Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Allen returns to GHS as assistant coach

Gurdon's Rotary had a former Gurdon High School graduate and current GHS Assistant Coach as the guest speaker at its Thursday, February 19, meeting.

Eric Allen is a 1999 graduate of GHS and a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University in 2003. He is the son of Aaron and Versie Allen and the husband of Christina Hopson Allen. The two have a six-month-old son.

"I would like to thank God for allowing to be with you all today. It is an honor to be able to come back to where you originally came from and try to give something back," he said.

"I am only 22-years-old and I am assisting Coach John Pace, who was my coach in high school when I played basketball, football, track and any sport I could.

"When I was at OBU I played for Coach Knight, which was a nice experience. I was the Gulf South Player of the week at one time and brought in some other honors as well.

"I was so pleased when Mr. Smithson approached me in December and asked me to coach at Gurdon. My eyes lit up and then he told I would have to teach Biology also.

"It isn't too bad, I teach sophomore Biology at this time and am really enjoying my job at Gurdon," said Allen.

Allen's message to the Rotarians was, "Don't Be the Passive Visionary."

Allen said everything that happens comes from one person's idea.

"This goes all the way back to Bible. It was Eve's idea to take a bite out of the apple. Regardless, everyone was punished from that time on," said Allen.

Allen encouraged everyone to do something about their visions now.

"What is just a vision for you might be a reality if you share it with someone else.

"It is a critical time in Gurdon now. Schools are consolidating, businesses are closing, there is so much negative, but we can make it a positive just by showing support to our local businesses and remembering to support the schools and all the children are involved in," said Allen.

Delton Simpson asked Allen what he thought of his boss.

"Well I think he is a great guy, I am pleased he gave me the opportunity to work with him," said Allen.

Ed McKinnon asked Allen if he worked with just football or if he helped in other areas of coaching.

"I work with the junior and senior high football teams mostly. This year I helped a little with basketball. It has really been fun and I am privileged to have the experience," Allen said.

The last question asked to Allen was what his visions were for working at GHS.

"I would like to see the school standards go up. I would like to see kids have a positive place to hang out in Gurdon. You know some place they can go when they aren't in school. I like to work with younger kids. I think they need role models," said Allen.