and that was the start of Austin’s involvement with high school athletics.
Austin then helped out with the Ballard basketball team, becoming a part of the team’s state championship in 1977.
His next stop was at Paducah Tilgham High School in Kentucky in 1980. Austin, who helped coach the Kentucky all-stars play Tennessee in football, was a part of another state championship with the Paducah football team.
He later helped out with baseball, which ultimately led Austin to becoming a head coach for the Senior Babe Ruth League in Washington and an assistant coach with the Pam Pack baseball teams.
Whether he’s in loafers and wearing a tie, or in cleats and wearing a baseball cap, Austin feels right at home.
After helping out so many others in the area for over 30 years, it was the community’s chance Tuesday night to pay “Doc” Austin a very special house call.
Austin has been involved in high school athletics since 1976. A good portion of that has been in this community ever since he moved to Washington in 1985.
Because of his service and dedication, Austin was honored on “Doc Austin Day” during Tuesday’s Pam Pack baseball game at Futrell Field. Austin, an assistant baseball coach with the Pam Pack, accepted a plaque while a strong contingent of fans, friends, family members, former players and patients showed their approval.
“It’s been my privilege to be associated with Washington athletics,” Austin said following Tuesday’s game. “To the coaches that I’ve worked with and the players, they have all been special people and they’ve made me a better person. It’s been the best of times.”
Though Austin never played at Washington High School, he is still a valuable member of the family. That was never more evident than in 2003 when Austin was inducted into the Washington High School Walk of Fame.
“It’s a great honor,” Austin said at the time. “I know many of the athletes and coaches that have already had the honor of being inducted into the Walk of Fame. I have great respect and admiration for those people, so to be included in that group is a very special event for me. It’s the ultimate honor.
“High school athletics have been a big part of my life, a very important part of my life. To receive this recognition (being inducted into the Walk of Fame) means a great deal to me. I love high school athletics.”
Austin has been an ironman of sorts. Throughout his 30-plus years of athletics, Austin has only missed four football games. He’s never missed a baseball game.
He started his athletic career as a teenager, when he was a star tennis player at his high school. Austin’s skills helped lead to a scholarship at Davidson College.
Austin then went to the University of North Carolina, where he obtained his medical degree and graduated in 1967.
Nine years later, Austin became a team physician at Ballard High School in Louisville, Kentucky. He helped out with the football team, and that was the start of Austin’s involvement with high school athletics.
Austin then helped out with the Ballard basketball team, becoming a part of the team’s state championship in 1977.
His next stop was at Paducah Tilgham High School in Kentucky in 1980. Austin, who helped coach the Kentucky all-stars play Tennessee in football, was a part of another state championship with the Paducah football team.
He later helped out with baseball, which ultimately led Austin to becoming a head coach for the Senior Babe Ruth League in Washington and an assistant coach with the Pam Pack baseball teams.
Whether he’s in loafers and wearing a tie, or in cleats and wearing a baseball cap, Austin feels right at home.
After helping out so many others in the area for over 30 years, it was the community’s chance Tuesday night to pay “Doc” Austin a very special house call.
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| With loss, Pam Pack baseball team misses out playoff chance |
