Darlington grad leaves Texas, will become new Gator head coach
December 12, 2010
Read the Dec. 12 Rome News-Tribune article about the Darlington Community's reaction to the announcement that alumnus Will Muschamp ('90) will take over as head coach of the Florida Gators.
School officials announced Friday that Darlington’s football field has been named in honor of former Athletic Director Jerry Sharp, who retired last year after 22 years of service to the school.
Jerry Sharp was inducted into the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Coaches Hall of Fame at the GACA's Annual Awards and Hall of Fame Banquet, capping off a career that will reach a chapter end on June 30 when he officially retires as athletic director at Darlington School.
Darlington golfer Tim Kim has been a successful young athlete on the golf courses of Floyd County and Northwest Georgia. So when it came time to decide on where to play in college, his decision didn’t take him too far.
Darlington School is pleased to announce the hire of Bob Stinchcomb as athletic director, effective in 2008-09. He will replace Jerry Sharp, who is retiring at the end of the school year after more than two decades of service to Darlington.
Thanks to a handful of parents, alumni and the generosity of several local businesses, the Tigers baseball team will have a new-and-improved home when their season begins next spring.<br /><br />
“If you go visit schools with successful baseball programs, you will likely find superior facilities,” said Tony Cantrell, a day parent who has headed up the project with fellow parent David Duckworth. “The ability to attract talent to the baseball program will improve as the facilities improve, and we thought this project was a good place to start.” <br /><br />
Last year, batting cages were added on the first and third base fence lines. This summer, contractors are completing a facelift of the press box and adding a locker room, equipment storage rooms, a coach’s office, and a brick knee wall and new netting for the backstop.<br /><br />
“It is my hope that this facility can become another focal point of Darlington’s athletic program. We still need lights and an indoor facility to put us on par with other schools we compete against, but this is a great start,” said Cantrell. “When others see these improvements, I hope they know that this group of players, parents, and supporters want to start a tradition of success. Each year, we want to leave the program in better shape than when we came.”<br /><br />
“It is great when you have a group of parents willing to work together to improve and make Darlington a better place,” said Jerry Sharp, athletic director. “They have really made a difference, and I know our players and coaches will really appreciate these improvements next season.”<br /><br />
This project has been funded entirely by parents, alumni and members of the Rome business community. All contributors will be recognized once the project has been completed.
