Coach Doug Lowe Announces Retirement

Doug Lowe, long-serving head basketball coach from Spartanburg High School, announced he will retire at the end of the 2009-2010 school year. Over the past 34 years, Coach Lowe has mentored thousands of young athletes inspiring them to produce the caliber of play that made Viking basketball one of the powerhouses in the state.

A former assistant coach, Lowe became head coach of the Vikings in 1979. Over his successful coaching career, he guided the team to a 626-212 record, received 17 Region II AAAA titles, played in four state finals (1987, 1989, 2002, and 2008) and won one state championship in 2002. On January 2, 2009, Coach Lowe reached a coaching milestone when he won his 600th career game with a 95-77 victory against York. In his 31-year career, Coach Lowe has never had a losing season. Furthermore, he won 20 or more games in 17 seasons.

Lowe also received recognition as Region II AAAA Coach of the Year 15 times, was named the South Carolina Basketball Coach of the Year in 1987, and the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association Basketball Coach of the Year in 2002.

When asked to comment, Coach Lowe said, "I appreciate the opportunity I have had coaching at Spartanburg High School, my alma mater. I have always had an extra degree of pride for our school and have very fond memories here that I will take with me. It has been a great blessing for me to have had the chance to coach the many players that have come through our program over the years. I am also grateful to all the coaches that I have had a chance to work with."

Spartanburg athletic director Myles Wilson said Lowe's always brought his passion and love for the game. Wilson said, "His record speaks volumes. He put SHS basketball on the map and has had a great impact in his kids' lives. Doug was always tough on his team in games and at practices, but when those kids walked out the door to go home, they always knew that Coach Lowe is on their side. He takes care of them like they are his kids."
Principal Jeff Stevens was saddened to hear the news. "I have known Coach Lowe for many, many years, back to when I was a student at SHS. I have always been impressed by his passion, commitment, dedication, and loyalty to his players and to Spartanburg High School. Coaches like him are rare, and replacing him will be a difficult task. He will be missed by all."

Superintendent Thomas White said, “" have great respect for Coach Lowe as a coach, but even more as a person. His fellow coaches, teachers, students, players, and parents also respect and admire him. Coach Lowe cares deeply for people and has a huge heart for his students. Folks who don't know him will have really missed a treat. I look forward to seeing what Coach Lowe will accomplish in the next phase of his life and I wish him all the best."

Coach Lowe is highly respected by his students and fellow colleagues, and his strong leadership reflects great credit on the coaching profession, Spartanburg High School, and District 7. As Coach Lowe enters a new phase of his career, we look forward to his future accomplishments. The district now faces the challenge of finding a new Varsity Boys Basketball Head Coach. The search will begin immediately.

Myles Wilson Earns Prestigious Award

Each year the South Carolina Athletic Administrators Association (SCAAA) presents annual awards to outstanding athletic directors in recognition of contributions to interscholastic athletics at the local, state and national levels. The SCAAA has announced that Myles Wilson, Spartanburg School District 7 Athletic Director, has been selected as the 2009 - 2010 South Carolina Athletic Administrators Association Athletic Director of the Year.

Wilson has developed an outstanding reputation as a leader among his peers. He was named the SCAAA's 2008 4-A Athletic Director of the Year and was also selected as the Region II 4A Athletic Director of the Year in 2006, 2008, and 2010. In addition, Wilson is one of 25 certified athletic administrators in South Carolina, is a leadership training instructor for the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, and also serves as the SC state liaison to the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. Under Wilson's leadership, Spartanburg High School athletics have made tremendous strides in becoming a prominent program in Spartanburg County and statewide.

Student Fees

Dr. Samantha Maddox named a finalist in South Carolina Teacher of the Year program

The South Carolina Department of Education announced today Dr. Samantha (Sam) Maddox, English/language arts teacher at Spartanburg High School, has been named one of the five finalists in South Carolina's State Teacher of the Year Program. Dr. Maddox was chosen by a panel of educators and private citizens for her ability to facilitate professional development, for her involvement in her school and community, and for her dedication to the teaching profession.

In addition to working with students at Spartanburg High School, Dr. Maddox is a successful grant writer who has developed a Read for Success program which involves her Dutch Shepherd Remo and struggling readers. She has created a library of high-interest books and has revamped her American literature course to include minority and contemporary writers. Maddox strives to listen to her students' fears, help them reveal their strengths and face their challenges, and be the support they need to rise above circumstances that are not always ideal.

As a health and fitness advocate, Sam has also contributed to the school district's wellness program and currently serves as the high school's wellness champion. Sam is a second-degree "black belt" who has offered personal safety workshops to students from the junior high to college level since 2001. Additionally, Sam is a certified yoga teacher who offers workshops to Girl Scouts and is a fitness instructor.

