Veteran Francis Howell Central Athletics Director Scott Harris has been an institution at the school for the past 14 years. Harris will retire near the end of this month.
Over the past 14 years, the name Scott Harris has been synonymous with Francis Howell Central athletics.
While that partnership will officially end with Harris’ retirement as the school’s athletics director on June 28, Harris likely won’t ever be too far away from the Cottleville campus. That’s especially true since Harris’ daughter, Landry, will be a senior pitcher for the softball team this fall.
Junior Riley Henderson, who plays softball with Harris’ daughter, as well as basketball and soccer at the school, said that she knows Harris has left an indelible mark on the school because of his hard work and dedication during her time there and his work has left its mark on her.
“I truly believe that no high school experience compares to mine because of the work that Mr. Harris does to make sure it is special,” Henderson said. “He is always there to support us after a game – no matter the outcome – and (he) takes pride in getting the whole school to show up for each other. Howell Central won’t be the same without him in the halls every day and we will miss him so much.”
Howell Central activities assistant Annette Herdt said that Harris did much to build upon the work of the school’s first athletics director, Terry Kasper, but then went a step further in making the culture something of his own.
Herdt said that Harris one of Harris’ top trademarks is showing an equal and undying love for each and every program – whether a team has five participants, or if it has 75.
“Before Scott, FHC was already a great school,” Herdt said. “It has always been a remarkable academic institution, filled with exceptional people in a caring community. However, when Coach Harris joined us 14 years ago, he transformed FHC into a true home.”
“Coach Harris deeply understood the significance of activities to our community, viewing them as the front porch of our home,” Herdt continued. “He showered each activity, sport, athlete, coach, participant, and fan with unparalleled respect, love, and attention. (He has) celebrated every achievement, he always found a way to make each group feel seen, valued, and appreciated. His enthusiasm during assemblies, his unmatched game update tweets, his willingness to work alongside students in his leadership council and truly listen to them, and his vibrant presence on the sidelines during games (show that) Coach Harris has given his all to this community.”
Central baseball coach Nick Beckmann said that Harris’ efforts reach far beyond the Cottleville school, itself. Beckmann feels that the Spartans’ facilities, atmosphere, and reputation project into the surrounding community, largely because of Harris’ efforts.
“From Day 1, Scott has been an advocate of high school sports and Howell Central,” Beckmann said. “His attention to detail is unmatched. Every event we host is top notch and every detail is covered. I have run into coaches (from) all over who constantly rave at how well things are done at Howell Central. Scott is truly one of a kind.”
Girls basketball coach Hayley Leake added it’s more than the mere fact that Harris has helped build the Howell Central program into a crown jewel of the Gateway Athletic Conference.
A lot of deference must be paid to how he’s done it by getting everyone to buy into the program’s overall success. As Henderson said, Leake feels that the family-first atmosphere fostered at Central is key.
“Scott has embodied two main things since becoming the athletics director at Howell Central: to convey excellence and integrity within the athletics department, and to provide for, nurture, and develop student-athletes,” Leake said. “He has achieved that and more in his time here. His relentless pursuit of those goals, accompanied by the dignity and responsibility with which he pursued them, has contributed to the legacy of our athletic programs in countless ways. The love that he has poured into the experience of being a Spartan has lifted our student-athletes, their families, coaches, and athletics staff, and for that, our Howell Central community will forever be grateful.”
Harris, who among other endeavors, guided Timberland to the 2003 Class 3 state softball championship, said that throughout his tenure, he’s been the fortunate one.
He’s gotten the chance to become a fan of student-athletes as he’s watched them grow.
“I really feel that being a fan is my favorite part of the job,” Harris said. “I’ve grown up around sports and I am a huge fan, not only of Howell Central sports, but high school, college, and pro sports in general. But in this role, (getting the chance) to develop relationships with these students, watch them come in as scared and shy 14-year-olds and then grow into confident and successful young adults, is so rewarding. (I enjoy) just seeing the joy of competing, learning, and growing on the faces of our students is so enjoyable and rewarding for me and one of the main reasons I love my job.”
That love from Harris isn’t lip service, Herdt said.
For the entire time she’s known him, Harris has done nothing but practice what he preaches – every single day.
“(He is) genuine from start to finish,” Herdt said. “Coach Harris has truly embodied and taught others the meaning of F.A.M.I.L.Y.— Forget About Me, I Love You. A true Spartan King. Scott Harris has left an indelible mark on Central, turning it into a place where everyone feels at home.”
