Tag Archives: Athletic Coaches

Coronavirus claims life of Florida teacher and coach Robert Shackelford

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Florida history teacher and former football coach Robert Shackelford succumbs to the coronavirus.

Sadly, the coronavirus has claimed the life of yet another beloved educator. Robert Shackelford, a Florida teacher and former football coach, passed away from the disease on July 22, 2020. He was 61 years old.

In a career that spanned 30 years, Robert taught social studies at Sarasota High School in Sarasota, Florida. Robert had planned to teach only one more year before retiring.

In addition to teaching, Robert earned some fame as a pro football player. He played football in the NFL as a free agent for the Packers in 1981, the Atlanta Falcons in 1982, and the Birmingham Stallions in 1983. He coached football with the US Army at Ft. Benning, Union College in Kentucky, and University of Central Flolrida. In 1994, he coached with the Tampa Bay Storm. Once he went to work at the high school level, Robert coached high school football in Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte Counties.

But it was his career as a classroom educator that really filled his life. “Teaching was not a profession for dad, it was not a job, it was a calling,” remembers Robert’s daughter, Kari Shackelford. “It was something he had a true gift for,” she said. Robert’s colleague Stella Karas agreed. “He really loved what he did,” she declared. “He had among the highest scores for US History, and just was an encyclopedia of knowledge when it came to all things history and government,” she commented. Karas said Robert had a way of capturing the attention of his students. He made a subject not many students were interested in fascinating. “He really made history come alive for his kids,” she said.

Robert Shackelford will be be missed by many. To read more about this amazing educator, see the story about him published online by WTSP-TV 10.

Mississippi teacher and coach Nacoma James succumbs to Covid-19

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Sadly, Covid-19 is believed to have claimed the life of educator Nacoma James, a teacher and coach from Oxford, Mississippi. He passed away on Aug. 6, 2020.

Sadly, we announce that Covid-19 is believed to have claimed the life of yet another beloved educator. Nacoma James, a teacher and coach at Lafayette County Schools in Lafayette, Mississippi, passed away on August 6, 2020. He was only 42 years old. He succumbed during the first week of the new school year, while self-quarantining for symptoms that are associated with Covid-19.

Nacoma was born on October 13, 1977, in Webster County, Mississippi. As a teen, he attended Eupora High School in Webster County School District, where he graduated in 1996. After his high school graduation, he enrolled at the University of Mississippi. He earned His Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics in 2000.

After graduating college, Nacoma accepted a position at Humphrey’s County High School. There he taught math and was an Assistant Football Coach from 2000 to 2003.

Since 2004, James worked as a middle school teacher and coach for Lafayette County School District in Oxford, Mississippi. Over the span of his 16-year career at Lafayette, Nacoma served as an Assistant Football Coach. He also served as the Boys’ Head Basketball Coach from 2012 to 2015. He was also named recently as an Assistant Coach for the Girls’ Powerlifting team.

“He was a great mentor for these young men around here and always had a smile on his face,” declares colleague and Head Football Coach Michael Fair. “We won a state championship together in 2016, and he had so much pride for Lafayette and loves this place so much,” Fair continued. “Just to see that look on his face of accomplishment, I probably won’t forget that, Fair concluded.

To learn more about this beloved educator, see this link to Mississippi Today.

Beloved Detroit educator and coach Dwight Jones succumbs to Covid-19

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Beloved educator and coach Dwight Jones (front row, left) with the Mumford High School girls basketball team and their 2017 championship trophy. Dwight passed away from Covid-19 on March 29, 2020. Photo credit: Mumford High School

Sadly, Covid-19 has claimed the life of yet another beloved educator. Dwight Jones, a retired basketball coach from Mumford High School in Detroit, Michigan. He was 73 years old when he succumbed to the disease on March 29, 2020.

Dwight first made a name for himself as a teenager in the early 1960s. He was one of the very few African Americans enrolled at Holy Redeemer High School, a private Catholic high school located in southwest Detroit. At 6’5″ and 230 pounds, he was unparalleled at rebounding. In fact, he earned the nickname “Hawk” throughout the Catholic League. In those days, he was involved in football, baseball, and track and field in addition to basketball. At the same time, he earned top grades.

