East Ridge High School volleyball coach Catherine Neely watches her team play Friday at East Ridge. This is Neely’s 50th year of coaching volleyball.CELEBRATION SETEast Ridge High School will help Catherine Neely celebrate her 50th year as the school’s volleyball coach on Sept. 19. The public is invited, especially former East Ridge players, parents and all local coaches. A presentation will take place between the junior varsity match and the varsity match against Central, which is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. A reception is planned for after the match. Those unable to attend but wanting to send well-wishes are asked to mail them to assistant coach Diana Brock, 623 Pine Brow Trail, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
In 1964, the Beatles made their American television debut with a live performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” That same year, Catherine Neely made her debut as head volleyball coach at East Ridge High School.
The famous rock group managed to stay together for about six years. Neely is still going strong in her 50th year on the Lady Pioneers’ bench.
That’s actually where the coach will be today, inside the gymnasium named in her honor, when East Ridge takes on Sale Creek in a match at 5:30 p.m. And on Sept. 19 the school will pay tribute to Neely’s half-century of service with a presentation before a match against Central and a reception afterward.
Diana Brock and East Ridge softball coach Sandy Mauser are helping coordinate the event. Brock played for Neely and has been her assistant coach the last 23 years.