BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

LOUISVILLE — Kentucky’s Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher paid tribute Monday to the late Frank Baldridge, beloved legendary academic coach from Martin County.  Baldridge was posthumously honored with the 2025 Kentucky Association for Academic Competition (KAAC) Legacy Award.

The award was presented following the KAAC state tournament finals in a ceremony held at the Galt House Grand Ballroom.

Fletcher grew up in Martin County and competed in academics throughout his schooling. He credited Baldridge, his former coach, with profoundly shaping his life and the lives of countless others.

“I want to say thank you to each and every coach in here today,” Fletcher told the audience. “What you’ve done for students across the state cannot be measured. And I want to take a moment to talk about one coach who made a difference in my life,” Fletcher said. “He started by wanting to give a small eastern Kentucky school system a chance. A chance to dream, a chance to persist and a chance to succeed.”

Baldridge, a longtime academic team coach at Sheldon Clark High School, made it his mission to expand opportunities for students in Martin County. His mentorship, Fletcher noted, gave students access to experiences they might never have imagined.

“It was due to this man that I was on my very first plane ride, the very first time I saw flat ground, the first time I was on an escalator, the first time I went to a steakhouse, the first time I saw a body of water bigger than the Tug River, and the very first time I went to a major league baseball game,” Fletcher said. “There are so many firsts that this man gave not only me but to several others across Martin County.”

Beyond his impact in Eastern Kentucky, Baldridge helped to shape the KAAC itself, even serving as interim director. His guidance, Fletcher noted, also helped shape the careers of many professionals.

“He helped coach some wonderful people,” Fletcher said, turning to Baldridge’s family, who were in attendance to accept the award. “And better yet, he raised some great young men and women who are here to represent him tonight.”

Fletcher shared a lighthearted memory about Baldridge’s commitment to coaching, recounting how his dedication sometimes blurred the lines between his professional and personal life.

“He spent so much time with us on the academic team that one night he got home and the door was locked,” Fletcher said, drawing laughter from the audience. “He came in, and she said, ‘Let me introduce you to your children.’ And then they became part of the academic team. As a matter of fact, Tom spent more time on my lap on a bus than anything else.”

As he presented the award, Fletcher recognized the immeasurable impact that coaches like Baldridge have on the students they mentor, shaping lives far beyond the classroom.

“So on behalf of all these coaches, it is my honor to give the next legacy award to Mr. Frank Baldridge,” he said.

As Baldridge’s family stood onstage accepting the award, they knew the honor was one he never would have sought for himself.

“He would have said others deserved it more than him,” Sue Baldridge said of her late husband.

Yet, for his family, former students, and the many educators and competitors gathered in the room, the award was a fitting tribute to a man who spent over 40 years shaping the academic landscape of Eastern Kentucky.

“The award is a reminder of how passionate Frank was about the kids in Eastern Kentucky,” said Sue. “He wasn’t only pushing for the kids of Martin County but for all of the kids in Eastern Kentucky to be rewarded for their brilliance. So this award just reminds us of how passionate he was.”

After retiring from teaching, Baldridge returned two years later to serve as the county’s academic coordinator, again ensuring that students in Eastern Kentucky had the same opportunities as their peers in larger, better-funded districts.

Though he passed away in September 2020, his influence lives on in countless students like Fletcher, whose lives he touched. His passion for helping others also lives on in his own children, who have continued his commitment to public service and education:

Wendy Graney serves as the Circuit Court Clerk in Shelby County.

Marie Slone works as a Guidance Counselor at Notre Dame High School in Covington.

Thomas Baldridge volunteers as a high school basketball coach at Great Crossing in Georgetown.

“Frank built a legacy on helping people, and his children saw that and learned from it,” said Sue.

Baldridge’s love for Eastern Kentucky ran deep. Though he grew up in Ohio, he spent summers in Martin County, where his family was from. As a child, he developed a strong connection to the region. After earning his college degree, he chose to return as an educator. He recognized the barriers that students in the area faced, and he made it his mission to provide them with access to opportunities that could change the course of their lives.

“He knew the people of Martin County were overlooked but also knew education and exposing students to opportunities could help them achieve more,” said Thomas.

Baldridge also understood the power of education on a personal level. Coming from a family where none of his brothers had graduated from college, he became the first in his family to earn a degree, inspired by his passion for the University of Kentucky. That milestone, his family believes, fueled his lifelong commitment to helping others succeed.

Baldridge’s coaching career was filled with achievements as he led Sheldon Clark’s academic teams to regional, state and national success. Among his teams’ notable accomplishments included in records uncovered through 1996:

• Third place in the state KAAC competition (1991), behind Tates Creek and Dupont Manual.
• Fourth place in Quick Recall (1991).
• Winners of the 1991 Fayette County Invitational Quick Recall, competing against the state’s top teams.
• 1991 Hi-Q Champion in Huntington; competed at Nationals at Rice University, defeating two nationally ranked teams.
• Multiple state top-10 placements for individual students, including Mitchell Sartin, who became a state champion in Social Studies.
• Regional championships in 1987, 1991, and 1995.
• District championships spanning multiple years, including 1988-1993 and 1995-1996.
• Numerous conference titles in the Eastern Kentucky Academic Conference (EKAC) and Northeast Kentucky Academic League (NKAL).

Baldridge was part of the first class inducted into the KAAC Hall of Fame in 1997, cementing his place in Kentucky’s academic history. For the legendary coach, though, success was never about trophies or titles—it was about students.

Thomas believes his father would have said, “Thank you, but it was never about me; it was always about showcasing the talent of the students.”

Baldridge’s understanding of his students was what made him such an effective mentor. He had a unique ability to connect with young people, whether through bringing real-world situations into a lecture or cracking a joke at just the right moment.

“His witty personality made him a joy to be around. His vast knowledge made him someone everyone wanted to talk to and learn from.”

Baldridge’s devotion to others was not confined to the classroom. As a preacher and pastor, his faith was a guiding force in his commitment to service. Whether through coaching, teaching or ministry, his life was defined by a desire to uplift those around him.

“I just wish he was there to accept his Legacy Award and see all those people gathered together,” Graney said. “Dad wouldn’t have wanted to be on that stage, and he would have shed some humble tears. We did that for him today. He lives on in all of us, and we miss him every day.”

And in a final tribute, the Baldridge family shared these words in his honor: “Congratulations, Daddy. May your legacy continue to inspire for many years to come.”