Colleton Prep fighting to stay afloat amid tough economy

By David Shelton

Staff Writer

Walterboro – Like many small private schools who rely on private money and enrollment to survive, the Colleton Prep athletic department is fighting the bad economy times as the 2010-11 school year approaches.

Change is afoot at Colleton Prep this fall as Neil Minton assumes duties as athletic director and head football coach after nine years as an assistant. Minton is working with the administration to find creative ways to fund their programs but the best way to increase funds is to increase student enrollment.

“We were at 420 students three years ago and we’re hoping to be around 300 this fall when all is said and done,” said Minton. “Our male population is down right now, down a lot. We have 10 total boys in our freshman and sophomore classes combined. We’re fine in terms of girls but we need an influx of male athletes. We will really be fighting the numbers in two years or so if we don’t add some kids.

“We’re battling the economy just like everyone else right now. But we’re trying to make improvements and we’re working to make things as good as we can for our athletes. We’re committed to doing the best we can with the resources that we have right now.”

Minton remains optimistic about the future and is excited about the upcoming year, as it pertains to athletics. He will take over as head football coach after serving as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach under former coach Brock Miller.

He welcomes back most of the football coaching staff this fall, led by Tracy Bertram, who will take over as defensive coordinator. Bertram has been a volunteer assistant for at least 15 years. Payton Crosby and Jamie Ware also return and have been with the program for a number of years as well.

Coaching the offensive line will be Ryan Bishop, a former Colleton Prep all-state lineman, while Shane McDonald returns to coach the defensive line.

Adding to the football coaching staff this fall will be Wesley Jones and Marshall Moorhead. Moorhead also played at Colleton Prep.

“I really feel comfortable with the football staff,” said Minton. “These guys are very hard-working. They love what they do and they love Colleton Prep. They will give these kids 100 percent everyday.”

In addition to his duties as football coach and athletic director, Minton will also coach varsity boy’s basketball and varsity girl’s basketball in the coming school year. Nat Stoner is set to return as the head baseball coach and Trent Cannon returns as the girl’s tennis coach. Cannon was the SCISA Girl’s Tennis Coach of the Year in 2009, as named by the High School Sports Report.

Natalie White will return as the volleyball coach and Jamie Schearer will coach the cheerleading team.

Colleton Prep expects to add golf to the list of sports next spring and Mark Tomedolskey will coach the team.

If the school has a girl’s soccer team next spring, Bray Mabry will be the coach. Minton also expects to name a softball coach in the near future.