In wake of the news that now former Principal Timothy Guiney would be leaving, the Grady athletic community mourned.

Guiney, who started this week as an associate superintendent in Clayton County schools,  was a common face to see at athletic events such a football and basketball, but he would also show up to the sports that don’t get as much attention from the community such as track & field, soccer, and lacrosse.

“When you’re at a high school, that is the number one important thing, having a principal who supports athletics and likes sports because sports and athletics drive the whole high school community and culture,” athletic director Myss Johnson-Jelks said. “It’s just good to have someone with the kids interests? in heart, whatever their interests are.”

Guiney was often on the sidelines of a football game, but you could also find him in the stands at the state championship track meet showing support for his student athletes.

“I have been coaching here 21 years, and this is the first time I have seen a principal come out to a state track meet, which is an hour away, as well as come to the sectional track meet,” said boys track coach, Delbert Ellerton, who also advises the Southerner. “It means a lot to the kids to know they have support from the top down.”

Guiney showed his appreciation to his school’s athletes and coaches. He set a new standard for administration in terms of how it should support their students outside of the classroom.

“It’s always good to have administration come out and support not just my sport, but to have  the knowledge of how to run an athletic program, and what it takes to be successful in athletics,” said football, wrestling and girls track coach, Earthwind Moreland.  “To see the administration come out, it shows a type of unity and a type of bonding and school spirit. You see that in all of the good programs across the state of Georgia.”

While it is required for an administrator of some sort to attend Grady home events, Guiney would attend in his free time and encourage his other staff members to come with him. He even made the February trip to Fort Valley State University to watch the basketball team compete in the Elite 8 and Final Four rounds of the playoffs.

“It’s always good to have the head boss come to your games, and see the hard work the players put in. Mr. Guiney put in a lot work with our basketball team and coming out, and being a part of a great season last year,” said basketball coach Brian Weeden.

With Guiney at the helm, the amount of administration at athletic events increased tremendously. AP Psychology teacher Andrew Copeland took on the role of supporting his students outside of the classroom. Starting last season, he has attended every home volleyball game in support of his students.   

”It’s great to have part of your administration to come and support because they have your back and you get to see them (the students) in a different light, not just walking around the hallways,” said football offensive coordinator Terry Jones. “It feels good seeing people support you in the sport you have been doing since a child.”

Guiney’s support of his student-athletes showed a side of him that many people didn’t get to see.

“Its nice to know that we have support from our principal. He spoke to us off the court, in the locker room, just letting us know that he was behind our back and that was good motivation,” said junior basketball point guard Jadyn Graham.