Dr. Maddox is a graduate of Wofford College and received a master of education degree from Converse College and doctorate in education from the University of South Carolina. She is National Board-certified and has 16 years teaching experience.

In her years as a teacher, Sam says she considers the role she plays in a student's personal growth and development to be her greatest accomplishment. "It is humbling to know that I have been part of the process to encourage student learning," she explained. "I want every student to leave my classroom with the ability to flourish and the confidence to become a life-long learner."

The announcement of South Carolina's 2010-11 Teacher of the Year will be made at the corporate-sponsored Teacher of the Year celebration Wednesday, April 28 in Columbia. During the next school year, the winning teacher will participate in a one-year residency program at the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement (CERRA) and serve as a statewide ambassador for the profession. The State Teacher of the Year also receives a $25,000 cash award and a BMW X5 48i to use for a year and will participate in Leadership South Carolina, attend Notre Dame's prestigious three-day Excellence in Teaching Symposium, and receive a SMART board.

Announcements

Spartanburg High School Track & Cross Country

The Boys & Girls Track Teams both defeated Byrnes High School and Gaffney High School on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at Byrnes High School. The Girls track team beat Byrnes 103 to 35 and Gaffney 108 to 37.The Boys Track Team beat Byrnes 89 to 42 and Gaffney 80 1/2 to 61 1/2. The Boys & Girls Teams are both 2-0 for the seaon and 1-0 in the Region.

Spartanburg High School Boys Varsity Golf

The Spartanburg High School Boys Viking Golf Team won the Rebel Invitational tournament on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 by one shot over 2nd place Riverside High School. Ronnie Funk and Henry Taylor made the all tournament team.

Spartanburg High School Wrestling

SHS's Hunter Allen claimed individual championship runner-up at the South Carolina High School League's Individual State Wrestling Championship Tournament in Rock Hill. Hunter was also selected to the South Carolina Wrestling Coaches Association Best Western North South All Star event in North Myrtle Beach.

Spartanburg High School Boys Varsity Soccer

The Spartanburg High School Boys Varsity Soccer team defeated Wren High School by a score of 4 goals to 1 in the Byrnes Invitational Soccer tournament March 5-7, 2010. Jordy Velasco, Kevin Osornio, Drew Middlebrooks, and Alex Hickerson scored for the Vikings. Hal Cannon and Chris Gentry each had an outstanding game.

Spartanburg High School Boys Varsity Basketball

Andre Whitmire, Qwan Fuller, and Michael Harpe have been named to the All Region 2 Boys Basketball team.

Class of 2009

The Seniors of the Class of 2009 were accepted to over 100 Colleges and Universities throughout twenty-one states and the District of Columbia. Below are the Colleges and Universities where Spartanburg High School students were accepted:
Agnes Scott College
Airline Academy
Alabama State University
Anderson University
Appalachian State University
Auburn University
Benedict College
Brevard College
Catawba College
Cazenovia College
Central Piedmont Community College
Centre College
Charleston Southern University
The Citadel
Claflin University
Clemson University
Clinton Junior College
Coastal Carolina University
College of Charleston
College of Charleston
Converse College
DeVry University
Duke University
ECPI, College of Technology
Elon University
Emmanuel College
Florida State University
Francis Marion University
Furman University
Gardner-Webb University
Greenville Technical College
Hampton University
Harvard University
Howard University
ITT Technical Institute
Johnson & Wales University
Kings College
Lander University
Limestone College
Morehouse College
Morris College
Nashville Auto-Diesel College
Newberry College
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
North Greenville College
Oglethorpe University
Presbyterian College
Rhodes College
Saint Augustine's College
Salem College
Savannah College of Art and Design, GA
Sewanee: The University of the South
South Carolina State University
Spartanburg Community College
Spartanburg Methodist College
Tennessee State University
Tri-County Technical College
Tusculum College
Tuskegee University
United States Military Academy
University of Miami
University of Minnesota
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
University of North Texas
University of South Carolina - Columbia
University of South Carolina - Union
University of South Carolina - Upstate
Virginia College in Greenville
Voorhees College
Wake Forest University
Warren Wilson College
West Virginia State University
Winston-Salem State University
Winthrop University
Wofford College
Yale University

Aaron Gantt, Spartanburg High School Band Director, named Bi-Lo’s Golden Apple Award Winner

North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia have some amazing teachers. As a result, WYFF News 4 receives a competitive list of teachers considered for Bi-Lo's Golden Apple Award. During the news broadcast last night WYFF News 4 announced that their Golden Apple Award winner was Aaron Gantt, Band Director at Spartanburg High School. Mr. Gantt oversees the district’s band program and also conducts the marching band, symphonic band, wind ensemble, and color guard. He was honored for being a dedicated professional who goes above and beyond the standard teaching methods. Aaron is one of those teachers who is completely dedicated to his craft and ultimately passionate about his work with young people.

