Southeast Lauderdale football coach Calvin Hampton dies in wreck
LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Miss. (WTOK) - A wreck on Highway 19 South Wednesday afternoon claimed the life of Southeast High School head football coach, Calvin Hampton.
Mississippi Highway Patrol Sgt. Andy West said the call came in to dispatch around 1 p.m. A 2008 Peterbilt tractor/trailer, driven by James Risher of Pulaski, was traveling south on Hwy 19. Risher was not injured. Hampton was traveling east on Long Creek Road. The two vehicles collided in the intersection of Hwy 19 and Long Creek Road.
Lauderdale County School District superintendent Dr. John-Mark Cain released a statement:
“The Lauderdale County School District is extremely saddened by the tragic loss of Southeast High School Head Football Coach Calvin Hampton. Coach Hampton was loved by his current and former players throughout Lauderdale County. His positive impact on the lives of our students and those he coached alongside will live on. We ask for continued thoughts and prayers for our Southeast schools and Coach Hampton’s family during this difficult time.”
Hampton was in his second year as head coach of the Southeast Tigers. Prior to that, he spent three years as head coach at Meridian High School, where he graduated in 1998.
“Coach Hampton was not only our friend, but a real leader and role model for our young men and women," said SE principal, Russell Keene. "He impacted so many lives all through his career, not just here at Southeast but through everywhere he has been. He would always have a little charisma about the things he did and he was really funny. He was really a bright light to us and he’s definitely going to be missed so deeply.”
Along with coaching football, Hampton also started and coached girls powerlifting at Southeast Lauderdale.
Southeast Lauderdale High School posted condolences on its Facebook page:
To our Tiger Family: It is with great sadness that we pass along the news of the loss of Coach Calvin Hampton. Coach...
Posted by Southeast Lauderdale High School on Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Words of sympathy came from others as well.
Prayers for our friends at Southeast Lauderdale. May the peace of the Lord fill your hearts during these trying times.#LamarSchool #GoRaiders#TigerStrong
— Lamar School Sports (@lamarraiders) October 21, 2020
During his time as a Wildcat, Coach Hampton impacted many lives of the players and students he came in contact with. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and the Southeast and Lauderdale County School District community during this tragic time. #AlwaysAWildcat
— Meridian Schools (@MPSD_Wildcats) October 21, 2020
I’m stunned.
— Rashaad O'Neal (@Rashaad_O5893) October 21, 2020
Coach Calvin Hampton was nothing but a cool dude to me during my time as a sports anchor/reporter at @WTOKTV. He had a huge impact on so many young athletes and was a huge role model.
My thoughts are with Meridian, MS. I know this is a huge loss to your community.
Adam Kramer was a friend and teammate of Hampton at the University of West Alabama. He posted a tribute to his buddy on Facebook Wednesday night.
Not much of a public, social media-tribute guy, but then again Calvin D Hampton wasn’t exactly a regular man. Big...
Posted by Adam Kramer on Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Sgt. West says the cause of the accident remains under investigation.
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