Country Day football loses a friend, legendary athlete and coach

Charlotte Country Day assistant football coach Sam Cook died unexpectedly this week.

Cook was a 1966 graduate of Country Day. He has been an assistant junior varsity football coach since 1993.

His father, John Cook, coached the Bucs football team from 1959-86 and annually

Charlotte Catholic and Country Day play a non-conference football game with the winner taking the John Cook Cup.

Sam and John Cook were the first inductees into Country Day’s Athletic Hall of Honor in 1999.

“Sam was a leader and a motivator,” Country Day junior varsity coach Ed Walton said. “He was interested in all the players, not just the stars. He always helped the athletes make the most of of their talents.”

Bucs varsity coach Bob Witman said Cook will be dearly missed.

“He truly embodied (Country Day) football,” Witman said. “Sam watched his father build up the program from the purchase of the first helmet to a string of state championship wins. Whether as a player, a fan or as a coach, Sam always gave his full support and commitment to the program. He was a tremendous influence on the players and we are all going to miss him very much.”