In Remembrance of Coach Terry Price

Coach Terry Price went home to be with the Lord on Friday, October 25. To all those who knew him, he was so much more than a football coach.

Coach Price is remembered as a mentor, a teacher, a minister, a coach, a servant, a father, a husband, and a friend.

He coached for football; he coached for life. 

Price served faithfully at Maranatha for 29 years before retiring in 2013, and his versatility in the many positions he held reflected the genuineness and consistency of his character.

While at Maranatha, Price served as football coach, athletic director, professor, and as chair of the School of Bible and Church Ministries. As Maranatha’s football coach, Price led the “Crusaders” to 11 consecutive winning seasons (1988-98), and to Lake Michigan Conference championships in 1990, 1998, and 2002. 

Accomplished? Certainly. But Coach Price’s impact on the gridiron was a microcosm of his purpose for Christian ministry: to impact the lives of students for the glory of God.

“Coach Price was a great example of what a Christian man ought to be,” said Jeff Estes, who played the first year that Price was the head coach. “I saw in him a great balance of leadership, compassion, and toughness. He helped young men grow to be men. We got walloped that first year, but Coach saw that team turn around to be conference champions. More importantly, he led the team to be spiritually minded. It wasn’t just a game.

“He is with the Lord now,” Estes added. “But his influence will be a part of my life always.”

As his career at Maranatha continued, Coach Price’s influence seemed to grow exponentially with the passing of time. 

“Coach Price modeled Christ to me and taught me what it meant to be a servant,” said Brandon Hudson, who played for Price from 1999-2002. “He taught me that being a man wasn’t simply about physical strength, but fiercely standing for truth while tenderly caring for those around you. He taught me [that] victory is in Jesus. He taught me to be faithful, because the heavenly prize is mine to win. I want to be like him. Well done Coach Price.”

Coach Price taught his players to sing, win or lose, and he stayed faithful to that message even when he was put to the test. After suffering a string of losses during his final year as head coach, Coach Price and the team brought his final season to the perfect end with a 14-6 win over Rockford College. As the helmets were raised and the stadium rang with “Victory in Jesus” after the game, Price’s impact on the program and on the young men was as palpable as the enthusiasm from the dramatic win.

That memory still lingers, but the win was just a bonus to his main goal: impacting the lives of students for the glory of God.

Win or lose.

Price passed away after suffering a stroke and was surrounded by his sons, his daughter-in-law, and his wife of 51 years, Colene.

The memorial services for Dr. Terry Price will be held at the church where he was pastoring, Maranatha Baptist Church in Sebring, Florida, on Thursday, October 31. The visitation will begin at 10 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. 

Calvary Baptist Church in Watertown, Wisconsin will have a special memorial service in honor of Coach Price on Sunday, November 17 at 5:00 p.m.

In the meantime, words of encouragement can be sent to Mrs. Colene Price at 22 Amos Street, Sebring, FL 33870.