Thomas Melvin Crook, 69, of Douglasville, who served more than 36 years in education and athletics, passed away Thursday, Aug. 23.

He was born Nov. 20, 1942 in Asheville, N.C, the son of the late Thomas Albert Crook and the late Mazie Walker Crook. He was a member of the Enka High School Class of 1960. He continued his education at the University of Georgia in Athens receiving his BS in Education in 1964, Masters in Education in 1974, and Masters in Administration in 1984. He received his Specialist in Administration from the Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Ala. in 1987.

Coach Crook served as the Assistant Coach at Cedartown High School from 1964-1971 where he coached football, basketball and track. From 1971-1977 he served as Assistant Coach at Marietta High School for football and basketball and as Head Coach in Wrestling from 1972-1977. From 1977 until 1986 he served as the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Lithia Springs High School. From 1986-2000 he served as the Athletic Director for the Douglas County School System.

He was a member of the Georgia Athletic Directors Association and the NIAAA for over 12 years and was a member of the AD for over 23 years. He was Region 5AAAA Secretary from 1978-1990, a member of the group that formed the Georgia Athletic Directors Association (GADA), and President of GADA in 1990, Serving as the GADA President from 1990-91, he established an awards program on a statewide basis for all classifications and regions. In 2010, he was inducted into the GADA Hall of Fame in the initial class.

He built football and track facilities at Lithia Springs High School. As Douglas County's Athletic Director he saw the addition of both Alexander High School and Chapel Hill High School and he established Girls Softball as a sport in Douglas County. He served for over 36 years in his career in education and athletics and influenced countless students and athletes over the years. He was devoted to his family and was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He was a member of Beulah Baptist Church in Douglasville where he served on the building committee.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Kate Morgan Crook of Douglasville; his two daughters and son-in-law, Kathy and Tony Hayes and Karen Eubanks, all of Douglasville; his son and daughter-in-law, Wayne and Lisa Crook of Douglasville; brother and sister-in-law, John M. and Joy Crook of Asheville, NC; six grandchildren, Cody Crook, Kelsey Crook, Chase Combs, Cory Hayes, C.J. Eubanks, and Mary Kate Eubanks; several nieces and nephews also survive.  

LaFayette, GA - Atheist group, Freedom From Religion Foundation, claims Georgia high schools are violating the First Amendment by allowing churches to feed football players before games. The Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to Walker County Schools in LaFayette, Georgia demanding an investigation into football coach Mark Mariakis and the practice of feeding football players by local church groups, according to The Blaze. Mark Mariakis coaches football at Ridgeland High School.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation also claims Ridgeland football coach Mark Mariakis prayed with his football players and used Bible verses on team shirts and in motivational speeches and engaged in activities hosted by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Freedom From Religion Foundation attorney Andrew Seidel stated in the complaint letter sent to the Walker County Schools that transporting football teams to a church for a meal is unconstitutional. The atheist group attorney also claimed the Ridgeland high school football program is in an "egregious" violation of the Establishment Clause and demanded the football team attending church hosted meals before games in LaFayette end immediately. Read more... 

1. Review w/coaches GHSA and local eligibility rules.
2. Review coaches clock hours - Include those who attended August CPR/First aid classes
3. Review "Out-of Season" regulations at first coaches meeting
4. Pay bills
5. Program
6. Fall Sports Eligibility List on File
7. Individual Practice Rules met prior to competition
8. Review Fall Sports season guidelines, bulletins: Share information with administration and coaches, Note Deadlines
9. Review eligibility clearance- ie: resident and academic rule PRIOR to first competition
10. Finalize Fall sport team rosters, take team picture
11. Schedule and plan events for National Activities Week.
12. Send rosters to opponents
13. Make sure visitor locker rooms are clean and ready for use
14. Request gate money and police checks for home contests
15. Write article for school newsletter or program
16. Eligibility paperwork deadline
17. Secure any off site gym space that might be needed for basketball practice for winter
18. Weekly meeting with administrators
19. Prepare JV and Freshman team roster and send with coach to contests to hand out to parents
20. Confirm with transportation director all fall conflicts and departures
21. Submit forms needed for co-op and combined programs
22. Review school calendar and look for scheduling conflicts
23. Selection of Qualifying play-off format, sites, managers and dates
24. Review state tournament allocation and tournament pairings/draws
25. State Amendment Process begins-check with your district secretary
26. Complete GHSA membership forms Review Coaching Standards regulations

September 2012 GHSA Newsletter