From the first day he took the job as the student activities director for Cumberland County Schools, David Culbreth said it was all about doing right by the kids, and that he has always been about people.
But after a three-year run, and a distinguished career as both an athlete and coach, Culbreth has decided to move on. He recently told the Cumberland County Board of Education he plans to step down on April 1.
But Culbreth is definitely no April Fool, and he has the resume to prove it. He was a state champion wrestler at his alma mater Seventy-First.
He would return to the school as head wrestling coach, and built what are still considered of the greatest high school wrestling teams not only in the county, but the entire state back in 1999 and 2000, twice winning state titles.
His 1999 team won the dual team and individual state titles, crowned five individual champions, and set a state record at the time for most points scored in a championship meet, 191.
He later moved into administration, serving as athletic director at South View then principal at Pine Forest before taking the reins of county high school athletics.
But recently he felt pulled by both internal and external forces to step aside and allow younger blood to take control of things while at age 54 he looks at the next chapter of his life.
“I wanted to do something that I felt like would have some purpose,’’ he said of his decision to teach and coach. He said legendary county educator Mary McDuffie told him she wanted teachers willing to coach, not coaches willing to teach.
Culbreth replied that he wasn’t saying he didn’t want to teach, but he knew he wanted to coach wrestling, and he was hired.
“I just always knew trying to do the best by kids in every decision that you make each day makes it in the best interest of the kids,’’ he said.
But Culbreth said the landscape of high school sports is undergoing vast changes. He didn’t mention specifics, but he alluded to the upheaval caused by the General Assembly and recent legislation it passed that dramatically limits the ability of the N.C. High School Athletic Association to oversee high school sports.
Culbreth said he recalled a teacher telling him that when you don’t want change, that’s the time you should look to get out and do something else.
“I think it was some of that for me,’’ he said. “I don’t know that I agree with all of the changes that are being proposed with high school athletics.’’
As he goes, he’s aware that schools are all about instruction, with good reason. But he said it’s important to keep in mind the role of athletics in the total school package, and try to hire people who will enhance it.
That’s especially true when it comes to athletic administration. Culbreth said you can’t just plug anybody into that job.
“It’s got to be somebody that wants to do it,’’ he said. “You’re talking about somebody who might work 14 hours a day. You’ve got to have somebody that wants to do it with a passion.’’
The thing he will miss most is the relationships with the students and the atmosphere and camaraderie of the school building.
“It’s an exciting place to be,’’ he said. “I always tell the kids, you keep me young, you keep me on my toes.’’
His immediate future plans aren’t set in stone. He wants to spend more time with his parents and might finally take the time to learn how to play the piano, which would fit well with his reputation as a gifted singer.
He’ll also continue to stay busy as a high school wrestling official. “I’m young,’’ he said. “I’ve been blessed.’’
I’ve been reading the various stories about plans to build a new E.E. Smith High School, with a proposal recently put forward to construct the new building on property at Fort Liberty where Stryker Golf Course used to be.
I respect there are various logistical challenges in building on the existing property, and that finding land near the current campus has been difficult to impossible thus far.
But I’m afraid the people involved in making this decision just don’t fully appreciate the passion the E.E. Smith community feels for the structure at 1800 Seabrook Road.
This goes way beyond a physical plant. This is people, emotions and a rich history. Especially when you bring athletics into the mix.
Some of the greatest athletes and coaches in the history of Fayetteville walked the halls, the fields and the gym at Smith.
I keep the picture attached to this article in my telephone. It’s the monument near the end zone of the football field erected in memory of the late, great D.T. Carter, one of the finest coaches and gentlemen it was my privilege to meet.
Coach Carter beat a lot of challenges in his career, and it’s time for the Smith community and the folks with the county schools to take a page from him and work this problem out.
Don’t just say there’s no land or we can’t compromise. There has to be some middle ground, some option that will honor the Smith tradition and keep the legends of the Golden Bulls a little closer to home.
Put your heads together and find them, so as Coach Carter was so fond of saying, “The sun is going to come up tomorrow.’’
Congratulations to Coach Chris Green and his Pine Forest High School wrestling team. They recently earned their third consecutive All American Conference championship with a 58-16 victory against Overhills.
On Friday, Feb. 9, South View High School will hold a ceremony to retire the basketball jersey of former Tiger star Jeff Capel.
Capel, who went on to play for Mike Krzyzewski at Duke and is currently head basketball coach at Pittsburgh, led South View to the state 4-A championship in 1993 under the late Ron Miller.
The ceremony will be held in conjunction with South View’s annual Senior Night celebration prior to the boys’ varsity game at approximately 7:30 p.m.
The Tigers are scheduled to play Gray’s Creek that evening.