Another local coach in the game fighting for his life

Roanoke Rapids youth coach and former Chaloner Middle & High school coach Chad Geary is battling the game of his life.

Coach Chad Geary is once again battling his fight with cancer.

Geary once taught Social Studies at Northamton-West High in Gaston and coached the varsity baseball Hurricanes for several years. He then moved his teaching skills to Chaloner Middle and eventually moved on to Roanoke Rapids High. While at Chaloner he was also head coach for the baseball team for several season and also eventually moving on to be the head JV baseball coach at the high school under varsity head coach Mark Snead. Geary also was the high school JV football head coach for several years under varsity head coach Russell Weinstein.

Also for the past several years, Geary has helped coach his son Austin's baseball and football teams (Cal Ripkin baseball, Yellow Jacket youth football and the Roanoke Valley Fishers baseball).

Geary gave up coaching Prep sports to pursue a school administrative degree and was hired this past summer in an administrative role at RRHS as Dean of Student Support.

Geary has battled cancer for two and half years and was in remission, but this past November he had a tumor removed from his spine and went through Chemo treatment in December. This past Sunday he had to undergo emergency surgery on his kidneys.

"Coach Geary missed Saturday night's Roanoke Rapids Yellow Jacket youth football banquet, but we were able to take a little of the banquet to him later that night," said fellow coach Ed Liverman. "He gave a very inspirational speech to the few boys that visited him in the hospital and that brought on both tears and smiles by all present," Liverman added. "Chad really enjoyed the time with the kids and watching in his hopital room, the season recapping DVD so graciously prepared by Megan Rogerson."

Roanoke Rapids head baseball coach Mark Snead stated, "Chad has a real passion for young people.  He really enjoys teaching them in the classroom and on the athletic fields.  He always teaches them to do things the right way, give it your best at all times, and never give up.  Now he is practicing what he preaches in his battle with cancer.  He has fought hard since day one to try and beat this terrible disease and continues to do so today.  So if everyone could continue praying for Chad I know he would greatly appreciate it."

Everyone at the schools has supported coach Geary and show their support with bright green "Team Geary" t-shirts and lots of prayers. Please keep coach Chad Geary, his wife Heidi, son Austin and daughter Addison in your prayers and help support him in this, his game of his life.