Ballantyne Magazine covers news, events, real estate, restaurants, shopping, health, schools and business in the upscale Ballantyne Area of Charlotte, NC.
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BALLANTYNE | feature in and was put on the sub list. "God has a fate for us all; it was about a month or two of subbing and they offered me the P.E. (physical education) job," he continues. "I've been here ever since." He served as a football, basketball and baseball coach. After two years as assistant AD, he assumed the AD position a decade ago. The role suits him, he says. "I'm a people person. I'm outgoing and I think that helps because I'm able to communicate effectively with others," he says. "And, probably like all the other ADs, I care about our kids. Not just our kids but the kids in general." Christmas oversees around 70 coaches who lead more than 40 teams. "Our students take pride in trying to win the Wachovia Cup, which goes to the best overall sports program in the state," he said. "They have that one common goal to be the best." He laughs when asked if his job has gotten more difficult over the years. "Yes!" he says. "Just trying to stay in communication with the student-athletes, with the parents and I try to help them with colleges, too. It's a tough balancing act." While he says athletes are working harder in the off- season to prepare for potential college sports participation, it doesn't change that only one percent are going to get scholarships. "To have kids work hard and not reach that is difficult to see," he says. His own children are active in sports at St. Gabriel Catholic School. Jack is on the football, lacrosse and basketball teams. Georgia Lee is a cheerleader. Lindsay plays soccer and basketball. "I try to be just a dad," Christmas says. "I'm 80 BALLANTYNE MAGAZINE name still isn't on the door. And that's just how he likes it. Jimmy Broadway just there for support. I like that. I like being a parent." And he's made it a priority. "This is one thing I promised myself when I took the job and I still try to do this today: I might stay in my office until 9, 10 p.m. but I don't bring the job home with me. It's not fair to my family," he says. Christmas has a full slate. In addition to being AD, he coaches football and baseball and teaches two health classes and two P.E. classes. He also wants to be accessible. "I just try to be there for people. That can be a downfall, too," he says. "My wife will always jump on me. The thing with my wife, and all the ADs will tell you, in this job you have to have a special person who knows how it is. My kids know, too. They'll ask, 'Are you coming home for dinner tonight?' And I'll say, 'No, I have this game or that and won't be in until late.' My family support has been just tremendous. Without that I don't think I could do this job." He relishes coaching because it keeps "everything in perspective." It also builds relationships. "When students see you as a coach on the field knowing you're putting in as much time as they are, it's important," he says. "On a Friday night here at Charlotte Catholic, just like Ardrey Kell and all the other schools, it's a special place. Trying to work with the people who run the stadium and so forth and trying to make sure everyone feels welcome and has what they need is very, very difficult." The Quiet Man Jimmy Broadway Charlotte Latin School Despite extensive expansion to Charlotte Latin School's athletic facilities, the office of Athletic Director Jimmy Broadway has remained largely untouched over the years. A Latin employee since 1986, he served as coach and physical plant director after being Charlotte Country Day School's head basketball coach. Broadway assumed the role of Latin's AD in 1990. His CELEBRATING TEN YEARS 2000-2010 A scholarship basketball player at Wake Forest University under legendary coach Bones McKinney, Broadway coached Wake's freshman team before teaching sixth grade and eventually coaching high school football, basketball and baseball. He started his private school career in 1970 at Country Day, and by the time he became AD at Latin was an old hand at juggling demands. Today he oversees 130 coaches and 70 teams at the K-12 school. Broadway's humility has allowed student- athletes and coaches to take the spotlight, which is just what he wants. "It's a Chinese fire drill," he says of the logistics. He says his success has been in surrounding himself with people smarter than he is. "I did that all along my whole life," he says. "You hire someone like (varsity volleyball coach) Susie Pignetti. You help them out but you don't need to look over her shoulder. And I don't look over shoulders. Presently we have a coaching staff I wouldn't WINTER 2010-2011