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Sports *VetoF. L | Sports editor Tennis coach alleges errors in Title IX report Luke Smith is upset with the Office of Civil Rights Title IX in vestigation. Among other things, the inves tigators found that the women's tennis team was discriminated against since the head coach of the tennis team was at their practice starting one hour, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., and at the men's team practice for onc-and-a-half hours, starting from 5 p.m. and lasting to 6:30 p.m. From 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., the report said the women's team prac ticed under the supervision of the coach's wife. Smith, head coach of the Panthers men’s and women's tennis teams, is not so much angered at the what the Title IX found, but with the errors it used to find what it found. For one, Smith says, he was at both practices for one hour each. The women's team practiced from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. each evening at Rozar Park, while the men's team practiced from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Calhoun Park. The men's team could have come to Calhoun Park early, just as the women's team could have come to Rozar Park early, and stay late, but official practice was only one hour, he said. Smith said that he could have had both teams practice at Rozar Park, since there are four courts at Rozar Park. However, he said the women's team was larger than the men's team, and to practice at Rozar Park would have meant that he would have to cut players from the women’s team. "If anything, we shortchanged the men's team," said Smith. Also, Smith took exception to the report singling out his wife, Anne, for supervising the last hour of the women's practice, saying it made it look like she was unquali fied for the role she played. "She is just as qualified as I am to coach (tennis)," said Smith, emphasizing, "in every way." Smith said the only qualification needed to coach in the Georgia High School Association was to be em ployed by the school. Anne Smith teaches science at Perry High School. He added that Anne Smith had taken the time to learn the drills in the game of tennis and how to coach the game of tennis, even go ing observing professionals in prac tice and incorporating their drills into the tennis practice sessions. The only difference between him and his wife, said Luke Smith, was that the county recognized and paid him as tennis coach and Anne served in volunteer status. ***** A couple of final thoughts about Title IX, and then to let it rest. First, I still maintain that 95 percent or better of schools in the United States do treat their women programs as well as they do their men's programs. And, while Perry High School does a good job in comparison to many other schools, the men's program is still treated better than the women's programs. Secondly, the office of Title IX came down, looking for violations. When you are looking for some thing in the manner the OCR was looking, you will find them. The investigation was, in some aspects, a witch hunt. Many of the Please see Roley, page 11A Hospice says thanks to area golfers Hospice of Houston County, Inc. would like to thank all who helped make our recent golf tournament at Houston Lake Country Club such a wonderful suc cess. Despite the flooding and the disappearance of Houston Lake, 15 teams of determined golfers played in the Peter Persons Pro-Am Tournament. Walking off with first place was the team spon sored by Surgical Associates including Mike Hell wege, A 1 Carter, Jim Kidd and Fred Jennart. Other teams were sponsored by: CB&T, Northrop, Tolle son. Children’s Friend, Surgical Associates, Pediatric Associates, Holiday Foods, Dr. Shaver, Comfort Inn, Wiggins Ford, Warner Robins Magnetic Imaging, Bill Butler, Houston Medical Center, David Elkon and Paul Chandler. We also thank those who could not play but still made donations. Special thanks to all who donated prizes for this event: PING, Kim and Vickie Blevens, Dana Golf, Cracker Barrel, Barrington Hall, Tony B’s, River North Country Club, Casa Maria, Perry Country Club, My Father’s Place, Waterford Golf Club, Mayor says rec department must improve By VETO F. ROLEY Sports Editor In the wake of several com plaints about the youth softball and baseball programs at the Perry Park and Recreation Department, Perry Mayor Jim Worrall said Monday afternoon that the city was looking for "improvements in the program." Parents of children in the pro Hunters get chance to learn Area hunters will get a chance to improve their skills as the Georgia Wildlife Federation's-Buckarama will come to the Georgia Agricenter in Perry Aug. 26-28. Headlining the seminar schedule this year is Dan Fitzgerald. He has made some of the most successful hunting videos in the country. He will speak on family hunting from Rec dept, coaches certified By VETO F. ROLEY Sports Editor The Perry Parks and Recreation Department will have all head foot ball coaches certified this year, said Ben Hamrick, director of the Parks and Recreation Department "All head coaches will be certi fied," said Hamrick. "This is the first year all have been that way." In previous years, the rec de partment has offered certification to those coaches who wanted to be cer tified, but did not require certifica tion to coach. This year all coaches will be required to be certified be fore they coach any sport. "The purpose of certification is PAK to host regional tournament The Perry Athletic Karate team will host the third annual Hae San Regional Fall Championship at the New South Arena at the Perry Agricenter Sept. 17. Proceeds from the championship will go to the Weapons and Violence Education Foundation, which was developed by Perry m ssjij SBff llplg,, || Open field Perry High