The well-rounded student earned a full-ride scholarship to Tennessee State in Nashville. There he played on the basketball team. He pledged to the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

Dwight returned to Detroit, and in 1970 he accepted a position at Mumford High School. There he taught physical education and coached both girls and boys basketball. He also coached track and field, cross country, and tennis, and he served as the school’s Athletic Director. His career there spanned nearly five decades.

In addition to helping his young players develop their athletic talents, Dwight also worked hard to get them into college, whether it was a Division I or II school, or a historically Black college. “When he took over as Athletic Director, he was all about grades,” remembered Mumford colleague and former student Kevin Jackson. “Words can’t express what he meant to us.”

To read more about this legendary local hero, read this online story published by Detroit News.

Math educator, soccer coach, and outstanding athlete Lorraine Fitzhugh

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High school math educator and coach Lorraine Fitzhugh of Minden, Nevada, has also earned acclaim as a women’s soccer player.

There are countless examples of outstanding athletes who have gone on to successful careers as educators. One of these is Lorraine Fitzhugh, an outstanding soccer player who went on to coach and teach in Minden, Nevada.

After her high school graduation, Lorraine attended Washington State University, where she played soccer for her college team. Her position was defender. Between 1985 and 1987, she trained with the Western Regional team of the US National program. later, she played for a soccer club based in Seattle. That club won an over-30 national championship. In 1986, Lorraine competed with the US team in a play-off match against Canada for the North American Cup title. In that match, the US team emerged victorious.

In 1999, Lorraine accepted a position as a mathematics and technology teacher at Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School in Gardnerville, Nevada. The next year, she transferred to Douglas High School in Minden, Nevada. There she served as the coach of the boys’ junior varsity soccer team. The following year, she became Head Coach of the girls’ soccer team. Over the next eight years, she led her girls to two state titles, two regional championships, and three Sierra League titles. She retired from coaching in 2013.

Lorraine’s career as an educator has spanned 20 years. She continues to teach math, AP Computer Science, and Computer Science Principles. She also serves her school as a STEAM leader. To read more about this amazing athlete and educator, see this link at the Record-Courier.

Teacher, coach, and athletic director Paul Loggan succumbs to coronavirus

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Teacher, coach, and athletic director Paul Loggan of North Central High School in Indiana, succumbed to coronavirus on April 12, 2020.

Sadly, the coronavirus has claimed the life of another dedicated educator. Paul Loggan of Indianapolis, Indiana, succumbed to the illness on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020. He was only 57 years old.

Paul was born on April 5, 1963. As a young man, he graduated from Rushville High School in Rushville, Indiana, and then enrolled at the University of Indianapolis. He attended the university from 1981 to 1985. There he was an All-American linebacker. In 1981, he was a member of the Heartland Collegiate Conference Championship team.

Paul was named the Athletic Director of North Central High School in Washington Township, Indianapolis, in 2014. He had already been serving his school as a teacher, coach, department chair, and assistant athletic director. His career at North Central, which began in 1988. Before teaching at North Central, he also taught at Roncalli and Franklin High Schools. In all, Paul devoted 31 years of his life to his profession.

During his lengthy career, Paul coached 24 Division II and 36 Division I athletes, including players in a total of 14 bowl games. Three of his former players went on to play in the NFL. For his many successes as a coach, Paul garnered the Ken Leffler Award Contribution from the Indiana Football Coaches Association in 1990. He also earned the President’s Award winner for the Indiana Football Coaches Association in 1992. In addition, he was named a member of the UIndy Board of Directors for the Greyhound Club from 2005 to 2010. He was inducted into the University of Indiana Hall of Fame in 2012.

“Paul’s passion and dedication for North Central were unmatched,” remembered Rick Doss, Director of Secondary Schools of Washington Township. “He was an unbelievable advocate for NC athletics and every student who ever donned an NC uniform. While he wanted every NC team to win a state championship, he was he was an even bigger cheerleader for every NC athlete,” Doss continued. “He knew the value of team sports but wanted every student to grow through his/her athletic experience because he knew those experiences would set him/her up for success beyond high school,” Doss concluded.

To learn more about this amazing chalkboard champion, see this online article at WishTV.