KING — It is truly the end of an era for the West Stokes baseball program as coach Kirk Goodson announced he is stepping away for a second time. He and long-time assistant coach Eric Lickfeld started the program when the school opened in 1999 to when they both stepped away for the first time in 2016. In 2023, both returned to the diamond and has enjoyed the last two years of building more memories with the program.
“It’s time,” Goodson said. “I told Dr. [Sam] Jones that I would commit to a year and stuck around for two. It has been a lot of fun being back out on the field with the players and coaches and forming those life-long relationships with the guys.”
Goodson cited two of the biggest reasons for stepping aside: his family and Backward K Academy, a business he runs with Lickfeld.
“Lea Ann and I enjoy our four grandkids, and spending time with them is important to us both. They are only young once and we want to soak it all in while we can,” Goodson said.
“Also, It is hard running a business and coaching and not feeling like I’m giving 100% to either. If you know me, I’m all in, and if I feel like I cannot do that, then it’s time.”
Goodson has won 328 career games at West Stokes, has a winning percentage of .683 (328-152) with 16 state playoff appearances, has had seven 20-win seasons, won seven conference tournament championships, six conference championships and was recognized as the conference coach of the year on six different occasions.
His teams advanced to the second round of the state playoffs four times, third and fourth rounds twice, and had a regional appearance in 2005. Before coaching at West Stokes, he spent five seasons at Grayson County High School, winning a Virginia State Championship.
“We greatly appreciate Coach Goodson and what he means to the West Stokes community,” stated Principal Dr. Sam Jones, who played for Goodson from 2003-06. “He has provided stability to the program, and as successful as he was coaching, he wants his successor and the program to flourish and accomplish even more in the future.”
“Coach Goodson has been an amazing coach, mentor and leader of young men at West Stokes High School,” added the school’s athletic director, Jason Sammons. “His legacy is legendary for this area, and he will be remembered as one of the greats in Wildcat coaching history.”
The Wildcats finished 20-6 this past fall and will return 15 players for next season with the potential plan of keeping the current assistant coaches, including Lickfeld.
“Hopefully we have left the program in a great position for the next head coach,” said Goodson. “We focused on building relationships and that God and family should come first. The coaching staff wanted to lead by example in the way we present ourselves, which included praying before every game.
“I want to thank my wife for supporting me over the years. It’s never easy being a coach’s wife, but she has been the best and I’m very thankful for her and everything she has done for me and our family.”
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