Rogers tabbed to lead cross country program
By Joe Pritchett
Clarion Editor
Jay Rogers, long-time assistant to former head coach Mike Johnson, has been tabbed as the
next Glenwood High School head cross country coach.
GHS Athletic Director Dan Rourke will send that recommendation on to the Ball-Chatham Board
of Education for approval at its next meeting, set for Monday, April 26.
Mike Garber, a GHS graduate, former cross country runner and current History teacher at GHS, is
the recommended choice for the assistant coaching position.
Rogers, who is employed by Bank and Trust Company of Chatham, was a member of the state
champion 1979 Petersburg PORTA cross country team that was coached by Johnson. Rogers is
also a member of the Springfield Road Runners Hall of Fame. His daughter, Lindsay, was an All-
State runner as a freshman at GHS this past season.
"This has been a strong program for as long as I've been here," Rourke stated. "Mike Johnson
did a great job with Jay's assistance, so it makes sense to not try to reinvent the wheel. Let's get Jay
in here and maintain what we've been doing."
Though Rogers is not a teacher in the district, Rourke noted, "We discussed that. There's no
question about Jay's ability to coach, we just have to make sure the communication is good. And
Mike Garber will help assist with that."
A pool of about 10 applicants were considered, Rourke said, and after flirting with the idea of a
strong outside candidate, he stated, "Jay is very passionate about cross country, and he was anxious
and interested in how we were going to move forward. He finally said, 'Why not me?' It was his
decision to put his hat in the ring and I'm glad he came to that decision.
"I think the cross country community here is comfortable with these guys," he added.
•As for the open head girls basketball position, Rourke is moving closer to making a
recommendation to the school board.
"We've had several applications, and some outside the district have shown interest and decided
not to leave their current position," Rourke explained. "It starts getting into the teaching side, which is
very important. Of the openings we have, the first thing we look at is the applicant's ability in the
classroom, then we look at what they can coach."
Rourke may have a recommendation to the board in time for Monday's meeting. "We still have
applicants from inside and outside the district under consideration," he continued. "We are definitely
paying very close attention and we want to do things right for the girls basketball program."
By Joe Pritchett
Clarion Editor
Jay Rogers, long-time assistant to former head coach Mike Johnson, has been tabbed as the
next Glenwood High School head cross country coach.
GHS Athletic Director Dan Rourke will send that recommendation on to the Ball-Chatham Board
of Education for approval at its next meeting, set for Monday, April 26.
Mike Garber, a GHS graduate, former cross country runner and current History teacher at GHS, is
the recommended choice for the assistant coaching position.
Rogers, who is employed by Bank and Trust Company of Chatham, was a member of the state
champion 1979 Petersburg PORTA cross country team that was coached by Johnson. Rogers is
also a member of the Springfield Road Runners Hall of Fame. His daughter, Lindsay, was an All-
State runner as a freshman at GHS this past season.
"This has been a strong program for as long as I've been here," Rourke stated. "Mike Johnson
did a great job with Jay's assistance, so it makes sense to not try to reinvent the wheel. Let's get Jay
in here and maintain what we've been doing."
Though Rogers is not a teacher in the district, Rourke noted, "We discussed that. There's no
question about Jay's ability to coach, we just have to make sure the communication is good. And
Mike Garber will help assist with that."
A pool of about 10 applicants were considered, Rourke said, and after flirting with the idea of a
strong outside candidate, he stated, "Jay is very passionate about cross country, and he was anxious
and interested in how we were going to move forward. He finally said, 'Why not me?' It was his
decision to put his hat in the ring and I'm glad he came to that decision.
"I think the cross country community here is comfortable with these guys," he added.
•As for the open head girls basketball position, Rourke is moving closer to making a
recommendation to the school board.
"We've had several applications, and some outside the district have shown interest and decided
not to leave their current position," Rourke explained. "It starts getting into the teaching side, which is
very important. Of the openings we have, the first thing we look at is the applicant's ability in the
classroom, then we look at what they can coach."
Rourke may have a recommendation to the board in time for Monday's meeting. "We still have
applicants from inside and outside the district under consideration," he continued. "We are definitely
paying very close attention and we want to do things right for the girls basketball program."
Chatham Clarion
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Issue Date: April 22, 2010
