Bob Jones and James Clemens aim to build, continue athletic success
James Clemens High School football players prepare to take on Bob Jones on Sept. 7, 2012. (RECORD PHOTO/ANNA DURRETT )
By Aldo Amato
Staff Reporter
MADISON – Academics is the main reason for the success of Madison City Schools while athletics in a close second.
As Madison City Schools celebrates 15 years of public education, one thing that cannot go unnoticed is the success both high schools, new and old, have enjoyed.
Bob Jones athletics director John Wilson said that the community has been there to support Patriots athletics every step of the way.
“It’s a great community and when you have that, you have great people,” he said. “We have great kids and coaches who both work hard and overcome the challenges.”
Some of Bob Jones’ recent athletic accomplishments include a girl’s basketball title in 2011, a boy’s basketball title in 2010 and state runner-ups in girl’s volleyball in 2011.
Though Wilson said that he was not too surprised by the success of Bob Jones Athletics, there have been some surprises.
“I thought that it was a surprise when our boys basketball team won state in 2010,” he said. “We came together at the right time.”
James Clemens just began their journey in athletics competing in 6A this year and hoping to expand some success they had in girl’s basketball and in wrestling in which they won their first ever title.
Wilson said that the success on the field at Bob Jones could not be made possible without the work the athletes put in off the field.
“Our goal is to continue to be great student-athletes,” he said. “If you work hard in classroom, that transcends on the field. We aim to continue to help build high quality character student-athletes.”
As for the future, the Jets have new facilities to expand their programs on and Wilson said that he hopes to see expanded growth at Bob Jones in the near future as well.
“Another goal of ours is to definitely improve on our facilities,” he said. “We’re hoping to build another gym, increasing the number of coaches and always look to recruit top quality teachers.”
