By Lee Davis A decade ago, C.J. Hawkins left a successful program at Clay-Chalkville to become the new softball coach at Spain Park. On her first week at her new job, Hawkins realized the challenge she faced. “We were cleaning out the dugout and found an award they had been giving to players for diving for a fly ball – just diving for it, that’s all,” she said. “We knew then … [Read more...]
Life Coach: Would YOU Be a High School Coach Today?
By Lee Davis I’ve always maintained that a good high school coach can be the most influential non-parent in a young person’s life. That’s not to disparage the role of classroom teachers, scout leaders, church youth ministers and others, but there’s likely no other place that simulates the life challenges all of us face quite like the field of athletic competition. The … [Read more...]
Master of All: Vestavia Hill’s Hopkins Excelled in Athletics, Academics
By Lee Davis Jack Hopkins is a man who has always had a keen sense of his surroundings. The former Vestavia Hills soccer star, who graduated from Marshall University last spring, is spending his summer performing environmental field work in Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina. In the fall, Hopkins will pursue a master’s degree in environmental sciences at … [Read more...]
Top Cop: Police Chief Ted Cook Says Policing is Tough in the Best of Times
By Lee DavisUnlike some in his profession, Ted Cook admits that he enjoys watching police procedural dramas on television. “I like them. NCIS is probably my favorite, along with Hawaii Five-0,” Cook said. “But they are only marginally realistic.” Cook probably gets enough realism in police work every day. As chief of police in Mountain Brook for the past five years, … [Read more...]
All-Star Effort: Jaguars’ Wiley Leads North to Impressive Win
By Lee DavisAustin Wiley entered the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s All-Star Week with a big reputation. He left it with an even bigger one. Wiley, Spain Park’s 6-foot-11-inch center who has already committed to Auburn University, put together an impressive show in the North-South All-Star Basketball game. Wiley scored 30 points and snatched 15 rebounds … [Read more...]