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Supt. Sullivan Proud Of Varsity Coaches At Hannah-Pamplico
By Billy G. Baker
Publisher
Pamplico—Florence County School District II superintendent Robert “Sully” Sullivan is very proud of the coaches he supervises at Hannah-Pamplico for their understanding of recent budget cuts that caused some major changes in the Raider athletic program.
“Our coaches have really buckled down and worked closely with me during the financial strain we’ve been under for the last couple of years,” said Sullivan who became the superintendent two years ago after serving for numerous years in the number two role. “We are going with the “B” team concept and we have done away with our middle school programs and things seem to be working out just fine,” he said. “We are pooling our seventh through ninth graders as mainly “B” team athletes and our athletes in grades ten through 12 are varsity.”
Sullivan had special praise for Raider athletic director Kirk Mays who was hurt in a hunting accident two years ago. “Coach Mays has been very good to work with and he has met with his staff on several occasions. Some coaches actually volunteered to coach without pay but we can’t allow that.”
One benefit of the “B” team concept according to Sullivan has been a record number of athletes working out in the weight room this summer. “The numbers are up and there have been a large number of young athletes working out in the weight room and you are always pleased to see participation up. I feel this is a result of us going to the “B” team plan.”
Sullivan has already had two children graduate from Hannah-Pamplico and his son Griffin is a rising senior and a member of the baseball and football teams at the school.
Another cost saving move is that the girl’s and boy’s tennis program has been eliminated as well as boy’s golf. “We hope to bring them back in the near future,” said Sullivan. “We are hoping that it is only a temporary situation with the economy.”
Mays will begin his 18th year as head football coach and athletic director. Former golf coach Brad Drawdy remains at the school as a football assistant. Other football assistants include Van Coleman, Tim Mays, Jimmy Williams, and Joey McDaniel. Williams and McDaniel will coach the “B” tam football squad.
Kedral Timmons returns as the head boy’s basketball coach while Debby Muldrow returns to head up the girl’s program. Adam Brown will be back for his second year as the head baseball coach and Jami Cornwall is back as the Lady Raider softball coach. Veteran track coach H.M. Dixon returns. Janice Drawdy remains the school athletic secretary.
The Raiders will begin the 2010 football season with home games against Johnsonville and Hemingway. “Football is what supports all the programs,” said Sullivan. “We are hoping to have good crowds at both these home games to start the season.”
On a deep personal moment Mr. Sullivan said that his son was touched by seeing Coach Mays cutting his grass from a motorized wheel chair in the hot July sun. “Griffin came home and told me that after seeing Coach Mays cut his grass under those conditions that he would have little problem making those hot practices in August. Griffin was inspired by seeing Coach Mays cut his own grass despite being handicapped.”
Under Sullivan’s leadership the Raiders are making things work out for the best.
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