Mark Mincher Enters Sports Hall Of Fame
MONTGOMERY- Mark Mincher can now add the accolade of a member of the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame to his already long list of accomplishments. The current assistant principal and athletic director at Madison Academy was enshrined into the Hall of Fame as a 2019 inductee at the organization’s recent annual banquet held at the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center. He was one of 11 inductees this year.
A native of Huntsville, Mincher was a three-sport All-County performer at Hazel Green High where he graduated in 1975. He played college baseball at Memphis State earning a degree in education.
He began his teaching and coaching career in 1980 at Monrovia Middle School before moving to Sparkman High two years later. In 1984, he moved to Huntsville High School where he would soon become the head baseball coach, a position he held until 2012. His teams compiled a record of 576-353 winning 12 city championships and one state championship (2011), while his squads participated in the state playoffs 18 times. After winning the state title, Mincher was named National Federation of High Schools and Alabama Baseball Coaches Association state Coach of the Year in 2011. Also that year, he was inducted into the Huntsville-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame.
He was also Huntsville High’s athletic director from 1995-2012. He took his current positions with the private school of Madison Academy two years ago.
“Being enshrined among so many others is really humbling,” said Mincher. “I could not have been enshrined if it wasn’t for my family, assistant coaches and the numerous players I’ve coached.”
Kevin Wieseman, a former player for Mincher and who later coached alongside the Hall of Fame inductee, said, “I consider it a blessing to be associated with this man and his distinguished career. Mark Mincher was first my trusted coach, then a peer that I respected and learned from, and most importantly a friend with whom I share common values and beliefs.”
Mincher’s pedigree in athletics came mostly from his father, Don Mincher, a longtime stand out in Major League Baseball. Along with his grandfather, Mincher said those two people in his life made him who he has become today. “They both taught me the game and how to play correctly, as well as, be a good man. My biggest thrill was when we won the state title my dad was ill, but he somehow still made it to the game,” added Mincher.
Greg Hicks, director of behavioral learning for Huntsville City Schools, said of Mincher, “While I was at Huntsville High, I learned a great deal from Coach Mincher. Most of all, I learned to be a leader, a gentleman and a winner. He is an outstanding coach, family man and educator. I am proud to have served alongside this great person.”
