David Forrester
2024 Inductee
David Forrester served CVHS from 1985-1988 on the sideline football chain crew. He worked the football chain crew for RHS from 1989 to 2019. As a parent of Ridgeland High student athletes, he volunteered his time to help build the softball and baseball fields/stadiums. He was part of the crew that built and sold a home to raise funds for the baseball stadium. All four of his children are Ridgeland alumni and so far 3 of his grandchildren are alumni. All of his children happen to be employed by Walker County Schools.
As a lifelong supporter of the Ridgeland community, he has been indirectly and directly involved in many Ridgeland programs, including softball, baseball, basketball, and football. He was a major contributor of his time and skills to the facilities that we see today in the baseball and softball programs. He enjoyed spending Friday nights along the sidelines for 34 years. He got to work alongside a good group of guys, James Johnson, Steve Byers, and David Long. He also enjoyed watching our football teams over those years. During his 34 years, he was able to watch some of the Ridgeland stars and stand on the same sideline as some of the visiting teams’ stars, which include such names as Vonn Bell, Mike and Devin Bowman, Markeith Montgomery, Trevor Lawrence, and Nick Chubb. He is proud to be a lifelong supporter of Ridgeland High School.
I began helping Coach Parrott out as assistant athletic director in 2009. Perhaps one of the largest duties he gave me was setting up and preparing for Friday night home football games. There is a lot that goes into that. One of my first nights helping set up I remember seeing the chains laying there on the sidelines before the game and a pit swelled in my stomach. I thought, “oh no, I did not realize I needed to get volunteers to run the chains”. In a panic I run to Coach Parrott, what are we going to do? We didn’t get anyone to work the chains. He assured me we have folks coming. And sure enough, Mr. Forrester and his crew strolled on over to the chains and assumed their positions. I never again worried about finding volunteers to work the chains on Friday night…until 2020 I guess. For 34 years no one ever had to worry about finding volunteers to work the chains on Friday night. For 34 years Mr. Forrester strolled on up and grab the chains. And he did it with a big old grin, like he was thankful to have the opportunity to do it. What a gift. He is a great gift to this community and I am so happy to celebrate and honor him tonight. Thank you Mr. Forrester for all the ways you have given to this community and this school.
—Tim Sparks
