HALL OF FAME

Joe Forrest is a native of Malden, Missouri, where he was a member of the high school football and track teams, began attending Central Methodist College (CMU) in the fall of 1967. He became a member of the CMC Eagle football and rugby teams and played for four years. He also belonged to the “C” Letterman’s Club and the social fraternity Chi Delta. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Central Methodist in 1972.

Forrest began his freshman year at Central Methodist starting at both linebacker and offensive tackle positions. He lettered all four years of football and in 1969 and 1970 was named to the All-District 16 and the All-MCAU teams as a linebacker. In 1970, he was All-Conference both on offense and defense. He played at the offensive tackle, guard, tight end and linebacker positions and served as one of the team captains both his junior and senior years. He was part of all special teams. In 1971, he was awarded the Estes Award in Athletics.

After graduating from Central Methodist, Forrest became the head coach at Kemper Military Academy in Booneville, Missouri. The following year he moved home to Malden, where he became the assistant football coach and head track coach for the next two years. In 1975 he became the head football coach and served in the position for 12 years. While at Malden, one of his teams had the honor to play in the state quarter-finals at Bush Stadium.

In 1987, Forrest became the football coach at Charleston (Mo.) High School and built a winning program, competing in the state semi-finals in 1989. All five seasons he served as the coach at Charleston were winning seasons. While at Charleston, he also served as head football and track coach for two years, head football and assistant high school principal for three years, an assistant high school principal for one year, high school principal for eight years, and superintendent of schools for two years.

Forrest was named Conference Coach of the Year in 1981, 1984, 1987 and 1989, and was named District Coach of the Year for 1982, 1984 and 1987.