WS Chronicle

Yellowjacket nation is mourning the loss of coaching legend Alfred Poe. Poe, who held various positions at Carver High School, died on Friday, Feb. 14. He was 82 years old.  

A native of High Point, Poe earned a tennis scholarship to attend N.C. Central University (NCCU) where he earned his bachelor’s deree. While at NCCU Poe earned numerous accolades on the tennis court including All CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association). He was also inducted in the NCCU Sports Hall of Fame.  

After undergrad, Poe furthered his education at Morehead State University where he earned his master’s. Degree. He took his first coaching job at Livingstone College, before beginning his career at Carver in 1972. 

As the Yellowjackets head basketball coach, Poe was arguably one of the most successful coaches in school history. He took Carver to the Western Regional championship games two years in a row in 1996 and 1997 and won more than 300 games as head coach.  

In addition to coaching the boys basketball team, Coach Poe also coached football, track and tennis. He would go on to serve as Carver’s athletic director for 12 years, until his retirement in 2009. While serving as athletic director, he was also an assistant coach on the girls basketball teams that won NCHSAA state championships in 2001 and 2007.  

For his commitment to shaping the lives of hundreds of student-athletes, Coach Poe was named Coach of the Year three times, he’s a member of the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Sportsmen Hall of Fame, and an inaugural member of the Carver High School Sports Hall of Fame. The gymnasium at Carver is named in honor of Poe.  

During an interview with The Chronicle in 2019 while discussing his time spent at Carver, Poe said, “When I worked at Carver, it was like a family. I hope that I was able to help my players and when they say nice things about me, it makes me feel that I have done my job.” 

Throughout the week, dozens of former players took to social media to share kind words and talk about how Coach Poe impacted their lives.  

Former state representative Ed Hanes Jr. said before going to high school, he dreamed about playing for Coach Poe and he got that opportunity his junior and senior years at Carver. Hanes said even after high school Poe was always just a call away.  

“He honored me as one of his captains during my senior year,” Hanes wrote in a Facebook post last week. “He ran me for missing layups. He campaigned for me and helped me win my first election. He stood by me during divorce.  

“Right on, Coach Poe. Right on! Your players at Carver High School salute you.”  

Tim Wells, said Coach Poe was the father figure he needed growing up. He said Poe pushed him to become the man he is today. After standout career at Carver Wells went on to earn a scholarship to NC State University where he was a two year captain and starter for the Wolfpack.  

“With basketball he always made me believe there was more than I can achieve even when I thought I knew it all. He pushed me to do things mentally and physically that I never thought I could do,” Wells continued. “He is and will always be a legend. So engulfed in the Winston-Salem community. I will always love you and remember what you did for me.” 

The funeral service for Alfred Poe will be held at noon Saturday, Feb. 22 at New Bethel Baptist Church, 1016 Trade Street.