Schools look to expand athletic options

Jan. 25—County-wide athletic director Scott Maddox wants to offer more opportunities for students to be involved in their schools and their communities.

One way to offer that is through the Tennessee Middle Schools Association, Maddox noted during the Jan. 13 Cumberland County Board of Education annual retreat.

"We had our middle school tournament finals Thursday night," Maddox said. "We had a gym that was packed out with parents and grandparents and spectators. The competition was really good. It was fun watching the teams go back and forth."

Martin Elementary and Homestead Elementary were the top teams in both boys and girls basketball, with Martin taking the boys county title and Homestead winning the girls bracket.

"In the past, if we weren't part of the middle school association, their season was over," Maddox said. "Now, those four teams can go to the sectionals with 53 other teams."

From there, teams have the opportunity to advance to the state tournament.

"Never before have we been able to compete for a state title in middle school," Maddox said.

Maddox expects some tweaks in procedures and policies for middle school sports next year, but said the teams saw strong participation this year.

Another way is to expand athletic and extracurricular opportunities at the schools.

"Every time you increase your offerings with athletics or clubs, you hit a different set of students," Maddox said.

A gaming club was formed while he was principal at Stone Memorial High School.

"That became one of the most popular clubs in the school," Maddox said. "And you hit a group of students who may not have had another club to go to."

Last year, both high schools launched competitive fishing teams.

Looking ahead, he said schools are considering adding powder-puff girls football next year. And, there is a lot of interest in adding boys and girls lacrosse after it was sanctioned as a high school sport for the 2024-'25 school year by the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association.

"Hopefully somebody in this area has a past in lacrosse. If they do, come talk to me, because I've got students interested," Maddox said.

Maddox encourages anyone who would be interested in assisting the schools with development of lacrosse teams to contact him. He can be reached at the Central Office, 931-484-6135.

The school system is also looking at opportunities to expand athletics in academics. A class was offered on officiating as a profession. However, the class needs to be incorporated into a career and technical education pathway to allow the school system to maximize opportunities through the course. Teaching as a Profession is one potential pathway that could contain that course.

The school system is also working on offering athletic portfolios for every student athlete. It serves as a resume for the student and helps involve parents in the student's athletic career. The portfolio can also assist in postsecondary recruitment for students considering continuing to the next level. That involves purchasing software.

A parent code of conduct was also developed this past year and included in the county's athletic manual.

Maddox is working with Cumberland County High School to install video boards in the gym and football field to provide a revenue stream to support school athletics.

"When we did that at Stone, we started generating revenue that could be shared with other teams," Maddox said. "It is quite expensive, but the return on it is amazing."

Facilities are also a concern. During the January board committee meetings, board members discussed the need for tennis courts at both high schools.

The courts at Cumberland County High School have been demolished as part of the construction of the new auditorium, though they were in poor shape before that project. At Stone Memorial High School, four courts are useable, but all the courts — six — need to be replaced.

Director of Schools William Stepp recommended replacing courts at one school in the upcoming budget and addressing the other school in the next budget.

There has been concern about the upcoming tennis season. Stepp said SMHS will continue with their four courts. CCHS has been granted permission to use courts at Camp Nakanawa in Mayland, though that is a 20-minute drive from the school.

Rob Safdie, 2nd District representative, asked if the number of courts at each school could be reduced to reduce the cost of the project, from six courts to four. Anita Hale, 4th District representative, said that would limit participation and the ability of the school to host meets at home.

There may be some funds left in the contingency fund of the auditorium, which could then potentially go toward CCHS courts, but it is too early in that project to know if any contingency funds will be left.

Shannon Stout, 9th District representative, said it is possible the schools could share courts or find other options to be "cost effective."

Heather Mullinix is editor of the Crossville Chronicle. She covers schools and education in Cumberland County. She may be reached at hmullinix@crossville-chronicle.com.