RUARK FORCED TO GIVE UP COACHING

Mark Ruark was forced to give up his post as Cape Central High's girls basketball coach recently because he held a position as a high school assistant principal.

Because of that policy set by new principal Mike Cowen, Central athletic director Terry Kitchen is faced with the difficult task of finding two head coaches despite having no teaching positions available at the high school.

The new imposed policy, sources say, is the same reason nine-time state champion basketball coach Lennies McFerren withdrew his name from consideration as the new Cape Central coach. Even though an assistant principal position is open at the high school, McFerren -- currently at New Madrid County High School -- was offered a position as an assistant principal and athletic director at the junior high. All the assistant principal positions at the junior high are currently filled.

As for Ruark, he was undecided whether he was going to coach again next year anyway, citing personal reasons.

"The problem with me is I have a sophomore son, a 7-year old and a 2-year old and doing both requires a lot of time away from my family," Ruark said. "As far as handling the job of a coach and assistant principal, that was not a problem for me. In fact, coaching was great therapy for me. After a stressful day as an administrator, I got to do something I loved."

Of last season in which the Lady Tigers battled through numerous injuries and finished 14-11, Ruark said "It was a lot of fun. The fun part about it was that, despite all the injuries, seeing all the kids step up who we weren't expecting. I really, really enjoyed it."

According to school superintendent Dan Steska, there is no formal policy regarding double duty as an administrator and coach.

"But we prefer they (administrators) not have to coach," Steska said. "I know our new principal prefers that. As a former principal, I feel being a coach detracts time that can be spent with parents and students after school."

Ruark gave up coaching once before, in 1994, when he first took the assistant principal job. At that time, under principal Dan Tallent, he was told he would have to give up coaching to accept the new position. Back then, Ruark said he was a bit "burned out" and gave up coaching until this past year. Ruark, who was excited about getting back into coaching, was cleared to do both this past season.

Ruark said he was willing to coach until the school found a proven replacement, but now, with no teaching positions open, Central's options may be limited to promoting from within.

Kitchen said a search for a new girls coach has begun but added that if no candidates are found for the girls post, Ruark, out of necessity, could coach again next year.