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redskinfbco92
06-04-08, 12:40 AM
From Cincinnati.com

Chambers leaving Withrow
Posted by TomGroeschen at 6/3/2008 8:57 PM EDT on Cincinnati.com

Withrow baseball coach Tom Chambers called tonight to say he is leaving the school after a total of 41 years as head coach. Chambers, one of the prep scene's most colorful and outspoken characters, said he plans to help start the fledgling baseball program at Riverview East Academy on Kellogg Avenue. Riverview, a CPS school which has grown to K-12, will start playing varsity baseball as an independent next season.

Chambers was 576-439 at Withrow, including 10-12 this season. Withrow made a state tourney appearance in 1982, and Chambers said his teams won nine league titles. Chambers' long list of players includes Ron Oester, Tony Scott and Shannon Penn, who all reached the major leagues.

"I'm not happy with the way some things are at Withrow now, so I've decided to go," Chambers said. "I dearly love Withrow, but it's to a point where some of the people in it are just different."

Chambers cited the dismissals in recent years of boys' basketball coaches Steve Gentry and Walt McBride and longtime girls' basketball coach Fred Willis, who all were non-renewed within the past few years. Chambers also said he has had trouble getting players to come out for baseball in recent years, with participation sharply down among inner-city youth.

Chambers wasn't at Withrow all the past 41 years. He stepped aside for a couple of seasons (2000-01) to help start a program at Cincinnati State. When that college was unable to make a go of baseball, Chambers returned to Withrow. He retired several years ago as a Phys Ed/Driver's Ed teacher, and in recent years has just been coaching the baseball team.

"I'm staying in baseball, that's the good thing," Chambers said.

Old School Viking
06-05-08, 12:19 PM
Coach Chambers is a Cincinnati legend . It is too bad he feels he must leave Withrow. Good luck with the new program at Riverview.

playboi12
06-05-08, 04:22 PM
it was an honor and privilage to have played under that man. A real class act who cared about the kids and the program. i hate to see him go