Alternative athletics

Gym-less students take up Frisbee golf, archery

Victor Alvis

Without basketball goals or a volleyball court at his disposal, teacher Jeff Badillo has gotten creative with the physical education program at the Whitfield County Career Academy.

Since the Career Academy was originally built to house only upperclassmen, it has no gymnasium. So Badillo has looked at alternative physical activities, which led to flying-saucer-shaped Frisbees floating around outside the school last week.

“This is not conventional physical education, and that’s pretty much why I took the job last year,” Badillo, 30, said. “I wanted to give kids a look at a different way to be active. This gives kids who don’t like mainstream sports, like football or basketball, a chance to be athletic.”

When the Career Academy was opened in 2005, it only accepted juniors and seniors. But last year, students in grades 9-12 filled the new charter school, and it became necessary to offer such health and physical education classes the state requires for freshmen and sophomores.

This year, the school has 1,074 full- and part-time students with about 750 of those being full-time students. The rest split their days between Northwest and Southeast high schools, attending the Career Academy either in a morning or afternoon shift.

The Whitfield County Board of Education added a Career Academy gymnasium to the list of building projects made possible in part by voter approval of a third educational SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) in September 2006. But until that gym — and locker rooms — can be built, P.E. classes there are somewhat nomadic.

“My classes are transient. We float into whatever classroom is not being used,” Badillo said. “Sometimes the nearest bathroom where students can change is halfway down the hall. I have to keep a handle on splitballs in the hall.”

Students seemed to enjoy their first day of frisbee golf on Thursday, playing at the back of the school on a field of mostly dirt, already leveled for the future gymnasium.

“It was pretty fun. You have to keep good aim to throw the frisbee through the hoops,” said freshman Lupe Izaguirre. “I wasn’t very good. I have to practice.”

Career Academy assistant principal Sarah McCown said Badillo also offered frisbee golf last year, in addition to running, aerobics, weightlifting mechanics, badminton, soccer, Wiffle Ball and archery.

“Archery was a fun one. I was amazed we finished our first year with no casualties. I thought at least one student would have taken a shot at me,” Badillo laughed. “But in the end, we had a lot of students look into getting their own bows. There are a lot of public archery ranges and Ultimate Frisbee courses in the area and clubs in college. There’s also scholarship money out there.”

Freshman Mark Kline said he didn’t mind the running the class has done so far.

“I like running outside; the heats works you out more. Plus, you have people to help keep you running. I have bad knees, but other people push me,” Kline said.

Kline said he and others brings change of clothes and plenty of deodorant, so they don’t really miss having a shower and locker room. Badillo added that classes weren’t held outdoors during the recent heat wave.

“We spent half our time on health and half on physical education. When it was hot, we were inside completing the health component the state requires,” Badillo said. “Students have to complete the state Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program (ADAP) before they can get their driver’s license, so we try to to that right away, since most are itching to get their license,” Badillo said. “Then we go outside, weather permitting. I always plan the week’s events ahead of time and keep an eye on the forecast.”

Assistant principal Tim Fleming said the gym design has altered since it was first proposed. The 2,000-seat gym will feature arena-type seating below ground level, and it will feature a wellness center where students can learn to be fitness trainers or choose from other “health and wellness” occupational paths that principal Phillip Brown has in mind.

“We want to involve the public in this gym, too, and possibly have kids train them. I’d like to have a weight program and even a swimming pool over a conventional gym,” Badillo said. “I’ve been certified in SCUBA training since I was 15, and I’d love to teach that. Kids could learn snorkeling and lifeguarding, which is in tune with the Career Academy theme. Students could earn $10-$12 during the summer lifeguarding at age 15.”

While Northwest High School is currently developing a swim team that will use the Dalton High pool, superintendent Katie Brochu said a pool is not possible with the current SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, which, in part, is funding the gym), but she didn’t rule one out in the future.

“We’re looking at a fitness center for the Career Academy gym,” Brochu said, “but certain things have to happen first. We have to look at what the scope can be.”

Badillo said, until the new gym can be built, possibly in 2010, Fleming is looking into using a gym at a nearby church.

“When our gym is finished, it should be really nice. The wellness center will allow us to teach personal training incorporated into our career theme,” Badillo said. “People can earn a certification here and them go out and make some pretty good money doing that.”