Yesterday , in the My County Link office, we made a video with Greenville Athletic Director Aaron Shaffer. It should be up soon, that is, if we can get some work out of our media guru, Clint Randall! (I owed you that!) Anyway, I think everyone should take a look at this one. It was really informative, and it just gave a glimpse of what our A.D. does during the year.
First off, though, I owe Aaron an apology of sorts. With all the trouble we have had in keeping coaches and lately, choosing a football coach, I have been critical of the school administration. I also included Aaron in this. I do know that he is employed by the administration, which I still am highly skeptical of, but after talking to and listening to Aaron, I was wrong to include him. Aaron has a passion for the student athletes we have in Greenville, and it will be obvious in the video. It is a genuine feeling he has towards the school and the students that shows through, and I for one thought it was just a job with him…..it is not….it is a passion, and I am sorry I did not tell him sooner how much I appreciate his efforts. We are lucky to have him.
For all the attention that is paid to football and basketball here, and in most schools because they produce the most revenue, Greenville has the appearance of being bad in all athletics. That is certainly not the case! We have our other sports that are highly competitive in the MVL, and show themselves very well. Softball, tennis, Golf, Track, Baseball, Cross Country, and others, down to the junior high level, are competitive and compete for league and State championships.
The loser perception is just that, a perception, and a false one. We are one of the smaller schools in a very good league, and we show ourselves well…..and we should be damn proud of it! One of the reasons is Aaron Shaffer. Aaron works his butt off getting things ready for contests every day. In the spring, when we have bad weather, his job is made twice as hard trying to get buses, re-scheduling games, getting officials, getting help for the games, and getting the fields ready, just so our student athletes can ply their skills for parents and others to enjoy. It is a thankless job, but one he does with joy and a love of sports and the students.
Yesterday, it was pointed out what I have known for a while now: Greenville has some of the best facilities for a school of our size anywhere. We are fortunate that the people support our teams with good places to perform their skills, and it is not like that everywhere. This work will continue as long as Aaron is here; he sees the needs and the time it takes to keep our facilities in top shape.
On a personal note, I think it is time for the school administration to look at a weight room/ wrestling facility and move on this quickly. Our wrestling team did very well this year, and to keep that momentum moving, we need much better facilities for those athletes. Let’s get this done!
Athletics, in general, is an important part of the school experience. It is one of the best teachers for getting ready for the world there is. It teaches critical thinking, discipline, passion, and most of all, hard work, all of which are needed in today’s world. I am happy to report that Greenville teaches those highly sought-after attributes in our future leaders. Our school system can improve, just like everyone else’s, and we must do all we can to hire the best teachers, coaches, and administrators to build on what we have. We must keep up and always strive to be the best at what we do.
Our student athletes are looking for direction and discipline to be the best they can, and we need to see they get it! It is time for all of us to look at our little town in a different light…..we have it pretty damn good here, but we can make it better, and we should! One obvious way is to show your pride in our great little town and our much under-appreciated school system. One way to do that is to take pride in the fact that we will always try to be better for our town and the school system.
We need more people like Aaron Shaffer, who is willing to sacrifice his time for the students……and often to the detriment to his own life and family. He should be more appreciated. I know I look at him differently now, and I am proud to know him.
So come on people, let’s drop all the negatives we have towards Greenville and its athletics. Take a closer look, and you will see we have much to be proud of….I know I am!
That’s the way I see it…….from the sidelines!
