As football coach, he had 51 wins and 38 losses. Mr. Covert resumed coaching as assistant coach at Academy Park High School from 1988 to 1995.
``He was an outstanding teacher and coach,'' said Academy Park principal Scott Slingsby. ``He was a motivator and a disciplinarian who recognized the needs of the students. He was there if the student needed a pat on the back or to be pushed along.''
``His greatest asset as a teacher and coach was his caring,'' Slingsby said. ``He really cared for the students.''
Mr. Covert was born in Philadelphia and lived most of his life in Darby Township. He graduated from Darby Township High School, where he was a linebacker on the football team.
He also played linebacker at Cheyney University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in industrial arts. In 1969, he was named Kodak Small College Little All-American as a linebacker.
Mr. Covert later earned a master's degree in education at St. Joseph's University.
From 1973 to 1976 he played defensive tackle for the Giants, a semiprofessional football team in Philadelphia.
In 1980 he was inducted into the Darby Township High School Hall of Fame and received the Delaware County Coaches Association's Football Coaching Excellence Award.
Mr. Covert was also inducted into the Cheyney University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1983 and into the Delaware County Black Hall of Fame in 1992.
He was a member of the First African Baptist Church in Darby Township, where he was active in numerous outreach programs, including feeding the homeless and Bible study. In 1993 he was named Man of the Year at the church's annual scholarship and awards banquet.
He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Margaret Elaine Cottingham Covert; a daughter, Dana; his father, Edward Covert; two brothers and two sisters.
Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. tomorrow at the Flemuel Brown Jr. Funeral Home, 60th and Catharine Streets, Philadelphia, and after 9 a.m. Friday at the First African Baptist Church, Clifton Avenue and Laurel Road, Darby Township. A service will be held at the church at 11 a.m. on Friday. Burial will be in Westminster Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd.
