The 'Eagle Times' Student Newspaper: Features

CJ Hamilton, Silver Lake football coach, gets ready for a big game. (Photo by Karlee Brunner)

Hamilton reaches impressive milestone

Coach joins elite "300" club

By Chelsea Reid

October 09, 2008

Three hundred wins is an unbelievable number that most high school coaches only dream of. Silver Lake’s football coach, CJ Hamilton, recently reached this impressive number on Friday, Oct. 3, when two undefeated teams went head-to-head. Silver Lake challenged the St. Marys Bears, beating them 36-14.

"This win was rewarding. We were playing at home against a good team and we won against a good team. It also gave us a good chance to win the league title again," Hamilton said.

Only two other coaches in the state of Kansas have reached 300. Hamilton joins Clyde’s Ed Buller (335) and Sedan’s Les Davis (308) in this amazing achievement.

"I don't feel any different than I did before, but maybe after the season is over then I will have time to reflect on it. Right now, it's getting ready for Riley County and business as usual," he said.

Hamilton is obviously not driven by the honors he receives.

"I appreciate it, but it's not my motivation. That's not what drives me. It's not what makes me go to work each day. What makes me go to work is being with the kids. And finding a way to make that average player good, that good player great, and that great player extraordinary. That's the driving force," he said.

Hamilton moved to Silver Lake when he was a junior and graduated in 1969. He returned to Silver Lake in 1973 as the head football coach. He then went to Washburn University to serve as an assistant coach from 1977-1978, and a year later, he came back to Silver Lake to coach again. Today, he remains the face of Silver Lake football. In a ceremony last year, the school even renamed the football field after him.

Hamilton is always focused and ready for the game. (Photo by Karlee Brunner)

"I really feel like my niche is with the high school kids. I enjoyed my time at Washburn; it wasn't that I didn't enjoy it. It was just the idea that I felt at ease in the high school setting. That's where I felt I could make the most impact,” he said.

Hamilton's success with Silver Lake football has been outstanding. In his 33 years of coaching, he has only had four losing seasons, none since 1993. Silver Lake has played for the Class 3A state title 13 times. They have won the title six times in 1981, 1984, 1989, 1991, 1997, and 2006.

"Playing in the state games 13 times has been exciting because that is our goal. It's our tradition and level of expectation," he said.

At all home and away football games, almost the whole town of Silver Lake is there to support and cheer for the football team. Hamilton gives credit to his players, coaches, and the community members for helping him reach his 300th win.

Fans cheer at the St. Marys game in which CJ obtained his 300th win. (Photo by Jenna Yoder)

"My players were aware of the 300th win, and our pre-game on Friday was the best we have had all year. They were all focused and ready to play.

"I've got great assistant coaches that I have been with for a long time. They understand their roles and they prepare themselves very well. They communicate with the kids well and get their points across.

"The community has had great support. They know and understand the tradition here and they know the history of it. There's pride in the perspective of there's been a lot of people involved in making it happen."