For the past two decades, the golfing program at Bridgeport High School found consistency and success under Coach Fred Wilhelm. In January, however, the 20-year coaching run of Wilhelm came to an end.

 

As of this month, the next era of coaching will begin. And it will begin with a name familiar to those who have long followed Bridgeport High School athletics.

 

Chris Kerr, a 1997 Bridgeport High School graduate, and city resident has been given the reigns of the program. The recommendation by the BHS administration to hire Kerr was approved this month by the Harrison County Board of Education.

 

For those who know Kerr, they know his background with the sports programs at the school on Johnson Avenue. For those who may have forgotten or may not know, here is a refresher.

 

Kerr was a three-year standout for the Indians playing for Coach Wayne Jamison during Jamison’s final three years with the program. He earned all-Harrison County and all-Big 10 honors as well as notching special honorable mention all-state status as well.

 

Not surprisingly, he earned the same accolades for the Bridgeport basketball team. While most already know Kerr was on three-straight state tournament appearing football teams, he also helped lead the Tribe to the state basketball tournament as a junior where they fell to James Monroe.

 

One thing Kerr did not compete in at BHS was golf. However, considering Wilhelm was a free agent signee in the NFL at receiver is proof that knowing sports and knowing the game without competing in an official capacity is not required.

 

“After college and moving away, my fiancé (Andrea Sapon Kerr) eventually moved back home and all my buddies were here,” said Kerr. “On weekends, they were all golfing and I had already quit playing other sports. They said if I wanted to hang out on weekends I was going to have to learn how to play and that’s where it began.”

 

While the origins in golf did not necessarily lead to him getting involved on the coaching front, Kerr is no stranger to coaching. And he said he got that from those who coached him.

 

“I’ve always enjoyed working with young kids in this area and trying to help guide them in the same way I was guided by so many great coaches,” Kerr said. “There is a long list from Wayne Jamison to Joe Leonette, so many great people like that, who helped me want to coach.”

 

Early on, Kerr began coaching youth soccer. He then volunteered with the Bridgeport Jerry West League where he coached and eventually was the league president for a few years. He also helped create the local girls’ division of the league for fourth and fifth graders that should eventually provide dividends for the BHS program. And last year, he began to get involved with the Bridgeport Middle School  girls’ basketball program.

 

“I’ve been wanting to get more involved and decided to apply for the golfing position. I was fortunate enough to get it,” said Kerr. “I think my strengths will be teaching the mental and strategic parts of the game and lean on the golf pros and teachers the kids work with to hone their technical skills.”

 

The recent appointment as the golf coach was not the only appointment for Kerr. On the same agenda, he was recommended – and approved – for the BMS head girls’ basketball coaching position by the elected BOE.

 

“I feel more comfortable coaching basketball just based on my past and growing up involved in the sport,” said Kerr. “I would probably still be playing if not for getting to the point where you would get an injury and the recovery time was way too long. Now, I’m going to coach.

 

“The big thing with both jobs that I want to instill is you are representing the high school and the middle school as well as yourself and families,” he continued. “I want them to understand the tradition that comes with putting on a jersey that says Bridgeport on it.”

 

Kerr will be using a few of his flex days next month for what is essentially a meet and greet session at the Bridgeport Country Club. The non-mandatory sessions will be on July 11 and July 18 at the BCC at 4 p.m.

 

“I want to meet some of the kids who are with the program I may not know and those who are interested or considering competing in golf,” he said. “I also want to meet the incoming freshmen and have all the kids looking to be involved to meet one another. Even though it’s an individual sport, you’re still trying to win as a team, and you want everyone to be as cohesive as possible. This will be the start of that.”

 

Kerr and his wife Andrea are the parents of two daughters. Both girls, Audrey and Katelyn, are actively involved in sports.

 

“I’m ready to get started,” said Kerr. “We’re looking for success.”

 

Why shouldn’t he? That is something Bridgeport golf has found plenty of over the years.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Chris Kerr during his basketball playing days in the 1990s at BHS, while he's shown on the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort recently in sports he plays today. In the third photo, Kerr is shown at his desk, while he's shown with his wifre Andrea and their daughters Katelyn, left, and Audrey, right in a photo from a recent trip.