Elijah Wells: A Winning Future

At 6 feet 3 inches and 245 pounds, it’s easy to picture Elijah Wells in his days at Florida State College at Jacksonville, dribbling up the court and effortlessly shooting for three points in front of a crowd.Now, 50-year-old Wells is a varsity high school basketball coach who passes basketball experience as well as hope to the next generation.

“If you’re in my basketball program and you’re not learning more than basketball, I’m not doing my job,” says Wells, head basketball coach at Jacksonville’s Terry Parker High School.

One of Wells’ former high school students captures his essence: “He built my character,” says 30-year-old Shawn Platts, now Wells’ rival head coach at Jacksonville’s Ed White High School.

“I lost my father just before high school. Coach Wells was a great mentor when I needed one. He was a classy guy, not to mention he could play.”

Platts attended Florida State College at Jacksonville, at the urging of Coach Wells, to pursue a degree in physical education. Oh, and his Commanders have beaten Wells’ Braves only one time in three years.

“I definitely don’t outcoach him—yet,” Platts quips.

Wells’ own college aspirations received an assist, too—through scholarship funds for tuition and books between 1977 and 1979.

“Growing up I always felt like my family was rich,” Wells says. In truth, his mother was an insurance underwriter with a high school diploma and his father was a night delivery driver with an 11th-grade education.“Looking back, I realize they were not able to pay for my college education.”

Wells appreciates the other support Florida State College at Jacksonville provided as well.

“As an educator, I know now that I needed those junior college years to develop academically.

”It’s a life experience he shares with his wife, Latina, who earned an associate degree from the College in 1980; and his children, Lonnie and Lauren, are both currently enrolled at the College with hopes of pursuing engineering careers.

“It has been a family thing,” Wells says. “We have made the right decision sending our kids there.”