King of basketball
Long time basketball coach Alvie King will retire from the Milano Independent School District at the close of the 2018-2019 school year after more than 20 years with the school.
King, who grew up in Milano, says being a part of MISD is something he has held in high regard.
“The people that had a really huge impact on me growing up were the teachers and coaches that I had going to school in Milano,” King said. “So to be able to teach there for as long as I have is something that I consider an honor.
“I’ve been able to teach all of my kids in elementary P.E., and got to watch a lot of the volleyball games my wife coached and it’s all been less than a mile from my home.”
King started at Milano in 1993 under then head coach Jay Wise, who coached him all through middle school and high school before hiring him in his first assistant job.
“He really took me under his wing,” King said. “Taught me a lot about everything and really helped me along the way.”
King became the head coach in 2002 and coached the Eagles for six seasons before taking an assistant job at Mumford under head coach Chris Sodek. During his five-year tenure with the Mustangs, they went to the UIL Class 1A state championship three times and won it all in 2014 with a 64-57 win over Muenster.
“Those times in Mumford were unbelievable,” King said. “I got an opportunity to coach with one of my best friends and be there for my son Aubrie.
“I think in the four years Aubrie was in school we went 145-10 and seven of those losses were in the first year. So we only lost three games in three years. It was incredible.”
King’s basketball teams also made it to regionals in 1998, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
He played on the Temple College basketball team from 1986-1988, where he broke the record for free throw percentage in the 1987-1988 season going 41 for 41.
Although he will retire in less than a month, King plans to stay busy when he leaves Milano Elementary School.
“I do a lot of basketball training during the summer,” King said. “Since the school coaches aren’t allowed to work with their kids during the offseason I go to a lot of different gyms and work with players.
“A lot of people don’t know this about me but I’m also a songwriter. I ‘ve written a song that has received online radio play. I also wrote a children’s book called “I Think There’s a Lizard in My Bed” about 20 years ago that I’d like to get published. So we’ll see what I get into.”
His wife Wendy King also speculated on what retirement may bring his way.
“I suspect he will spend a lot of time following our son Kyle’s football pursuits and continuing to work with young people teaching basketball lessons,” she said. “He still likes to play a little basketball as well, although his body doesn’t cooperate all the time like it used to.”
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