Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 13, 1993 TAG: 9307130050
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BRIAN DeVIDO STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Medium
David Wright, Pulaski County High School cross-country coach for 19 seasons, has been told by school Principal Thomas DeBolt that he will not return as coach next year.
Wright doesn't understand.
He led the team to four Roanoke Valley District meet titles and five regular season titles in his tenure. He said he has had about 20 runners compete in his program each year, considered an average turnout for a program in the district.
Wright says he was told by DeBolt the program needed 50 runners competing, a summer running program and generally more spark.
"I asked him [DeBolt] if I could stay next year and finish it out with the seniors," Wright said. "But the more I talked to him, the more I saw I wouldn't be able to change his mind."
DeBolt said the decision was made for the future of the program.
"I'm looking for an exemplary program," he said. "Championships.
"It also involves lots of young people. It communicates the lessons of life. It takes a passion and enthusiasm to do these things."
Coaches and runners agree: Wright and his program seem to have what the principal wants.
"He's like a dad to many of us," said Patrick Clapsaddle, a rising senior at Pulaski County who will be the captain on the boys team next year. "He keeps a close check on all of his athletes, whether it's a problem at home or at school."
"He'd come in at six in the morning to run with us," said Diane Owens, who ran under Wright for four years. "He was always there for us. He was committed to the team."
DeBolt would not comment on Wright's enthusiasm or commitment level. "I don't want to get into a personnel evaluation," he said.
The mere mention of having 50 runners on a team was enough to draw laughter from several Roanoke Valley District coaches.
"I wish that were true," said William Fleming head coach Rudy Dillard, laughing. "In this area, you're not gonna get that many out here. Maybe 15-20 at the most."
Franklin County head coach Jerry Saleeby agreed. "That's totally unrealistic," he said. "I can count on one hand the schools in the state with 50 runners. Nobody has near 50."
DeBolt's response? "Anybody who would say that, I don't want coaching for me anyway," he said, laughing.
But Wright's situation is no laughing matter.
"It really does bother me that someone could put in all that time and effort and just be relieved," Saleeby said. "It's hard to understand why."
Wright's team finished third in the district last season, a respectable finish compared to some of Pulaski County's other smaller sports.
Although the football team won the state Group AAA Division 6 title and the basketball team made it to the regional tournament, the boys' and girls' outdoor track teams finished near the bottom in the district. And Pulaski County had the only cross-country runner in the district that made it to the state meet.
"Whether you send one or two is different than if you send a whole team," DeBolt countered. "If you go to the state meet, you see jerseys from Lake Braddock, Woodbridge . . . schools like that. You don't see many from around here."
"That's true; it is," Wright said. "But nobody else in our district had anybody go to states."
Wright coached for nearly 20 years at Pulaski County and won his share of titles.
He said he will continue to teach health and physical education at the school, but a return to coaching is uncertain at this point.
by CNB