Lou Scales

In 1939, Lou Scales joined more than one hundred other players on the University of Alabama freshman football team. In 1941 and 1942, Scales lettered at fullback for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Military service during World War II interrupted his Alabama football career. Scales returned to football in 1945 and lettered again.

Scales began his coaching career at Thompson High School in 1946. After one year,  Unsure that he wanted to continue coaching, Scales spent a year in business. He came to Alexandria High School in the fall of 1948 and remained until his retirement after the 1986 school year.

Valley Cub fans were impressed when the Cubs went 8-0 in 1950, playing every game on the road. Alexandria capped its undefeated season with a 20-12 win over Anniston, the first time a Calhoun County team had beaten the Bulldogs in twenty years.

Scales’ interest in improving athletic facilities at Alexandria led to the formation of the Alexandria Sportsmen’s Club. By 1952, a new, lighted football field was ready for use. The first game produced a 33-13 win over John Carroll of Birmingham. That 1952 team finished 9-1. In 1957, the Valley Cubs were undefeated. The 1972 team completed regular-season play 9-1, then went 1-1 in the playoffs. The 1974 Cubs ended the regular season undefeated before finishing 12-1 overall. Lou Scales’ 38 Alexandria football teams accumulated  218 victories, 114 losses, and 14 ties, but the 1985 team, his last, was his most successful. After going 8 and 2 in the regular season, the 1985 Valley Cubs ran off five consecutive playoff wins to claim the 4A state championship. In the championship game, Alexandria defeated Elba 35 to 0.

Coach Lou Scales was also an excellent basketball coach.  He coached eight seasons at Alexandria in the 50’s and 60’s, where they won the county tournament three times. Lou Scales died July 18th, 2003.

written by Joe Estep