Coaches Spotlight- Roger Edmonds
Roger Edmonds (pictured left)
1- Congrats on having a great regular season. When did you first become interested in Track and Field?
I ran track in high school and first became interested in coaching it when I worked a Junior Olympic meet when I was in college.
2- Did you compete in HS or College as an athlete? or another Sport?
Football was my primary sport in high school. Track was my second sport.
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3- Describe your journey from novice Coach to your Head Coaching position now
I just started asking questions and observing how the successful coaches ran their programs. Thank goodness men like Harry Bufford, Tim Kemp, Brady Sigler Gary Matthews, and Cooke Holliday were willing to help me.
4- How important is it to have the full support of the AD and resources available to succeed?
Well, since I am the AD, that is not a problem. When I first started at Cedar, Charles Turner was the AD. His support of the program was instrumental in getting ys where we are today
5- What are some of the challenges in building a successful program?
Sometimes it is hard to sell that to a kid. It just takes one group of kids to buy in and others will follow.
6- Do you have a supportive Track Booster Club?
The BEST!
7- Has Middle Track the past few years in your feeder schools helped contribute to the HS program's success?
We are very fortunate to have a tremendous middle school feeder program. They have won championships, so when they enter our program, the expectations we have are not new to them.
8- What are your program's Goals every season? County/Region title, State Championship?
Those never change.A.) Go undefeated, B) Loch Johnson Champions, C.) Athens Area Champions, D.) Region Champions, E.) STATE CHAMPIONS!
9- Assess your team's Region meet and the challenges faced at Sectionals to advance.
Region 8-AAAAA is one of the best around. It is loaded with great athletes and coaches. You have to work to win our region and this year was no exception. Our kids were as focused as I have seen them this year and the results reflected that. Sectionals will be another huge challenge, but I trust that we will be ready.
10- What advancements should the GHSA make to bring our Sport on par with the 'other' 47 states ?
I would like to see an overall state meet, where 1st and 2nd in each event from each classification would meet to determine the absolute best in the state. Also, I wouls like to see Georgia add the decathlon and Pentathlon.
Bonus- What has been among your favorite accomplishments for the school you now coach at?
The 3 state championships were very special, but honestly we are most proud of the 20+ athletes that have earned college scholarships through this program over the last 18 years.