The Wallace Govs have found the new leader of it's athletic department. John Rushing has been named the school's new athletic director. Rushing will officially assume the position on June 1^st.

Rushing comes to Wallace from Chipola College in Marianna where he has been the assistant athletic director for nearly five years.

"I said this in my interview," Rushing stated, "Why wouldn't I (come to Dothan)? I was looking for a different opportunity, whatever is the right thing or whatever needs to happen. It was something about adding the new sports and being able to be a part of something new and different. I knew this college supported its athletic programs very well. It was coming back to Alabama, where I've spent most of my life. Once I started the process, I thought this sounded like something I really wanted to do and be a part of."

It became obvious during the hiring and interview process that Wallace wanted Rushing to be a part of the new era as well. Outgoing Athletic Director Dr. Ryan Spry said Rushing is the complete package.

"After an exhaustive search," Spry said, "It became apparent that John Rushing was the right person to lead our department into an exciting, new chapter of Govs athletics. John has a strong and established background in athletic administration within the NJCAA and checked all of the boxes we were looking for in a new athletic director. In particular, his hands-on work with academic eligibility, financial management, travel logistics, and gameday administration will prove to be valuable assets for our coaching staff and student-athletes."

Without a doubt, Rushing is a very good fit for Wallace College. He knows the school and its history. He knows the area. And he already knows a lot of people in the area. He has coached against many of them, including the likes of Larry Tubbs, Mackey Sasser, and Sammy Frichter.

While his background is predominantly in baseball, those playing softball and other sports need not fear.

"Last weekend I was down in Clearwater watching our softball girls compete," he said of his Chipola Lady Indians at the Florida District Tournament. "I was yelling just as loud as all of our fans. And I was getting on the umpires, too. I'm headed to Arizona next week (to watch Chipola in the Softball World Series) and I'll be cheering just as loud there. I support all of our athletes. I just want to win, and I want all of them to be successful."

Not only will Rushing be leading and supporting the athletes at Wallace, he sets a good example for a lot of older adults. Just like many in the workforce, Rushing decided to go back to class later in life. He didn't get his degree from Troy University until he was 38.

Another unusual fact about Rushing is that he never played college baseball or even high school baseball. Yet he became the head baseball coach at Tuscaloosa Academy. He was also head coach of American Legion baseball teams in Tuscaloosa and Troy. He restarted the very successful Troy Post 70 while he was serving as Director of Baseball Operations at Troy University.

Rushing has been a part of winning programs at every stop. Rushing won championships at high school, while an assistant coach at Bevill State, several sports at Chipola, and of course, American Legion. Rushing is a huge fan of American Legion baseball but he doesn't see himself starting a team in Dothan.

"I would love to see it," he said. "I always want anybody anywhere to have an American Legion baseball team. I think by far it's the best baseball that a high school aged kid can play in the summer. It teaches teamwork and it teaches you to be together rather than some of these travel ball things now that are scattered."

Rushing said his new duties at Wallace will keep him from starting a team here, but he is open to helping someone else do so.

When asked what he wanted the people to know about him coming to Dothan, Rushing said, "We want them (the Dothan people) to come see what is going on at Wallace and what's happening with the new programs and supporting our baseball and softball programs as well. We want to build on that, and we want people to be a part of that. We want people who want to get to know these kids. Once they get to know them, they will support them. If we make those type of connections, we can really grow this into something special."

Spry said that is one of the reasons Rushing was selected as athletic director.

"Aside from his impressive resume and specific work experience, everyone I have spoken with about John raves about his integrity, passion, and commitment to excellence in all he does – things we emphasize daily within our department."

And what about Spry? With Rushing taking over on June 1, that means Spry's last day as athletic director is May 31.

"Once John gets settled into his role," Spry said, "I will transition back into an administrative oversight role with athletics, supervising our sports from a broader perspective. John's presence will also allow me to focus more attention on the other areas within our Student and Campus Services department, as well as be able to respond more effectively to any new initiatives our new president, Dr. Kathy Murphy, may have for our team."