Campbell High School Smyrna, GA Click to visit website

June 2010

Spartans Baseball
by Ron Wendt, Varsity Baseball

The Campbell High School baseball teams have a committed and diverse group of players who represent their community and school with pride. Although the win-loss record was not as impressive as other schools in Region 6, the Campbell players remained committed to improving in the face of adversity while maintaining a focus on grades, character development and serving the community.  While these players may not enjoy the same resources as our region competitors, everyone recognizes that success is measured in many ways both on and off the field.

Campbell High School has a rich tradition that continues to be supported by the community, including the city of Smyrna.  Players volunteer in the community and are active in a variety of clubs and other extracurricular activities.  This focus on academics, community and athletics is designed to develop today’s player into tomorrow’s leaders.

With that kind of tradition and support, this year’s Spartans also focused on improvement on the field, in the community and in the classroom.  Our mission requires that Campbell athletes be students first, that they pay special attention to their academic record and motivation, and that they benefit from Campbell’s educational programs and make progress in the classroom.  Coaches monitored grades, and athletes were encouraged to focus on academics even if that meant missing a practice to attend a tutoring session.  The players worked hard in all facets of their lives, and this year several of the baseball team seniors received athletic and academic scholarships.

Players also had the opportunity to participate in a game with the Miracle League in Acworth.  The happiness and determination of the players from this league was inspiring to us all.  The enthusiasm of the players, coaches and parents reminded everyone that win and loss records matter little when you can share the joy of playing the game with this group of determined players.

January 2010

Coach Randy McClure: 25 Years of Class
by Raya Tobler, Editor-in-chief, The Spartan Chronicles

Randy McClure has been a well-respected coach and educator at Campbell High School for 25 years. McClure's role as coach of the Lady Spartan girls’ basketball team has reaped many successes, but in an interview with The Spartan Chronicles, McClure revealed things about his life and career that many did not know.

On his basketball background: While he did play growing up, Coach McClure did not play in high school or college. “I was the quarterback of the high school football team and that was my total focus," McClure said. When he began coaching during the 1986-87 school year, he was on the football and track and field coaching staffs. When asked to coach girls' basketball, McClure was not really interested. “Coach Sheryl Fowler (the previous girls' basketball coach) had set such high level of success at Campbell that I did not want to follow the legend,” he says.  McClure considered the position and after some careful thinking, he decided to take the job in 1990.

On coaching his daughter: It is common knowledge that McClure’s daughter, senior Monica McClure, is one of the star players on the girls' basketball team. However, what many do not know is that, at first, McClure was against his daughter playing in high school at all. "I didn't want any problems heaped onto her because I was the coach and her father," McClure explained. Monica, of course, joined anyway and is the only four-year starter in the program. Furthermore, she was voted one of the captains by her teammates. “It’s been a blessing in disguise," admits McClure. "In the gym, I treat her just like I do everyone else. At home, I’m just Dad.”

On his basketball heroes: Former head coach of University of North Carolina (McClure's alma mater) Dean Smith “taught the game, and he taught young men how to be winners the right way."  Los Angeles Laker and NBA hall-of-famer James Worthy "played against my high school in the first round of the North Carolina high school state tournament. He also played for UNC. He represented his community really well on and off the court.”  Finally, Michael Jordan “also played at UNC for Dean Smith and helped him win his first national championship. He had an unmatched work ethic that allowed him to become the greatest basketball player of all time.”

On his key to success: McClure attributes his success to the hard work of the talented young women athletes he coaches. “Some seasons weren't as successful as others, but I didn't coach any less, or practice less, or run different plays or defenses. The difference is the kids, their level of commitment and their belief in the program objectives and our goals."

November 2009

Spartans Swim and Dive
by Coach Jonathan Laird

Campbell High School’s swim and dive program has gone a long way in just the past four years.  Beginning his fifth year as head coach for the Spartans, Jonathan Laird has taken a team of six swimmers and transformed it into over 40.  The Spartans proved their worth last year in the county by sending more talented young men and women to the state meet than in years past, none of which were year-round swimmers.  In fact, this was the first time in over 10 years that Campbell successfully had a girl’s relay team qualify for the state meet.  Essentially, the Spartan swim and dive program is young in talent and looks forward to an exciting and prospective season.  

To help achieve future team goals, Coach Laird and Coach Curran have actively pursued out-of-season conditioning for the athletes.  Many of the swimmers, after tasting success last year, went on to compete in soccer, track, and cross country.  Not surprisingly, many found their way onto club teams for continuous conditioning.  Campbell is expecting to send both boys and girls teams, as well as individuals, back to the state meet again in February.  To help the team accomplish this endeavor, the coaches and swimmers will be relying on a few key returnees and fresh talent.  

Leading the way for the Spartan boys will be junior Sam Wilgus.  Sam is a delightful, typical teenager who is determined, strong in his academics, and ready to lead his team to a more successful year. Competing at state every year thus far, Sam has many goals for the team as co-captain, one of which is personal:  make finals at state.  Sam’s primary events are the 50 and 100 freestyles and the 100 butterfly.  Last year Sam was so intent in achieving a state qualifying time at the county championship meet in the 50 freestyle that he not only surprised himself by making that cut, but also by making the state cut in the 100 butterfly just a short 20 minutes later.  Since then, Sam has focused on furthering his personal goals and has already dropped significant time in events over the summer.  

Leading the way for the Spartan girls will be sophomore Morgan Lehr.  Morgan got her first taste of a state meet as part of the girls’ relay that finally made their way to the meet.  Morgan is a talented multi-event competitor whose focus lies in the 100 freestyle.  To put it simply, she can swim any event and score points for the Spartans.  Like Sam, Morgan saw the opportunity to improve her own capabilities in dropping time.  During the offseason, Morgan focused on core training with track, summer swim, cross country and, most recently, the infamous five-week crash-conditioning course for intensive swimmers.  Morgan has her goals firmly in place this year for herself and her teammates.  She, along with the help of a few new and returning stars, will send a girl’s team back to the state meet again this season.

The Campbell Spartans swim and dive team is looking forward to continued improvement in their program and successes within Cobb County and the state.