06-01-2010, 04:25 PM
Move over Robert Doyle, you have company at SCHS.
Mike Caseyâs name will soon grace the court at Shelby County High School, and a plaque will be placed in the lobby of the school proclaiming it Mike Casey Gymnasium.
The Shelby County Board of Education unanimously approved the recommendation from the Facility Naming Committee at Thursdayâs meeting.
The committee, comprised of members of the community, was called together earlier this month after the school district received several letters urging it to honor Casey, who passed away in April 2009.
To name any school, facility or property, the district's guidelines take into account geographical features and areas of the county and prominent people who have contributed to the history and/or progress of the area. That would include a name that has been famous in the history of the county or the name of person who has achieved national, state or local prominence.
The committee felt Casey met that criteria, and it wasnât just for his basketball career.
"Mike fits all the criteria, and he did more stuff for kids in this county that people don't even know about," said Gene Witt, who played with Casey on the 1966 state championship team, during the committee meeting. "I'm not only recommending him because he was a great ball player, but he was a great person. We have a Facebook site that has more than 1,600 members that agree that the gym should be named after him."
Board member Sam Hinkle agreed with Witt, saying basketball had little to do with his vote.
âI wouldnât support this if Mike Casey was just a great basketball player,â he said. âHe supported this community and the kids in this community, and it takes both.â
Casey, a native of Simpsonville, was a member of Shelby Countyâs 1966 State Championship basketball team and was named Mr. Basketball later that year. He went on to star at the University of Kentucky where he was named All-SEC and earned Academic All-SEC and Academic All-American honors. he also was an All-America softball player.
Board member Doug Butler said itâs important not to forget Caseyâs studious side.
âThatâs something we need to make sure we add to the plaque,â Butler said. âItâs important for kids to see his academic prowess as well.â
No plans have been discussed for when and how the dedication would take place
http://www.lcni5.com/cgi-bin/c2.cgi?019+...7019019004
Mike Caseyâs name will soon grace the court at Shelby County High School, and a plaque will be placed in the lobby of the school proclaiming it Mike Casey Gymnasium.
The Shelby County Board of Education unanimously approved the recommendation from the Facility Naming Committee at Thursdayâs meeting.
The committee, comprised of members of the community, was called together earlier this month after the school district received several letters urging it to honor Casey, who passed away in April 2009.
To name any school, facility or property, the district's guidelines take into account geographical features and areas of the county and prominent people who have contributed to the history and/or progress of the area. That would include a name that has been famous in the history of the county or the name of person who has achieved national, state or local prominence.
The committee felt Casey met that criteria, and it wasnât just for his basketball career.
"Mike fits all the criteria, and he did more stuff for kids in this county that people don't even know about," said Gene Witt, who played with Casey on the 1966 state championship team, during the committee meeting. "I'm not only recommending him because he was a great ball player, but he was a great person. We have a Facebook site that has more than 1,600 members that agree that the gym should be named after him."
Board member Sam Hinkle agreed with Witt, saying basketball had little to do with his vote.
âI wouldnât support this if Mike Casey was just a great basketball player,â he said. âHe supported this community and the kids in this community, and it takes both.â
Casey, a native of Simpsonville, was a member of Shelby Countyâs 1966 State Championship basketball team and was named Mr. Basketball later that year. He went on to star at the University of Kentucky where he was named All-SEC and earned Academic All-SEC and Academic All-American honors. he also was an All-America softball player.
Board member Doug Butler said itâs important not to forget Caseyâs studious side.
âThatâs something we need to make sure we add to the plaque,â Butler said. âItâs important for kids to see his academic prowess as well.â
No plans have been discussed for when and how the dedication would take place
http://www.lcni5.com/cgi-bin/c2.cgi?019+...7019019004