In memory of Mike Harris long-time Central Y and AAU basketball coach

Coach Mike Harris passed away last week at the age of 53 and here are some of the thoughts about Mike, that have been shared here at the site this week……

Mike Harris served the youth of Greensboro and was a great example to the young men who played for him at the Central Y. He was a great coach and competitor! He spent countless hours picking kids up and taking them home just to insure they had a chance to play and that they returned home safely. I will miss seeing Mike at high school games here in Guilford county, as I am sure many other will too.
Back in the day, he also had a a nice, soft left-handed jumper that he will be remembered for too.
My condolences to his family.
Andy Symmes
Posted by Andy Symmes October 17, 2010

I coached in those Y leagues with Gary, Mike Booth , Dave and Mike Harris and man we had some great battles among all of us but we were all freinds who loved the game and the kids. Mike Harris was a great guy and its a shame another good man is gone. My sympathies to his loved ones.
Posted by Rick Melton October 17, 2010

I want to take time out and talk about a man that changed most of the boys and girls life my age..this man started me on the right path making sure i was on top of my school work and keeping me in the gym…he was more than a coach to me back then he was a father and a person i looked up to ima miss u man and i love you dude…r.i.p. COACH HARRIS
Posted by chris harrelson October 17, 2010

Coach Harris was instramental in developing many of our youth. Not only did he help them become outstanding basketball players, he helped them become fine young men. He will truely be missed. R.I.P
Posted by the Reader family October 18, 2010

Mike Harris, very well thought of and as everyone is saying, we’ve lost another good one……
Posted by Andy Durham October 18, 2010

I had the honor and privilege of working with Mike at the Y as the Sports Director for about 6-7 years. Greensboro lost a legend on Friday! Hawk was a person that I looked up too personally and professionally and sought to be like. The only thing that mattered was that kids got an opportunity. He will be missed greatly by the youth of Greensboro. He played a significant role in keeping young men on the right path! He used basketball as a means to teach kids that they had a shot at achieving everything and anything they wanted to do. Spoke with Mike just two weeks ago and he seemed to be enjoying retirement but mentioned that he was just missing the day to day contact with kids. My condolences go out to his family and I hope they know that Hawk is in a better place.
Posted by Jeff Joyce October 18, 2010

coach mike harris will never be for gotten one of the best coachs to ever step foot in a gym not only did he teach you the game he showed you how to be a better man in this world. R.I .P MIKE HARRIS
Posted by wavey boyd October 19, 2010

Rest In Peace Mike Harris (Coach Harris) an amazing man who did more for young black men like myself than any Government official in Greensboro could ever dream of. we need more people like him in this world and Heaven just got that much better. thanks for everything Coach Harris you will be missed… A Legend as truly been lost
Posted by Matthew King October 19, 2010

Every once in a while a person crosses your path that epitomizes what it means to give unselfishly of yourself. Mike was that person. I moved here 15 years ago and he was one of the first guys that I met, shooting that left-handed jumper at Lindley Park. I can remember him asking me to volunteer coach at the Central YMCA where I continue to coach to this day. Mike knew every youth in the Triad that ever picked up a basketball and for those youth that didn’t pick up a ball he knew of them through the Guilford County school system. I am blessed and honored to have crossed paths with such a giving soul. I thank him for all he has taught my kids and for what he has taught me as it pertains to volunteering and giving back to his community. He is truly a legend and will be remembered for years and years to come. I’m sure Mike is Heaven right now organizing a basketball league; coaches like Mike just don’t walk away from the game. R.I.P Mike, you will never be forgotten and that comes from Devon, Lauryn, and their Dad Richard.
Posted by Richard Sherman October 19, 2010

Hawk will always be remembered in the community. There sure aren’t many people that will take the time to mentor kids and young coaches like Mike did. I hope that all of the people he touched will give back some how. Mike always had encouraging words for me and my 4 boys. The Langleys will miss you Mike. R.I.P.
Posted by Keyford October 19, 2010

Some very good thoughts on Mike and maybe a thought for the day might apply directly to Mike……As Mr. Randy Travis said so well a few years back:

“It’s not what you take when you leave this world behind you, it what’s you leave behind you when you go”……
Posted by Andy Durham October 20, 2010

Sending my deepest condolences to the family of Mike Harris, sad times. Coach Harris worked with my brother when he was a youth during the late 80’s….he has always been around helping kids from as long as I can remember, which is why I made sure my son Jordan got the opportunity to experience one of the greatest coaches ever! Mike, when I finally got up enough nerve to tell Jordan about your passing……his words were “he taught me everything”….I told him that you created a wonderful foundation and his job is to never forget the gifts you gave him, take them and push on in your memory…. Just yesterday he came home with a sticker on his shirt pledging to remain drug free…you played a major part in his decision. Coach Harris, Jordan and I will forever miss you. I appreciate you Mike, thank you for everything…You’re an angel!!! May you rest in peace now. Kimberly and Jordan Westbrook
Posted by Kimberly Westbrook October 20, 2010

*****Feel free to add more comments.*****

9 thoughts on “In memory of Mike Harris long-time Central Y and AAU basketball coach

  1. R.I.P. COACH HARRIS!!! coach harris was for first ever coach wayyyy back at the central YMCA!! Matthew King and i were teammates on his team.. NOT ONLY WAS HE A GREAT COACH BUT A GREAT MAN WHO GENUINELY CARED ABOUT ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE HE WAS AROUND.. A GREAT MAN WHO LEFT HIS MARK ON THE GREENSBORO COMMUNITY!!!!

  2. Mike was a kind and personable man who made a positive impact on many people in Greensboro. RIP Coach.

  3. Mike was one of the greatest basketball coaches i have ever seen at the ymca. He gave so much of his time money and love for these kids He made sure every kid had a chance to play. mike knew the game of baketball and knew how to coach.mike will be hard to replqace. mike we all will miss you

  4. I knew Coach Harris well. We worked together for a few years at a local school and we competed in rival AAU programs. Mike was a wonderful man who really loved working with youngsters. He will be sorely missed.

  5. I have known Mike Harris for almost 30 years. Coach Harris was one of many people I ran across during my youth that helped to develop my love for basketball. That love helped me compete on successful teams at Greensboro Day School under another great coach in Freddy Johnson and eventually at the division 1 the college level. Mike thank you for all you did in the community and you will not be forgotten.

  6. Coach Harris helped me get my first opportunity to coach and was a vital inspiration when I was younger learning the game. I was shocked to hear of his passing. He will be greatly missed.

  7. I still read the tributes given to my big brother on occasion. Thanks to all who took the time to write them. There are plans to have a yearly tournament in his honor. If anyone has ideas or resources to make this happen, by all means let’s talk about it. I can be reached at jabbo_az@yahoo.com. I miss you Big Bruh, may you Rest In Peace.

  8. Mike was a great guy, great coach and great friend. He was part of our team, our coach, for our City League team back in the 90’s. For 2 summers & 2 winters we won the City Championship – me, Gene, Haywood, Don, Terrell, and a just a few others. Those were great times! I’ll miss him. RIP Mike.

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