BLACK HISTORY FALCON FACTS: Star Pitcher And Coaching Legend Lester Wilder

RALEIGH, N.C. (Feb. 26) – Everyone knows that the legendary Lester Wilder was a terrific coach at Franklinton (N.C.) High School.

But did you know he was a flame-thrower of a pitcher at nearby Saint Augustine's University?

Before he became an iconic coach, Wilder was one of the best hurlers around. He was an All-CIAA pitcher with a bright future. In fact, his teammates voted the left-handed Wilder to be the "most likely to go pro."

They were right in a sense. Wilder did have a successful career – as an iconic high school coach. For 41 years, folks in the state and beyond knew him as the "face" of Franklinton High School.

His girls basketball teams were often small but merciless. Opponents who underestimated their size were ran off the floor.

Coach Wilder once said to The Charlotte Observer about his 1993 state 2-A finalist squad, "We are very, very, very unimpressive in warm-ups. You'll see us and think we're not very good. But when the game starts, well…watch us then!"

When Wilder retired in 2017, his teams had accumulated over 500 victories and 10 conference championships. He was league coach of the year nine times and coached two conference MVPs.

Defense was Franklinton's calling card. The Red Rams kept high scoring teams in check, which aided them come playoff time. They were regulars in the Eastern 2-A Regionals that features the state's final four East teams. At one point in 1993, the same year they made the state finals, the Red Rams were ranked No. 1 in the state among 2-A girls teams.

TV crews such as WRAL highlighted the Franklinton girls, and newspapers kept track of the team's success.

Wilder was more than just the girls basketball coach. During his tremendous tenure at Franklinton, he was the school's athletic director and head coach in football, baseball and volleyball among other sports.

Most importantly, Wilder was a mentor to the students. His impact still resonates to them as adults.

"Playing for my dad was a pleasure in hindsight. He treated me no different, and just as he did his players, he expected my full potential. It wasn't just basketball; it was four seasons of life lessons." - LaTasha Wilder Crudup, the daughter of Coach Wilder. She played for her father at Franklinton High School.

"Playing for Mr. Wilder was like having your dad as the coach...there's no telling what was going to fly out of that mouth of his. You knew when he was happy with you, and if he wasn't, then he would throw his jacket back, put his hands on his hips, cock his head to the side and ask (and I quote) 'Kelley what are you doing? You ain't doing a doggone thing,' while still being able to maintain that infamous toothpick he had stuck in his mouth. Playing for him was the absolute best! He was always there for us, never gave up on us even when we wanted to give up on ourselves and, most importantly, he was very knowledgeable of the game! He had a way of bringing out the best player within you! He was just overall a great man and coach!" - Kelley Bural Oakley, a Saint Augustine's University alumna and former Lady Falcon basketball student-athlete. She played for Coach Wilder at Franklinton High School.

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