A GIFT THAT GATHERS

BY EMILY HEDRICK ’70

The kick-off for Charles and Katherine Forbes’ love of Guilford College came in 1974, when Charles was hired as an Assistant Football Coach. The College, its students, its faculty and the surrounding community quickly became family. Looking back, it was as if the Forbeses had scored a touchdown.

A daisy chain of moves and memories brought the couple back to Greensboro and Guilford College once they decided to retire. After all, like a lot of people, they wanted to be around family.

The Forbeses both grew up in the “two stop-light town” of Gold Point in Martin County in eastern North Carolina. The high school sweethearts headed off together to East Carolina University in Greenville, where Charles played football. After graduation he coached high school football for a couple of years and headed back to ECU for a master’s degree.

His football coaching career involved going back and forth among high schools, where he taught physical education and health, and colleges, including Lenoir Rhyne College, one of Guilford’s long-time rivals. Meanwhile, Katherine taught middle school science.

But the assignment that made the most lasting impression on them both was at the small, liberal arts college run by the Quakers.

Among even die-hard sports fans, in the 1960s and early ‘70s Guilford was hardly known as a football powerhouse. The Fighting Quakers’ losing streak was legendary. Highlights of home games on many a Saturday afternoon were the halftime performances of Highlander-clad history professor Dr. Henry Hood and his small band of kilted bagpipers.

Despite this less-than-stellar record, however, a friend and fellow coach had suggested in 1974 that Charles apply for an opening on Guilford’s football coaching staff. He and Katherine were impressed with the College’s emphasis on community, equality and the role of academics and athletics in development of leaders. The staff was warm and friendly and made them welcome right away. Charles followed his friend’s advice, applied for the job and he and Katherine immediately fit. They had found a home.

Two years later, in 1976, Charles was named Head Football Coach, a position he held until 1991. During that time he became Guilford’s all-time leader in both wins and longevity, and Charles and Katherine became especially close to the coaching staff and their players.

Coach Forbes' players take a break.

Even after they moved away from Greensboro for other jobs, they maintained the ties with their Guilford family. It seemed natural, then, that when it came time to retire, Greensboro was their “end zone.”

Last winter the couple decided to make a substantial gift to the college to benefit current and future student athletes. It’s worth noting that their donation came early in the pandemic when uncertainties about the economy were at their worst.

“We’d had some tragedy in our family, but we also thought we could try to use that experience for good,” Charles said. “And with so many wonderful memories of Guilford, we were glad to have the opportunity to look forward and support the college during one of its toughest times.”

After consulting with the Advancement staff for a project, the couple came up with what they think is a winning score: a multi-purpose room in the Physical Education Center. They envision it as a place to complement Guilford’s community of studentathletes and their coaches.

The yet-to-be-named room will be available to all athletes and coaches for team meetings, study halls, entertainment, refreshments and events. It’s designed as a hub for students to relax and socialize in comfortable Guilfordbranded seating. It will also be equipped with an overhead projection system so teams can watch game footage.

“We were looking to fund something practical not just for the football program, but for every student engaged in athletics on campus,” Charles explained. “We see it as a flexible space that all students can enjoy.”

As Katherine added, “You never know how that ‘Guilford ripple effect’ is going to touch you.”

Completion of the project is tentatively scheduled for April 2021.