Sunday Chat is a weekly feature appearing in The Blade’s print and digital platforms each Sunday.
Former highly-successful Libbey High School basketball coach Leroy Bates has been out of that profession for nearly 17 years, but in some ways has never really left the game.
Bates, 76, and his wife of 54 years, Jo Ray Anderson Bates, have three grown children who have followed in their parents' footsteps as educators.
Daughter April Valentine, 51, is a long-time teacher in Toledo Public Schools, and sons Michael, 53, and Jason, 46, are each teachers and successful basketball coaches in the Columbus area at Africentric and Pickerington North, respectively.
Michael has guided four Africentric teams to the state final four, including his 2018 Division III state runner-up squad.
One of Jason's former players at North was Ohio State University football standout Jack Sawyer, who was prominent in the Buckeyes' national-championship run that concluded last Monday.
Following his sons' games, and many Toledo-area contests along with Jo Ray, has kept Bates connected to basketball.
In his 16 seasons (1992-2008) as head coach at Libbey, which closed following the 2009-10 school year because of TPS budget cuts, Bates had a 252-114 record guiding the Cowboys, the most wins in school history. Two of his teams reached Ohio's state-tournament final four in Columbus.
His 1999-2000 squad, led by All-Ohioan Eyuless Palmer and Marques Fobbs, finished 25-1 and was the state's No. 1-ranked Division I team. They lost 67-61 by Bedford in the state semifinals.
In 2007-08, led by Ohio's Mr. Basketball, William Buford, and Julius Wells, Bates' 24-3 Libbey team fell to Chillicothe in heart-breaking fashion, 70-69 in the D-II state final on a buzzer-beating layup in overtime. Buford later became the No. 3 career scorer (tied with Jerry Lucas at 1,990 points) at Ohio State University, and Wells played at James Madison (1,414 career points).
Bates guided the Cowboys to six regular-season first-place City League finishes, three CL playoff titles, and three district championships. He was named CL coach of the year five times, All-Blade coach of the year twice, and D-I state coach of the year in 2000.
Born Nov. 10, 1948 in Mississippi, Bates was one of the five boys and two girls raised by parents Jessie and Beauty Bates, who moved their family to Ohio in 1950.
Leroy, a 1966 graduate of Scott High School, earned an associates degree (1972), a bachelors in education (1975), a masters (1981), and an education specialist degree (1984), all from the University of Toledo.
He taught (elementary and high school) from 1975-2010, and Jo Ray (elementary) from 1973-2005 all in the TPS system. Leroy was honored as City of Toledo educator of the year in 2006.
Bates was inducted into the City League hall of fame in 2010, into the Northwest Ohio District 7 Coaches Association hall of fame in 2016, and into the African American Legacy Sports hall of fame in 2023.
After participating in track, cross country, and wrestling while at Scott, Bates became a basketball coach at the junior-high level, and was an assistant for eight seasons at Scott before landing the Libbey post in 1992.
The Blade: What stands out to you about your parents, and their impact on your life?
Bates: “My parents were always Christ-centered people who loved their family and their Church. Their work ethic, and their love and respect for each other is what stands out about them. For me today, the values that were important to them, are the same things that I value today – God, family, friends, and work ethic.”
The Blade: Why did you choose to become an educator, and what were some high points in that career for you?
Bates: “Education was always seen as a necessity for upward mobility. My wife and I took the information that we learned in the classroom and tried to apply it to the greater good in all aspects of life.”
The Blade: What stands out as you recall your 25-1, top-ranked 1999-2000 Libbey team?
Bates: “The amount of pride that the City of Toledo gave to our team. We all became one. One in spirit, and one in our goal. Also,that people were really supporting these poor kids from the south side of Toledo.”
The Blade: Your Libbey teams consistently battled at the top of a very competitive City League. What were the highlights of that time from your perspective?
Bates: “Every one of our opponents knew that our teams would be well conditioned and well prepared. We played with pride for the south side,and were and true competitors.”
The Blade: You coached William Buford for four years. What made him such a great player?
Bates: “He had great parents who always supported his coaches. He listened, paid attention, and followed directions. He wanted to be great and he did what was necessary to be great.”
The Blade: In your final season, Buford led your Cowboys to the 2008 D-II state championship game and a heart-breaking overtime loss. What stands out from that experience?
Bates: “My lasting impressions from the last game in 2008, was that we had a great ride with some phenomenal players. But, beyond that, they were awesome people individually, as well as collectively. Basketball mirrors the game of life – sometimes you just come up a little short. The sun still rises the next day.”
The Blade: After you retired from teaching in 2010, Libbey was closed as part of TPS budget cuts, then torn down. What was your reaction?
Bates: “It was shameful. It left a hole in the heart of the south side Community. Libbey, in its essence, represented all racial and cultural groups. That still has not been replicated by any of our remaining TPS schools. Buildings have been repurposed by TPS, but you can't repurpose what has been torn down. Why Libbey?”
The Blade: What do you think about your sons following in your teaching and coaching footsteps?
Bates: “Our sons, Michael and Jason, and our daughter, April, are all making a difference in the lives of young people. They are blessed beyond measures to add real meaning to those that they have had the privilege to teach and coach.”
The Blade: These days, how much time do you spend following basketball, and what's your take on the current game?
Bates: “I actually spend a great deal of my time talking to coaches and high school players. The game has changed and the players have changed, but everything still remains the same – hard work, dedication, and education will bring your dreams into reality.”
The Blade: How do you feel you evolved as a head coach from start to finish, and what do you feel were your strengths?
Bates: “My evolution as a basketball coach came about during my tenure as an assistant at Scott under the legendary coach Ben Williams. I learned that your players will go through a wall for you when they know that you will always have their best interest, and the team's best interest, as your primary focus. Also, treat everyone the same, even though everyone is different. My strengths were in building lasting player-coach relationships, always looking for the good in people, and always making sure that my best ability is in availability.”
First Published January 26, 2025, 1:30 p.m.