Spartanburg High School Coaches, Smiley and Rice, Named as SCTCCCA Hall of Fame Inductee

South Carolina high school cross country and track and field coaches met at the South Carolina High School League Office in Columbia Saturday morning for the South Carolina Track and Cross Country Coaches Association winter meeting.

Spartanburg's Glover Smiley and Shay Rice, now retired, was announced as hall of fame inductee and will be inducted March 27 at the SCTCCCA Coaches Classic meet at West Ashley in Charleston.

The state track and field meet will be in Columbia. The location has not been announced. Lower Richland, 2009 host, has put in a bid, association president Daniel Brooks said in the meeting.

Related Photos

Andre Whitmire Named Herald-Journal’s Boys Basketball Player of the Week

Glover L. Smiley, Jr. Guiding the Way

February 10, 2010

Glover L. Smiley, Jr. Guiding the Way

Over the years he has been an inspiration and positive influence in the lives of hundreds of student-athletes. It is for this reason that we are proud to recognize Glover L. Smiley, Jr. as one of our 2010 Upstate Black History Makers.

Mr. Smiley is currently a guidance counselor and head track coach at Spartanburg High School. He has served as a guidance counselor since 1989 and as the head track coach since 1993.

Mr. Smiley holds a Master's Degree in Guidance from Marshall University and the University of West Virginia, EDS degree +30 from the University of South Carolina, a B.S. Degree from West Virginia State University and an Associate's Degree from West Virginia State University. He is a native of Chicago, Illinois and was born in Newton, Mississippi.

Mr. Smiley began his career as an Administrator at West Virginia State University in 1977. He then moved on to several other positions including Director of Alumni Affairs, Intramural Director, Residence Hall Director, Head Men & Women's Track Coach, Head Men & Women's Cross Country Coach, Head Women's Basketball Coach and assistant Football Coach. He was selected as the NAIA Men & Women's College Track Coach of the year five (5) times during his tenure at West Virginia State, the NAIA District 28 Men & Women's Track Coach of the Year six (6) times and the WVIAC Conference Men & Women's Track Coach of the year six (6) times at West Virginia State.

Mr. Smiley is widely known and respected for his work with assisting young men and women to find a way to attend college. He is also widely known as an outstanding and caring track and field coach. He has been named the Region II 4A Track Coach of the Year nine (9) times. As a college track coach, Coach Smiley coached 14 All-Americans and 3 National Champions. On the high school level, he has coached 47 high school All-Americans and 4 High School National Champions since 1991. On January 9, 2010, Mr. Smiley was selected for the South Carolina Cross Country & Track Coaches Association.

Mr. Smiley has two children - Angela Karyn Smiley and Mitchell Ramseur. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

For supporting academic and athletic success among our youth, 107.3 JAMZ is proud to salute Glover L. Smiley, Jr. as one of our Upstate Black History Makers.

Spartanburg High School seniors Benjamin Chalmers and Laura Haselden identified as 2010 Presidential

The South Carolina Department of Education announced today that two seniors from Spartanburg High School, Benjamin Chalmers and Laura Haselden, have been identified as 2010 Presidential Scholars. These two are among a group of sixty-eight South Carolina high school seniors that have been identified as candidates for the scholars program that honors young people for outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship and community service.

The candidate pool in this first round consists of some 3,000 students with high SAT or ACT scores. In the semifinal round a review committee will narrow that list to about 500 honorees. Approximately 120 students, two from each state, will make the final round and be invited to an awards program in Washington, DC, this coming June. Last year, the two Presidential Scholars from South Carolina were Bonnie Antosh and Drew Henderson both Spartanburg High School seniors.

The United States Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by Executive Order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our Nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Each year, up to 141 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the Nation's highest honors for high school students. In honoring the Presidential Scholars, the President of the United States symbolically honors all graduating high school seniors of high potential.

Jeff Stevens, Principal, Spartanburg High School, commented, "Last year the US Presidential Scholars Program honored two of SHS's best and brightest students and this year is no different. Both, Ben and Laura, are shining examples of excellence in academics and in their pursuits to contribute to our community. I celebrate their success and also commend our dedicated staff whose commitment to academic excellence is standard. I couldn't be more proud."