By Richard Carrier
Contributing writer

Dr. Jack Talmadge’s decision to accept the director’s position at the Summit Charter School in Cashiers, NC, this spring left a vacancy in the Principal’s position at Blessed Sacrament Huguenot. President James A. Fortune was faced with his first major personnel decision since taking over last spring from the retiring Dr. Candy Hopewell.

Henderson

Acting Principal Joseph J. Oley has been elevated to Principal and his previous slot as Assistant Principal has been filled by former Athletic Director, Head Football Coach and math instructor Mike Henderson. Henderson’s new responsibilities didn’t offer him adequate time to be effective as Athletic Director and full-time instructor, so he has stepped down as Athletic Director and will teach only one regular class. He will continue as Head Football Coach and will guide the Knights through the 2008 season, his 12th at Blessed Sacrament.

Henderson’s duties as Assistant Principal began on June 10 and that time frame has given him the opportunity to get comfortable in the job before the student body returns in the fall.

His primary responsibilities involve discipline, text book acquisition and “about 50 other things,” he said. Although he has no administrative experience, Henderson welcomes his new opportunity.

“I was looking for another challenge. I needed another challenge,” he said. “I’ve certainly found that here. It’s something that has really piqued my interest.”

The now-vacant Athletic Director’s slot had to be filled and, again, the Blessed Sacrament Huguenot administration looked internally and tapped Brice Fritts for the position. Fritts has been on the coaching staff at BSH since 2005 and accepted a position as a physics and science instructor in 2006.

“It’s amazing how the pieces fell into place,” he said. Fritts graduated from Douglas Freeman High School and went on to play Division 1-AA football on a two-time National Championship team at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, Pa. Mike Henderson grew up in Pittsburgh, played football at the University of Richmond and was an assistant coach at Douglas Freeman during two of the seasons Fritts played there.

Fritts earned a degree in engineering software from Robert Morris followed by a master’s degree in Engineering Management. He played club rugby after his first four years at Robert Morris, but when he returned to the Richmond area looking for job opportunities he also decided he wanted to get back into football.

“Coach Henderson and I had kept in touch and I had always liked the relationship,” he said. When the new assistant coach slot became available, Fritts was the successful candidate for the subsequent teaching position as well. He served, and will continue to serve, as the Junior Varsity Football Coach and continue teaching and coaching. “I’ve been helping Mike out at the AD position, but the biggest challenge is to get accustomed to the whole thing,” he said.

Christy Henderson, Mike’s wife, will continue her duties as Girl’s Athletic Director.

Brice Fritts is also a newlywed. He married Melissa in June of this year. He lives with his new bride and step-daughter in Mechanicsville.