Glenbrook has turned to a familiar face to lead its athletic department. The school announced today that Gary Harris, who led the Lady Apache basketball, track & field, and cross country programs during the 2011-2012 school year has been chosen to fill the open athletic director position.
Harris has over 16 years of teaching and coaching experience in the MAIS with prior stints at Copiah Academy, Tri-County Academy, Presbyterian Christian School and Heritage Academy. During his brief time at Glenbrook, Harris led the varsity and junior varsity girls track teams to district championships, the cross country team to a 4th place finish at the State Meet, and his junior varsity girls basketball team claimed the 2012 district championship. While at PCS, his 2010 fast pitch softball team claimed the school’s first ever AAA state championship with 6 players from that team going on to sign college scholarships, two in the prestigious SEC. His 2010 boys basketball team also won a school record 28 games and finished as runner-up to perennial power Madison Ridgeland Academy (MRA) at the MAIS Overall championship tournament. Harris has been honored as MAIS All-Star coach five times for basketball and softball.
“I’m extremely excited about returning to a place that made such a tremendous impression upon me when I was here. I had to leave to care for my ailing mother and be closer to her during that illness, or I would have never left. The people here are what makes this one of the best schools in which I’ve ever been. When you look at the administration at Glenbrook you can’t help but be impressed with the capable leadership and stability of experience from Darden Gladney to Dr. Naomi Coyle to Coach Wayne Orr to the highly respected faculty and staff. Now we need to replicate that stability and leadership inside the athletic department and continue the successes that are already there.” said Harris.
While bringing steady coaching and teaching experience to the school, Harris also boasts a background in the private sector in business and also in government. He’s received several awards for his instruction in the classroom in addition to his accolades on the fields and courts.
A 2002 graduate in political science from Mississippi State University, Harris served as speech writer and as a legislative political liaison for the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office. After leaving public service, he served as General Manager for Bulldog Deli in Starkville, MS and most recently was the Director of Client Services for WSN Live, a company that provides live streaming solutions for high school and college athletic programs around the country. Harris noted, “I believe my experience in multiple areas has prepared me to be athletic director at Glenbrook.”
Harris continued to note that, he can’t wait to meet and get to know our coaches and student athletes, their parents and grandparents, and everyone associated with the school. “I want to be an asset for our coaches and help them obtain the tools and resources they need to compete at the highest levels and to be their partner in nurturing our young boys and girls into productive men and women. And the fact that I was born at Barksdale AFB in Bossier City does make this feel like a homecoming. My wife Jennifer toured through Minden with me recently and she fell in love with its charm. She’s heard many stories from me about the great people at Glenbrook and is also excited to get to meet everyone. I’m proud to be a part of Apache nation.”
Glenbrook headmaster Darden Gladney stated, “We are fortunate to have hired Coach Harris to fill the athletic director’s role at Glenbrook. He brings with him a diverse background not only as a coach and teacher, but also in the public and private sectors.”
Mr. Gladney went on to say, “Our programs and facilities are expanding. When students and parents return to school on August 9th they will notice the addition of an elementary sports practice area, new track, and parking lot. This summer we have also installed new scoreboards on the baseball, football, and softball fields.”