Bubba Simmons
C.R.
“Bubba” Simmons has
announced plans to step down from his position as Athletic Director at McCallie
School and accept the position of principal at Gordon Lee High
School.
Mr. Simmons
took the helm of the school’s athletic department in 2008. Over the course of
his career, which includes two previous stints, Mr. Simmons has served McCallie
for almost 20 years.
“Bubba has
been a great asset for McCallie over these past six years, and it has been a
true privilege to work with him,” said Associate Headmaster and Upper School
Head Kenny Sholl. “He has shown an unwavering commitment to McCallie’s ideals as
they pertain to our athletics program.
“McCallie’s
athletic department is similar to that of a small college. We offer 15 different
sports and some 46 different teams that range from varsity down to middle school
levels, and overseeing it can be a taxing and complex
responsibility.”
Headmaster Lee Burns ('87) said, “In the
upcoming months, we will take a close look at how we will structure, long-term,
our athletic department to best serve our boys in ways consistent with our
mission and values.
“The athletics program is an
essential part of McCallie’s educational philosophy, but it is a landscape that
has changed quite dramatically in the last couple of decades. The boys, their
health and well-being, and their opportunities to learn and compete remain our
priorities with the program."
The
school has appointed Jeff Romero to serve as Dean of Athletics this upcoming
school year. Prior to coming to serve in the McCallie Communication Department
in 2008, Mr. Romero had worked since 1990 in the athletic offices at the
University of Tennessee, the University of Mississippi and the University of
Tennessee at Chattanooga with a focus in sports information and
communication.
"We are
fortunate to have someone on staff with extensive experience in athletic
administration, and I am grateful for his willingness to serve in this important
role," Mr. Sholl said.
Romero said, "I am honored that McCallie has the confidence in me to fill this important role at such a great school.
"I am excited about my new position and new challenge with McCallie and look forward to helping our students have a fantastic experience through athletics this upcoming school year."