Doug Rogers to return as Blue Ridge School athletic director

By Lynn Hotaling

Members of the Jackson County Board of Education unanimously approved Rogers' selection July 25 on the recommendation of Superintendent Mack McCary.

The role will be a familiar one for Rogers, who served as Blue Ridge's athletic director and head basketball coach from 1995-98. Rogers does not anticipate a return to coaching, however.

"The plan is for me to be strictly athletic director with no coaching duties," Rogers said.

Rogers was AD when Blue Ridge Principal Lib Balcerek took charge of the K-12 school in 1997. She said she's pleased the veteran AD has agreed to again head the school's athletic program.

"I'm appreciative and delighted to have Doug back on board as athletic director," she said. "He has a wealth of experience, and I feel real comfortable with his selection."

School board member James Roper indicated he thought Rogers was an excellent choice for athletic director.

"Doug is an outstanding person," Roper said.

A former basketball player and coach at Brevard College, Rogers has taught social studies at Blue Ridge for the past eight years. As AD, he will administer both the middle school and high school athletic programs at Blue Ridge.

Rogers is ready to return to athletics after a two year hiatus, he said.

"We've got some good kids coming along athletically, and I feel like I wanted to help," he said. "I'm looking forward to it."

Prior to joining the Blue Ridge faculty, Rogers was head basketball coach at Brevard College for 11 years and athletic director at Shorter College in Rome, Ga., during the early 1970s. He has 30 years experience as a high school and college teacher and coach.

Rogers replaces Joe Brooks, who was dismissed after one year as a teacher and AD at the school. Brooks pleaded guilty July 26 to eight felony and three misdemeanor charges that involve sexual misconduct with Blue Ridge students.

Back to Sports: 08/02/01.