Below is the article from GoDanRiver.com
WENTWORTH – When Buford Fox left Rockingham County High School a few years back, he knew somehow he would eventually return. On Wednesday that thought came through as Fox was named the new Athletic Director in Wentworth.
Fox, who has taught at Lincoln Elementary, Leaksville Spray, North Wilkes and Jamestown Ragsdale,...
takes over following the resignation of Jim Wright – who served as the school’s AD the past three years.
“This is a special place for me,” said Fox, whose wife, Andrea attended RCHS. “I wouldn’t leave Ragsdale for just any job. I have a passion for this school and this athletic program and I want people to know that.”
It was that message that is exactly what RCHS Principal Richie Weaver wanted to hear.
“We were looking for someone who was familiar with the school and the community,” said Weaver. “We also wanted someone who was going to be able to work well with different groups.”
Fox, 49, has spent the past seven and a half years in education. Prior to that, he owned a United Van Lines franchise.
Wright announced his resignation on May 25 and Weaver quickly got moving on the process knowing that July 1 would be quickly approaching.
“I knew this was an important decision, but I also knew that after July it really becomes busy for an athletic director,” he said. “There were some excellent candidates, but Buford came out as the unanimous selection.”
Weaver was part of a six-person committee that included Jim Wilson, Tim Eaves, Jennifer Powell, Joan Tatum and Andy Skrobola. Wilson is the Director of Athletic for all of the Rockingham County schools, Eaves recently retired as an assistant principal at RCHS, Powell is a teacher/coach at RCHS, Tatum is an assistant principal at RCHS and Skrobola is a parent, who has children at the school. Weaver added the importance of having a parent like Skrobola, who has a direct interest and concern about the school’s athletic program.
“Recently there has been a disconnection within the athletic department and we wanted to bring the community back and make them feel wanted,” said Weaver.
Fox was one of 25 people who expressed interest in the position and nine were interview by the committee.
Weaver added the final decision was made on Monday, but it needed School Board approval and that occurred on Wednesday morning.
Fox was quickly on the job on Thursday and preparing for the upcoming school year.
“The jamboree will be here soon and there are so many other things that need to be done,” said Fox, who coached football for one season at RCHS under current head coach Lin Stadler.
Fox worked with former RCHS athletic director Sam Jones, who retired in the summer of 2007.
“I want to be here for the coaches and the students,” said Fox. “That’s one of the things I always admired about Sam Jones. He always looked out for the athletic program and he had a passion for Rockingham. So do I.”
Fox’s biggest hurdle will be the upcoming NewBridge Bank Football Jamboree, which is scheduled for Aug. 13 at RCHS.
Rockingham is also looking for a varsity volleyball coach and a junior varsity baseball coach. The school recently announced the hiring of Adam Lindsay, a former Reidsville High School runner, who will be coaching boys’ cross country in Wentworth.
For the volleyball program, it will be the fifth coach in five seasons at RCHS.
First, Fox said he will meet with coaches both as a group and individually once he can get acclimated with the job.
“The potential is here for Rockingham to be the benchmark for athletics,” he added. “It is very important, but we’re also walking kids across the stage for graduation too.”
Fox has four children Amber, 25, Zachary, 18, Mallory, who will be a junior at Morehead High School this year and Brock, who will be an eighth-grader this year.
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