The name Beverly Jo Carter is synonymous with Smyrna High softball.
The Eagles’ home softball field bears her name, and Smyrna’s winning tradition in the sport can be traced back to her guidance.
Coach Carter led the varsity softball team for 23 seasons, from 1972-1994. She took the reins of the program shortly after its inception and built it into a state power.
In addition to coaching, Carter taught physical education at Smyrna High.
Coach Carter recently died at the age of 63, but her impact in the Smyrna community remains alive in the memories of friends and former players.
Leading Smyrna to the top
Carter had success throughout her long coaching career, but two of the most memorable seasons came near the beginning and end of her coaching tenure.
In 1975, when Carter could still count her years as coach on one hand, the Eagles completed an undefeated season before the advent of the state tournament.
Another crowning achievement came in Carter’s second-to-last season guiding the team, when Smyrna captured the 1993 state championship. That championship still stands as the only state title won by a girls’ team sport in Smyrna history.
The high school game evolved between the ’70s and ’90s as the pitching became faster and more finesse-oriented, but Carter adapted to the changes and the Eagles thrived.
She also found ways to improve as a coach.
“When she first started, she was kind of raw, just like the girls were,” said Karen Pritt, a former player and assistant coach under Carter. “She really learned the game as she was going along.”
Besides the state title year in 1993, the Smyrna softball team advanced to the state finals or semifinals on a number of other occasions.
In 2005, 11 years after Carter’s retirement, Smyrna High dedicated the school’s softball field in her honor.
Tough, but fair
Pritt, who played softball for the Eagles from ’78 to ’81, said Carter was a “hard” coach, and everyone had to follow the rules.
“It didn’t matter what the weather was; rain or shine, we practiced,” she said. “I remember them plowing the snow off the parking lot so the players could practice.”
Pritt recalled that some people called her “Sergeant Carter” because she was tough.
“Her P.E. class was very structured, very drilled,” she said.
Kristi Blair Lloyd, who played softball from ’92 to ’96, said the Smyrna softball team was very disciplined under coach Carter.
“She was not a yeller, not a screamer, but she was really intense, very disciplined,” she said.
That mentality carried over to the team.
“We kind of took on the personality of coach Carter – we were very focused, determined,” Lloyd said.
Page 2 of 2 - At the same time, Carter still gave her players the freedom to make their own decisions.
Carter knew which players she could let run the bases freely, and she let the pitcher and catcher to call their own game, Pritt said.
“That’s what I picked up from her – let the girls play their game,” said Pritt, who became Smyrna’s head coach after Carter retired.
Carter was tough, but she was also fair.
Cheryl Warren Vest, who played for Smyrna from ’83 to ’86, said that no one received special treatment from coach Carter.
“You had to earn what you got,” Vest said. “She was fair. She put the best nine people on the field and gave us our best chance to win.”
Lloyd remembered that same quality in coach Carter.
“The thing I admired most – it didn’t matter who you were, she still disciplined you,” Lloyd said. “She was very loyal to her players and the town. She wanted us to represent Smyrna in a good way.”
Favorite memories of coach Carter
The former players and assistant coaches recalled a variety of coach Carter’s habits and quirks.
Pritt remembered Carter wearing a red hat with a ball on top at some of the chilly March practices.
Carter drove a yellow truck, and had a Christmas tree farm at her home in Henderson, Md., Pritt added.
Lloyd said Carter would ride around on a golf cart, often to load up equipment and take it to the field.
At one practice when it was really hot, Carter drove up with a pair of giant water guns and started soaking the players, Lloyd said.
On a more personal note, Lloyd said it was hard to separate her time playing under Carter and the friendship they developed after graduation.
“Jo Carter was a great person,” Lloyd said. “She was a straight shooter.”
Pritt said that coach Carter took an interest in her players beyond the softball field.
“She really pushed me and motivated me to become a teacher and coach,” Pritt said.
Pritt described Carter as “just a hard-working, good person.”
“She’s been a very good friend for me over the years,” she said.
Vest commented on Carter’s impact in Smyrna.
“When you’re coaching that long, obviously you’re doing something right,” Vest said. “I think she impacted a lot more people than she ever realized.”
