Michael Hargett is stepping into a new role at J.Z. George High School, but one he knows all too well. Things may have changed, but for Hargett, it’s just settling back in.
Hargett has been named the new athletic director for the Jaguars, taking over from Nathan Moncrief, who stepped into the role of principal. Hargett said the transition has been pretty good so far.
“I was the athletic director at Charleston for eight years, so there’s not much difference. I’m just getting back in the groove. Some things are new, new forms to fill out, but everything else I’m familiar,” Hargett said. “It’s making sure our students have different sports, safest way to travel, the best equipment.”
He said he wants the student athletes at J.Z. George to enjoy their high school athletic career. “We know that education is the most important thing, but we also know that sports come along with it.” Hargett said the two can be linked together, motivating a kid to do well and success on and off the field.
“We want to get as many as we can to participate,” he said. “So, we have a good variety of sports. Looking to add some more.”
J.Z. George currently offers archery, powerlifting, track, football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, fastpitch softball, cheer, dance and band. The district added volleyball, powerlifting, cross country, dance and archery within the last couple of years.
“We’re in our second year of powerlifting. Coach [Rusty] Smith coaches powerlifting, and I think he had one to go to state. So, they did well.”
“Not every child likes to play football, basketball or baseball,” he said. “Those are the core sports, but we want to add more to give a variety.” Hargett said they want to encourage kids to play sports, and they encourage their students to do more than one sport.
“Because we’re a small school, we encourage them to play multiple sports,” he said. “We’re hoping to have a successful year this year.”
Hargett said they have begun workouts but they’re doing it in intervals to get their students acclimated to the heat.
“You can’t put them all in it at one time; that could be a bad thing. So, we’re doing it a little at a time to get them used to being out in the heat,” he said. Hargett said coaches also encourage their players to stay hydrated.
“They have to stay hydrated with water and Gatorade. Then they’re hydrated, it helps them to perform better,” he said.
Hargett said with his new position, he’s stepping back from baseball, but not completely from coaching.
“Rusty Smith is our head junior high and high school football coach, he’s also our powerlifting coach, boys’ basketball is Ahmad Alexander, girls’ basketball is Johnta’ Hughes. She comes to us from Riverside High. Tony Banks is the new baseball coach, Jamie Robertson is the fastpitch softball and volleyball coach, I coach cross country, Jeff Fulgham is the archery coach, Kizzie Edwards is the junior high cheerleader coach, Katina Duren is the high school cheerleader coach, Justin Banks is the band director and Rachelle Clay is the dance coach,” he said.
Hargett said Meet the Jaguars will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m.