School held Its first full contact session during Its football camp at Middle Georgia College. Here Dexter Kendrick breaks Into the open early In the scrimmage session. China Palace, Texas Cattle Co., Legacy China, Strato’s, Blooms and Balloons, Texaco, Naples, Sha heens, Orchid House, J. Bryan Jewelers, Forget-Me- Not Florist, Kandy McKuens, Putt Putt Golf, Sandy Run Golf Club, Applebee’s, Ramada Inn, Landings Golf Club, Publix, Mide’s Dogs, Mrs. Winners, Wilson’s Bakery, Stanley Bo* H & H Carpets, Strauther Harris Jewelers, v :s and Homecare Medical provided breakfa' launch was courtesy of Wellston Decorating and the Furniture Gallery. Frito Lay and Coca Cola provided chips and drinks, Air Force Reserve Recruiting at RAFB and Chick-Fil-A (Watosn Blvd.) provided gifts and coupons for each golfer. Thanks to Margie and Craig Lindbcrt, Jeanne Bauer, Erv Manning, Fundraising Chairman and espe cially to Kim Blevens of Pediatric Associates, Chairman of the Board and chairman of this event for Hospice. Hospice raised approximately SB,OOO to support local families experiencing terminal illness. Jackie Connors, Executive Director grams have complained to the city about lack of equipment, changes in rules, bad communication between the rec department and parents, bad communications between Perry and Warner Robins and lack of supervi sion by the rec department. Worrall said some of the prob lems with the recreation depart ment, such as bad equipment, could the swamps to the mountain tops. Sammy Schrimsher, expert deer and black bear hunter, bowhunter Galen Schinkle and Joe Kelly, one of the top whitetail experts in the South will also be on hand during Buckarama. The seminar will fea ture fewer speakers; but, they will speak more often, giving everyone a chance to hear them. that competent and qualified coaches come through he program, and that they know what they are doing," said Hamrick. Hamrick said the certification program will help the rec program, since it would show to the parents of the kids involved in the program that the coaches were interested enough that they took the time and money to become certified as coaches. While Hamrick said having certi fied coaches would not directly help the city with liability, the program would indirectly help cut the city's liability with youth sports. One of Please see Certified, page 11A Police Chief Frank Simons and ap proved by the Houston County Board of Education. The tournament will feature championships in the forms compe tition, women's black belt and men's black belt. There will be six rings of competition during the championships. be corrected easily. He added that the city was working with the rec department to improve communica tion within the program, between parents and with Warner Robins. "We are trying to work on it now," said Worrall. "It is not an easy job to do." The city will take a closer look at the recreation department at the end of the football and soccer sea sons to see if further changes in the program are needed, said Worrall. "The recreation department is on probation," said Worrall, who added 1994 Adult softball champs - r " If jlf I .£ Lanier Clothing took first place In the open division. Team members were Mack Passmore, Gary Passmore, John Passmore, Bobby Spivey, Jeff Spivey, Tyrone Adklnson, Henry Lee Taylor, Tom Lumpkin, Andrew Smith, Johnny Harrell, Rick h L e ,P. ry, J' a vn Black Jr ’ Gary Felder, Kenneth Oliver, Chris Leggett, William Jones, Billy Grace, Frederick Raines, Richard Taylor, Leon Lester, Eric Hardwick and spencer Lewis. H MS*] Ilf tw ‘ * trr-' M tl fs tj JkX W .... “ w JiBJ Mm MS Kl' m w 1 JUKI [ l; rHUuJßraj The White Sox dominated the Women's Church League. Members of the team were Stephanie K. Jones, April L. Fendley, Shanetla Gilbert, Latrlney Whitehurst, Melissa Price, Christina Bauslck, Jane Wheelus, Laurie Coffee, Amber Fendley, Robin Griffin, Cassandra Me Anally,Tina Calhoun, Kastlna Nolen, Katy McCllntlc and Stephanie Andel. Coaches were Ronnie Griffin and Thomas Coffee. Haynevllle First Baptist Church (not photoed) took first place In the Men's Church League. Team members were Tim Allen, Calvin Broom, Daryl Duckworth, Bobby Fowler, John Fowler, Marvin Fowler, Mike Fowler, Tommy Fowler, Matt Hall, Chip Harbin, Daryl Harbin, Kevin Kirkpatrick, Chip Lollls, Hyndall Peavy, Jeff Peavy, William Simmons, Kevin Smith, Johnny Tucker, Ronnie Taylor, Chuck Watts, Terry Yawn, Henry Kirkpatrick and Lynn Hill. HE' j Wk Young cheerleaders 110 young cheerleaders attended a cheerleading camp held by the Perry Panther cheerleaders. Winning all-star honors were (kneeling) Amandrla Ragln, (front row) Jamie Johnson, Jennifer Harris, Krystle Kennedy, Brooke Roberts, (standing) Marqulta Lumpkin, Teca Askew, Sherklna Thomas, Ashley Whlddon and Autumn McCarthy. Heather Whlddon Is not pictured. Houston Times-Joumal Wednesday,August!7, 1994, Houston Times -Journal that it was "not fair to say" that Ben Hamrick, director of the de partment, was on probation. Worrall said that Hamrick did send the city a letter asking that the city look at the program after the football and soccer programs. One of the problems, said Worrall, was the growth of the pro gram. Four years ago, Houston County got out of the recreation departments, turning its facilities, programs and equipment over to the cities. In addition to providing recre- Page 9A ation activities, the Perry Parks and Recreation Department also keeps up the three city parks, Rozar Creekwood and Calhoun, eight-to ten green spots and the flowers, hanging pots and dogwood trees downtown. While there might be problems with youth baseball and softball, Worrall said that the department had done a "super good job" with the parks and green spots in the city. "The parks are well kept and well maintained," he said. "Ben's doing a good job."