Coach Smart and the GCPS Sports Hall of Fame

By Beth Volpert Johansen

As the world begins to settle into a new normal following the disruptions of COVID-19, those who make it their mission in life to support students in a variety of ways outside of the classroom have begun to reassemble the pieces of their programs from their hiatus. One very important piece of any supportive program revolves around the funding needed to keep academic initiatives strong.

The Gwinnett County Public School Foundation’s annual fundraiser banquet for the Gwinnett County Sports Hall of Fame has featured speakers over the years who are known to draw a crowd. The last keynote speaker to deliver a message of support for students gave his speech at the 2019 banquet. The twist in this story? It was Coach Nick Saban who took to the stage that year. It would be the last banquet before COVID-19 left stages across the world empty, and charitable funding took a hit harder than any decent SEC defensive player could deliver. It was tough.

When it became apparent that the CDC guidance would allow larger gatherings, Aaron C. Lupuloff, Senior Executive Director of the Foundation Fund, took action. His plan for the event began formulating just about thirty seconds after The Georgia Bulldogs secured the coveted and prestigious NATTY. As the National Championship Coach who unseated Coach Saban, Coach Kirby Smart seemed to be the perfect fit as the first post-COVID speaker.

“I drafted a letter and worked at crafting the right words that would bring Coach Smart to Gwinnett County,” says Lupuloff. “In the letter, I outlined how he could bring down the house again with encouraging words to our 2022 Hall of Fame recipients.” Aaron Lupuloff’s words hit Coach Smart between the numbers. Gwinnett received the NATTYwinning coach on their turf at the Gas South Center on the evening of April 12th.

By securing one of the most influential speakers of the year, the community responded to the fundraiser with excitement. Attendees joined Keynote Sponsor ROOTS, and the Foundation’s three major sponsors Primerica, Stratix Corp, and 5th 3rd Bank for a night of long-overdue celebration.

Coach Smart joined a long list of crowd-drawing keynote speakers that included Bobby Cox, Dan Quinn, Vince Dooley, and Dan Reeves. Fox 5’s Buck Lanford, a former Gwinnett County Public School basketball player, served as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Former Gwinnett, University of Georgia, and NFL football player and commentator, Matt Stinchcomb hosted a question-and-answer session with Coach Smart at the 2022 event. “In a county that has long been characterized by excellence, it was only fitting to have a championship winning coach of Kirby Smart’s caliber there to address the crowd,” remarked Stinchcomb. Comments and topics ran the gamut, but one theme remained strong in Smart’s interviews. “It’s Gwinnett County,” said Coach Smart. “We want to recognize the Hall of Famers and give back to the community.” Gwinnett is a big producer of student athletes for The University of Georgia. The April 12th event celebrated the first ten classes inducted between 2010 and 2019. The banquet featured bright banners with the exceptionally diverse and celebrated inductees. The banners created an appropriate backdrop for the night’s events that included a video montage of past interviews. Impassioned stories told by each inductee outlined the story of a diverse school system that works through coaches, teachers, administration, and staff to ensure that they provide resources and assistance to improve the educational future of ALL students. Senior Executive Director Aaron Lupuloff says, “The Hall of Fame fundraiser plays a major part in extending and enhancing academics in Gwinnett. We knew the timing was perfect to get Kirby to speak!”

Turns out, Lupuloff was right. It was a perfect night to celebrate an emergence from a two-year hiatus with much joy, good food, excellent company, and a champion of a speaker. Also, a special thanks to the leadership of Dr. Calvin Watts for supporting the foundation and the Gwinnett Sports Hall of Fame.

More information at www.gcps-foundation.org

Nicholas Black Continued from page 21

hopes to branch out in the future. He explains, “I’d really like to do a pilot program with two or three high schools teaching students about trading stocks.” It was a course he wished had been offered in his own high school days, so leave it to Nicholas Black to be the ultimate problem-solver and create his own course.

During his SGHS days, Black was already testing out his skills at both technology and founding organizations. He helped to found the Computer Club (aka Club Logic), and was also active in the school Chess Club. And when asked about any teachers or staff who had made an impression, Black says it was more of a “type.” “The teachers that I found to be the best were the ones that allowed me to think outside the box,” he explains, “made lessons fun, or taught things from a new perspective: Mrs. Bonaby, Mrs. Rainwater, Ms. Baade, Ms. Gascott, Ms. Dacus, Ms. Ingram, Mrs. Coats, Mr. Gibson, Principal Hunter, Mrs. Howell, and Dr. Burney, to name a few. You could tell that all of these teachers really cared, even if we as students didn’t at the time. They knew what was on the other side of graduation, and they did everything they could to prepare us.” And never one to miss a message, Black also mentions a valuable lesson from one of his substitutes. “He was a cool guy,” he remembers, “and he taught me that it’s okay to question things, always search for answers if you want to know something, and to keep an open mind.”

Well, Nicholas, thank you for using your experiences to help build up those around you – in addition to their credit scores. We at Our Town wish you luck as you continue to build your platform and support those who need it most.

More information at CreditCaptainAcademy.com.