THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 13, 1995 TAG: 9508130283
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
ONE OF CHURCHLAND High School's two father-son coaching combinations is breaking up.
Winston Brown, who has coached the Truckers' boys and girls outdoor and indoor track and cross-country teams with his dad, Clarence, for the past five years, has accepted the head coaching position in cross-country at Christopher Newport University.
Ken Taylor, Churchland's head football coach, has his father, Jerry, on his staff.
Brown also will assist head track coach Vince Brown at Christopher Newport.
``I have always wanted to get into coaching at the college level,'' said Winston. ``I certainly will miss coaching with my dad. I know he is one of the most knowledgable track coaches in the high school ranks - in all events.''
When Dave Sobal ended a seven-year stint as the Christopher Newport cross-country coach to accept a similar position at the University of Pittsburgh, Brown was among several coaches contacted by Christopher Newport officials to fill the vacancy. The candidates were trimmed to three and Brown was chosen.
In addition to his achievements in high school coaching, Winston came to the attention of Vince Brown through coaching at the Brevard College Running Camp. This camp is regarded as one of the nation's best running camps, and Winston has coached there for five summers.
``I have accepted a teaching position in physical education at Norcom High School this year,'' said Brown. ``When I saw (football coach) Jenson Baker planned to continue teaching at Wilson while coaching at Norfolk State, I became interested in doing the same thing.''
After an outstanding high school career at Western Branch, Brown was a standout distance runner at Old Dominion University. He set a school record in the 10,000-meter run.
Brown, who will be 30 on Sept. 10, coached at Norfolk Catholic and Western Branch before going to Churchland in 1990.
The Browns rebuilt the track program at Churchland. ``We've had a lot of hard-working athletes who helped us go from the cellar to being a contender,'' said Winston. ``With the development of some this year, I look for Churchland to have another outstanding track team.''
Brown called the past season in cross-country at Churchland as ``very rewarding.''
``We just missed making the state and I was heart-broken.''
Brown, who finishes his high school classes at 2 p.m., plans to hold his daily practices at Christopher Newport from 3:30 p.m. to about 5:30.
He inherited a team that won the Southeastern Region championship last year. However, four of the top seven runners graduated.
One of his mainstays, likely the team's finest runner, is no stranger to Brown. He's James Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe ran at Western Branch when Brown coached there.
``Right now, we have 14 on the men's squad and five on the women's team,'' said Brown. ``I've already been in contact with many of them.''
Another former Western Branch star, Hank Savedge, has transferred to Christopher Newport from East Tennessee. Savedge may be red-shirted this year.
Chesapeake's Jason Lowder is another team member.
Christopher Newport will open its cross-country season Sept. 9.
Brown is ``hopeful'' his team will qualify for the Nationals in November in Wisconsin.
``We can't offer athletic scholarships, but I don't view recruiting as a problem. We have a good-size coaching staff in track, and I can promise each athlete he will not just be a number. He will get good coaching and individual attention.
``I nearly attended the school myself instead of Old Dominion. I know what a fine school Christopher Newport is. Now we're in the process of building dorms and the school is getting much more of a college atmosphere.''
He's confident that his team will be a winner.
``Right now I'm just adjusting to the changes in coaching at the college level. I'm not accustomed to having an office, a telephone and an expense account.''
Added Brown: ``But I can tell you that my goal is to win the Division 3 National championship. I will be making every effort to convince every good runner in this area to attend Christopher Newport.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JIM WALKER
Winston Brown will take over as head cross-country coach at
Christopher Newport University while also teaching at Norcom High
School.
by CNB