CHILDERSBURG, Ala. – Childersburg High School baseball and Head Coach Will Donahoo paid tribute to two program legends on Saturday, April 4, as the numbers of Coach Mike Box and Coach Chad Slaten were officially retired.
Number 1, worn by former player and late legendary Coach Mike Box, and number 17, worn by former player and legendary Coach Chad Slaten, were honored in a ceremony that celebrated their lasting impact on the program.
Both coaches brought tremendous passion and tradition to the Tigers baseball program, helping it become known as a state powerhouse. They brought blue maps back to Childersburg and will forever be remembered as champions.
Coach Mike Box’s grandson, Payton Haisten, delivered a heartfelt tribute reflecting on the accomplishments and lasting impact Coach Box had on both the program and the community.
Over 17 seasons as head coach of the Tigers, Coach Box won more than 200 games, with his teams capturing state championships in 1967 and 1977. He helped more than 30 players earn college scholarships and coached four Major League Baseball draft picks, including Johnny Simmons, a first round selection by the Kansas City Royals in 1969. Coach Box also founded the Childersburg Babe Ruth League.
Mrs. Debbie Box, along with their children Wes Box, Jenny Hall, and Jason Hagan – as well as several other members of Coach Box’s family and former players – were all present for the retirement ceremony. It served as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact he made not only on the field, but within the community and across generations of players who wore a Childersburg uniform.
For many in attendance, Coach Box was more than a coach. He was a mentor, a role model, and a standard setter whose influence could still be felt throughout the program decades later. His legacy was not just built on wins and championships, but on the way he poured into the lives of those around him and helped shape what Childersburg baseball would become.
That same standard and tradition carried forward for years under Coach Chad Slaten. I had the privilege of playing for Coach Slaten for four years. During that time, we won three county championships, four area championships, and a state championship together. Everyone who played for Coach Slaten would tell you he was the ultimate players’ coach who believed in relationships.
He was the first to hug your neck and the first to get on you when needed, but he always got the best out of his players. Beyond his knowledge of the game, what made him special was how much he genuinely cared about us. We did not just learn baseball. We learned about life.
We celebrated together, we faced adversity together, and we built memories that will last forever. I could go on and on about how much he meant to me, but this moment was bigger than that. It was about the legacy these two coaches created in our community and across the state.
We have all heard the saying, “Leave it better than you found it.” Both coaches clearly did just that. That is not to say others did not contribute to the program, but these two legendary coaches took it to another level.
Over 21 seasons as head coach at Childersburg, Coach Slaten won nearly 500 games and later surpassed that milestone while serving as head coach at Sylacauga. During his time at Childersburg, his teams won 17 area championships, including 10 consecutive titles, along with 12 county championships and two state championships in 2002 and 2007.
One of his most impressive accomplishments was helping 39 players earn college scholarships. Coach Slaten was always quick to credit his players and assistant coaches. He often said that as a coach, he never threw a pitch, hit a ball, or fielded a ball to help win a game. While that humility defined him, it was clear none of that success would have happened without his leadership.
He was one of the best to ever be part of the game, and much of his success came from the support of his wife, Karen. Any coach will tell you that being married to a coach is not easy because of the time and commitment required, but she has always been incredible. He has also been blessed with two great sons, Reid and Ryan.
Childersburg hosted Beauregard following the ceremony, as former players, coaches, and fans gathered to celebrate the occasion and honor two of the greatest figures in program history.Â
You can listen to the broadcast and hear stories shared by former players and Coach Slaten with David McCurley on the Tiger Sports Network On Demand.
