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Wackiness at Washington
Commentary by KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
So, remind me again, just who are the “Wackos” at Washington? They’re the high school fans who support the Pam Pack football, soccer and basketball teams, right?
It seems like lately some of the “powers that be” are trying to steal that nickname away. You won’t see any towels being waved, but maybe contracts.
Last week was quite interesting for Washington High School. Like dominoes, coaches and administrators seemed to fall one by one — some by their own choice, some by others’ choices.
One of the biggest blows was the loss of principal Steve Hagen, who was admired by faculty and students alike. That’s a rare combination. Students don’t normally like principals.
But Hagen went out of his way to make the school as good as it could be. He went to most of the sporting events and was an avid supporter of the Pam Pack. In fact, he was often the loudest cheerleader during the Pack’s softball run to a share of the Coastal Conference championship.
But Hagen decided to leave to become superintendent at another location. Was it because of money? Was it because he didn’t get the support he felt he needed? Depends on whom you ask. I think the current Wackos would want Hagen back, not those other wackos.
New Washington athletics director Bing Mitchell told sportswriter John Swartz, in a story a couple weeks ago, how he was looking forward to working with Hagen.
“I’m looking forward to going to Washington and trying to run that program the best I can,” Mitchell had said. “One thing that really influenced me to take the Washington job was Steve Hagen. His enthusiasm to get the (school’s athletic) program running on the right track really impressed me.”
Now, not only will Mitchell not get to work with Hagen, but he’s going to be extremely busy this summer. Mitchell will have to help find at least four new coaches.
Former Pam Pack great Rufus Wilson stepped down after one year at the helm of the Pam Pack baseball team. Wilson did so in order to finish his course work, which would lead to an increase in pay. He said that he couldn’t afford to raise a family on the income he was bringing in as a teacher and a coach. Coaches are paid a certain amount, and Wilson just didn’t think it was enough.
It’s too bad. I’ve known Rufus since he was a senior at Washington. He’s one of the classiest guys you’ll ever meet. He knows baseball, and he wanted to run the program the right way. He would get more upset with a players’ actions he didn’t deem appropriate than a loss. Rufus wanted to do what was best for the kids. Isn’t that how it should be?
Former Washington star Jason Smith decided to leave as the Pam Pack basketball coach after three years. Smith helped turn the program around in the three years he was there. After the team struggled to an 8-18 mark two years ago, the Pack finished 12-14 overall in a grueling Class 3-A/4-A Coastal Conference. Smith also guided the Pack to a first-round playoff win, something the team hadn’t experienced in a number of years. He also helped Calvin Daniels become the school’s all-time scoring leader.
Smith said he wanted to teach his players how to do the right things. He wanted what was best for the kids. Isn’t that how it should be?
Jay Petty was dismissed as the head boys and girls soccer coach. Petty was stunned by the decision. While Hagen clearly wanted Petty to return, the Beaufort County School Board didn’t agree. There have been many who have come to the support of Petty, who just happened to be the Coastal Conference Girls Coach of the Year this year. In talking with some of his former players, they said Petty always did what he thought was best for the kids. Isn’t that how it should be?
Some names have been thrown out there as possible replacements. However, I’ve heard of at least one who said he didn’t want to come to a school program that seems to be in chaos.
I know that athletics aren’t the most important aspect of school. But it does play a huge part in many students’ lives.
I hope stability returns to Washington. I hope commitment returns to Washington.
I hope the “powers that be” do what is best for the kids. Isn’t that how it should be?
Any other situation would be, well, just wacky.
———
Kevin Travis is the sports editor of the Washington Daily News. You may reach him at 940-4217 or by e-mail at kevin@wdnweb.com.
So, remind me again, just who are the “Wackos” at Washington? They’re the high school fans who support the Pam Pack football, soccer and basketball teams, right?
It seems like lately some of the “powers that be” are trying to steal that nickname away. You won’t see any towels being waved, but maybe contracts.
Last week was quite interesting for Washington High School. Like dominoes, coaches and administrators seemed to fall one by one — some by their own choice, some by others’ choices.
One of the biggest blows was the loss of principal Steve Hagen, who was admired by faculty and students alike. That’s a rare combination. Students don’t normally like principals.
But Hagen went out of his way to make the school as good as it could be. He went to most of the sporting events and was an avid supporter of the Pam Pack. In fact, he was often the loudest cheerleader during the Pack’s softball run to a share of the Coastal Conference championship.
But Hagen decided to leave to become superintendent at another location. Was it because of money? Was it because he didn’t get the support he felt he needed? Depends on whom you ask. I think the current Wackos would want Hagen back, not those other wackos.
New Washington athletics director Bing Mitchell told sportswriter John Swartz, in a story a couple weeks ago, how he was looking forward to working with Hagen.
“I’m looking forward to going to Washington and trying to run that program the best I can,” Mitchell had said. “One thing that really influenced me to take the Washington job was Steve Hagen. His enthusiasm to get the (school’s athletic) program running on the right track really impressed me.”
Now, not only will Mitchell not get to work with Hagen, but he’s going to be extremely busy this summer. Mitchell will have to help find at least four new coaches.
Former Pam Pack great Rufus Wilson stepped down after one year at the helm of the Pam Pack baseball team. Wilson did so in order to finish his course work, which would lead to an increase in pay. He said that he couldn’t afford to raise a family on the income he was bringing in as a teacher and a coach. Coaches are paid a certain amount, and Wilson just didn’t think it was enough.
It’s too bad. I’ve known Rufus since he was a senior at Washington. He’s one of the classiest guys you’ll ever meet. He knows baseball, and he wanted to run the program the right way. He would get more upset with a players’ actions he didn’t deem appropriate than a loss. Rufus wanted to do what was best for the kids. Isn’t that how it should be?
Former Washington star Jason Smith decided to leave as the Pam Pack basketball coach after three years. Smith helped turn the program around in the three years he was there. After the team struggled to an 8-18 mark two years ago, the Pack finished 12-14 overall in a grueling Class 3-A/4-A Coastal Conference. Smith also guided the Pack to a first-round playoff win, something the team hadn’t experienced in a number of years. He also helped Calvin Daniels become the school’s all-time scoring leader.
Smith said he wanted to teach his players how to do the right things. He wanted what was best for the kids. Isn’t that how it should be?
Jay Petty was dismissed as the head boys and girls soccer coach. Petty was stunned by the decision. While Hagen clearly wanted Petty to return, the Beaufort County School Board didn’t agree. There have been many who have come to the support of Petty, who just happened to be the Coastal Conference Girls Coach of the Year this year. In talking with some of his former players, they said Petty always did what he thought was best for the kids. Isn’t that how it should be?
Some names have been thrown out there as possible replacements. However, I’ve heard of at least one who said he didn’t want to come to a school program that seems to be in chaos.
I know that athletics aren’t the most important aspect of school. But it does play a huge part in many students’ lives.
I hope stability returns to Washington. I hope commitment returns to Washington.
I hope the “powers that be” do what is best for the kids. Isn’t that how it should be?
Any other situation would be, well, just wacky.
———
Kevin Travis is the sports editor of the Washington Daily News. You may reach him at 940-4217 or by e-mail at kevin@wdnweb.com.
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