School Thanked for Sharing Facilities During Water Crisis

Copyright 2014 Charleston Newspapers
Charleston Daily Mail (West Virginia)

The administration, coaching staff and student athletes of South Charleston High School thank St. Albans High School Principal Jeff Kelly and girls basketball coach Scott James for their generous hospitality in allowing the SCHS boys and girls basketball teams to use their facilities during the Kanawha County water crisis.

Coach James, Assistant Principal Dale Glancy, Athletic Director Rick Whittman, Assistant Coach Jay Kemplin and Announcer Allen McVey spent their entire day at the school, not only assisting the Black Eagles in our games against Capital and Riverside, but also allowing several other high schools and middle schools access to their facilities for games and practices. The Ayash Center in St. Albans also allowed our boys to practice at their facility one day.

South Charleston once had the opportunity to allow the Red Dragon football team to use Oakes Field while Crawford Field was being renovated. As competitive as we are on the field of play, it's nice to know that away from scholastic competition we are good neighbors who help each other out.

These gestures, which occur within the Kanawha County School system on a regular basis, are in part what makes our school system great.

Although playing the games in a time of crisis may have raised the eyebrows of some, we felt it was a win-win for everyone. We were able to put together care packages for our student athletes consisting of towels and washcloths as well as shampoo and soap that were donated by the Four Points Sheraton of Charleston. After the games our kids were able to take a hot shower and get a bite to eat. We also eliminated stress on our already backed up schedules.

As administrators, we are aware of the burden placed on our children as a result of athletic contests on school nights. As a parent of a multiple sport athlete, I know this first hand. Knowing we are in the middle of snow season, we need to get games in whenever possible.

Also thanks to Mark Milam, assistant superintendent and Dr. Ron Duerring, superintendent, for supporting us in this effort. I believe everyone in attendance enjoyed their day. As Daily Mail sports writer Derek Taylor said, "It's great to have some normalcy in the middle of the chaos."

Michael Arbogast is principal of South Charleston High School.