I have a box full of academic medals and certificates from my high school days in my attic somewhere. In that box are my honor cords from graduation, several subject area awards, and something that says I was valedictorian of my senior class. I was voted Mr. McLaurin and Most Likely to Succeed by my fellow students. I feel blessed to have been so honored, and I am grateful for all of the opportunities my academic standing afforded me. However, the accomplishment from my high school days of which I am most proud is being a part of building a high school baseball program from the ground up.

On my best days in the classroom, I was an A student with the potential to excel far be...

Please subscribe to keep reading.