West Ashley High School teacher and baseball coach Dave Spurlock adds new duties in the new year as the Teacher Specialist for Physical Education, Athletics, Driver's Education and ROTC for the Charleston County School District.
"I'm not sure why they have ROTC in there," said Spurlock who assumes his duties Tuesday. "They have enough qualified people to take care of that."
The 54-year-old Spurlock replaces Jennings Austin. Austin will help Spurlock make the transition over the next few weeks, and then Spurlock is on his own.
"I have 33 years in teaching, and it's been good for me," Spurlock said. "Hopefully, I'll be good for Charleston County."
While Spurlock's new title is fancy, he basically will oversee athletics for Charleston County. He will do things such as help pick the teams that play in the Sertoma Football Classic, making sure the county's schools are up to snuff in their physical education class offerings, publicizing the school's and players achievements and making sure coaches are paid competitive stipends.
There is one catch. Because of his new position, this will be Spurlock's last year as baseball coach.
"I've worked it out with the district to coach, although I won't get paid. I won't get a supplement," he said. "There are eight seniors on the team who want to do well this year, and I want to be there to help them do well."
The biggest issue Spurlock faces is making sure that physical education is up to par in the county's schools. The Students Health and Fitness Act is a three-year phase-in of physical education and nutritional standards focused at the elementary school level and among the areas it focuses on are the establishment of state phys-ed standards, including assessment of school fitness programs, and the establishment of nutrition standards for public schools.
"In the 2008-09 school year, physical education will be part of a school's report card," Spurlock said.
"It is imperative to get it rolling, now. The scores for subjects such as math, English and science are already out there for the public to see. Now, physical education will be out there, too."
Spurlock noted that Dorchester District II and Berkeley County has ceremonies for national signing days. He wants to make sure the Charleston County students are recognized on their big day, so he'll push for that.
He also wants facility upgrades.
He wants to build on what Austin pushed for three years ago. Austin led a study that helped Charleston County coaches get supplemental pay that matched coaches in the other counties in the area.
"Now, I'd like to help the schools get on par with the number of coaches for a particular sport," Spurlock said. "You can never have too many coaches when you play in leagues against schools like Summerville, Fort Dorchester, Stratford, Berkeley and Goose Creek."
Green is All-American
Here's a week in the life of A.J. Green, Summerville's super wide receiver.
On Monday, the 6-4, 185-pound junior was named The Post and Courier's offensive back of the year.
On Tuesday, Green was named to the Associated Press All-State team for the third year in a row.
On Wednesday, Green was named first team All-American by USA Today. He was the only junior named to the first team, and was the only player from South Carolina to make first or second team.
Two other juniors made second team: wide receiver Michael Floyd of St. Paul, Minn., and punter Chris Lovvorn of Mobile, Ala.
Oh yeah, Green also played in the Piggly Wiggly Roundball Classic. In three games, he averaged 16.7 points and 8.0 rebounds, shooting 42 percent.
Attention coaches
The Post and Courier will list basketball statistics beginning Friday. Local coaches are asked to call (843) 937-5592 or e-mail (pbowman@postandcourier.com) scoring, rebounding, steals and assists leaders by noon Thursday.
Also, The Post and Courier will resume honoring athletes of the week beginning Jan. 9. Nominations can be made by calling 937-5595 or by e-mail (bhenley@postandcourier.com). The deadline for nominations for players of the week is noon Monday.
Reach Philip M. Bowman at 937-5592.
