Remembering Coach Cleatis Goodlow

Coach Cleatis Goodlow

For over 50 years, Cleatis served as more than a coach. He was a mentor, father figure, and community leader for countless young athletes in North and Northeast Portland.

Born in 1942 in Galesburg, Illinois, Cleatis served in the United States Navy during the 1960s before moving to Portland in the 1970s. In Portland, he began a remarkable five-decade coaching career, driven by genuine passion for the game and unwavering commitment to young people, rather than fame or recognition.

Cleatis worked for the power company during the day. In the evenings, he was in the gym, on the field, or wherever his players needed him. Coaching was not just a hobby for him, it was his calling.

Cleatis was passionate about the game and enjoyed sharing his knowledge with his players. Former athletes often described him as demanding, expecting hard work, attentiveness, and accountability. While he was strict, his toughness was balanced by love and compassion. His players understood he wanted them to excel both as athletes and as individuals.

His impact reached far beyond the playing field. When young people in the community needed a meal, a safe place to stay or simply someone who would open a door, Cleatis was there. Players could often be found at his home for breakfast or dinner, and some stayed with him and his family when they needed a place to live.

Cleatis was a forward-thinking coach who sought opportunities for his players to showcase their talents. In the early 1990s, he helped form and coach one of the first AAU teams from North and Northeast Portland, leading them to a state championship and a national tournament appearance. In 1999, he partnered with Major League Baseball to establish Portland's first RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) chapter, providing young athletes with skill development and competitive opportunities. In 2001, the RBI team won the West Regional championship and advanced to the RBI World Series.

One of the clearest measures of Cleatis' influence can be found in the people he coached. Many former players became coaches themselves, applying the lessons they learned from Cleatis to their own teams, schools, and communities. While some achieved significant success, many credit Cleatis for helping them reach their goals.

His sons followed his example, becoming coaches inspired by their father's dedication to coaching and service. Their teams have achieved notable accomplishments, including a gold medal at the Special Olympics Games and a 15U Babe Ruth World Series championship.

A coach's record can be measured in wins and losses. Championships can be counted. Trophies can be displayed. But Cleatis' record cannot be captured by a scoreboard. His true record lives in the lives of the young people he coached. It lives in the former player who became a coach. It lives in the athlete who found a place to stay when he needed one. It lives in the young person who sat down at Cleatis' dinner table and was reminded that somebody cared. It lives in the stories former players continue to tell about the man who demanded the best from them while making sure they knew they were valued. And it lives in the generations of athletes who will never meet Cleatis but will benefit from the coaches and mentors he helped shape.

For more than five decades, Cleatis showed up. He showed up after working a full day. He showed up for practices, games, and tournaments. He showed up when a player needed advice. He showed up when someone needed a meal. He showed up when a young person needed someone to believe in them. He showed up for his community. 

The Goodlow Family thanks Mark Washington and the Portland Observer for providing space to honor Cleatis’ dedication to his community. Cleatis’ Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, August 13 at 11 AM at Emmanuel Church, 1033 N Sumner St, Portland, Oregon 97217. The repass will follow at New Song Church Community Center, 2511 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97212.