(Posted Nov. 7, 2018)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Marvin Homan, London school board member, reported on Nov. 6 that he has nearly reached his goal of raising $20,000 to help cover the cost of approximately 110 new uniforms for the marching band.
Earlier this year, the Music Boosters pledged $12,000 toward the estimated $34,000 cost and asked the school district to cover the rest. The school board agreed to do so, then Homan spearheaded an effort to cover as much of the district’s share as possible through fundraising, rather than pulling from school coffers.
To date, that effort has generated $18,300. Each full uniform costs about $310.
Prior to this year’s marching band season, the band’s two equipment trailers got fresh coats of paint. The school logo and a music graphic were painted on the broad sides of each trailer. The logos of donors were painted on the back ends. Teacher and band helper Todd Boyd arranged for the spruce-up. He said he appreciates the support the business community has shown the program. He also noted there is still room for more logos on the trailers.
Donations to the band can be made out to “London Music Boosters” and mailed to 336 Elm St., London, OH 43140.
Athletics recognition
At the Nov. 6 school board meeting, athletic director Jimmy Wolverton recognized senior athlete Mallory Colwell and varsity volleyball coach Darrell Eades for their achievements.
Mallory Colwell, a London senior, and Darrell Eades, varsity volleyball coach, were recognized for their achievements at the Nov. 6 school board meeting.
Colwell plays volleyball and basketball and holds a 3.439 grade point average. This fall, during her last game as a Red Raider volleyball player, she notched her 1,000th career dig.
“She has been a part of three league championship teams, three district runner-up teams and one district qualifying team,” Wolverton noted.
Colwell’s volleyball highlights also include being named first-team all-Mid State League and second-team all-Central District as a sophomore, second-team all-MSL and second-team all-district as a junior, and first-team all-Central Buckeye Conference and first-team all-district as a senior.
In basketball, she was named first-team all-MSL and third-team all-district as a sophomore and first-team all-MSL, second-team all-district, and honorable mention all-Ohio as a junior.
Eades has been a volleyball coach at London for 21 years, 19 as head coach. In that time, he has compiled a record of 245-139. His teams have won six league championships, including four that came during a streak of 50 consecutive league victories between 2014 and 2017.
Eades’s teams have finished as district runner-up three times and qualified for district one other time. He has been named Central District coach of the year and served as a state poll voter for the volleyball coaches poll. Additionally, he served as athletic boosters president for many years at the start of his coaching career.
“I remember him as my pee wee football coach…but more so now as a man of passion, integrity and respect,” Wolverton said. “He has always gotten the most of our volleyball teams, and it has been a true privilege to work with him.”
At the end of this volleyball season, Eades announced he was retiring from coaching.
Gym floor and drainage issue
The school board approved setting aside $692,000 for replacement of the floor in the “wood gym” at the elementary and to repair drainage issues related to the floor damage.
Earlier this year, staff found water in the sleeve into which supports for the volleyball net are inserted. The discovery indicated a water problem under the gym floor. The plan is to install extra drainage around the building, address foundation issues, install sump pumps, and replace the floor. A $136,000 insurance claim will cover the floor. The district’s permanent improvement fund will cover the rest of the expense.
“We hope to get started on this yet this season,” said Supt. Dr. Lou Kramer.
Crews are removing the old gym floor. The district is waiting on final drawings for the rest of the work. The “wood gym,” named for the look of its floor, has been shut down since the start of the school year.
