VHSL honors FHS coach with Regional Award of Merit
Published 11:11 am Tuesday, May 12, 2020
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FRANKLIN
Franklin High School’s Mona Sumbin, who’s the head coach of girl’s basketball. Her husband, Dennis, is the assistant coach. Submitted | Suzanne Blythe
On April 30, Coach Mona Sumblin received the Virginia High School League 2019-2020 Regional Award of Merit during the Region 1B Principals & Athletic Directors meeting.
Sumblin began her teaching career at Franklin High School in 1981. She took over as head girls basketball coach after Coach Peggy Wilkins retired in 1982. Sumblin followed a legend — the FHS gym is named after Wilkins. Those two women have been the school’s only lead basketball coaches for girls in the last 54 years.
During her career, Sumblin won two state championships in girls basketball: one as an assistant coach in 1981, and the other as head coach in 1986. She also coached the State Runner-Up team in 2009. Sumblin won 12 district championships and eight regional championships.
In addition to basketball, she has also coached boys and girls track since 2006.
In the school’s press release, Sumblin is described as “a positive influence on countless young ladies and many young men as well. FHS is so proud of all of her accomplishments.”
After 39 years — all at FHS — she’s retiring at the end of this school year. Sumblin will continue to lead Franklin High School’s girls basketball program.
