Josh Barnett - Sports Editor

For 25 years you were guaranteed to see one face on the sidelines at South Ripley's boys' varsity basketball games. It wasn't the coach, it wasn't the principal it was the bookkeeper, Norman McIntosh. From 1971 to 1989, then again from 2000-2004 McIntosh has been the bookkeeper at both home and away games for the Raiders.

One day in 1971 Norman walked into a game and was asked if he would keep the book for SR, and of course he said he would. Little did he know that that night would lead to 25 years of service to the same school.

McIntosh wasn't just known on the boys' basketball court, he also did the book for girls varsity basketball for 10 years, volleyball for 10 years and helped out with track and cross country meets for
many years.

A 1950 graduate of Versailles High School, Norman has been around this area all his life with the exception of 4 years spent in the military. He and his wife, Frances, still reside in Versailles. Their daughter Brenda graduated from South Ripley High School, their granddaughters Karen, Stacy and Amy all graduated from South Ripley and their great grandson Patrick is currently a kindergartner at South Ripley.

In his tenure as bookkeeper for the varsity boys' basketball team Norman has seen six different coaches including Jim Feist, Stan Webber, Bob Meyer, Noel Bostic and Scott Holdsworth. After his first 18 years of bookkeeping he resigned and hadn't planned on coming back until he was asked again in 2000 and he wasn't going to do it this year, but Scott Holdsworth asked him to come back for one more year. In all his
years as bookkeeper Norman has missed less than 12 boys basketball games, 1 girls basketball game in 10 years and no volleyball games in 10 years.

"I've always appreciated the hard work these kids put into what they do," stated Frances. "Sports makes good citizens it teaches them aspects in life like teamwork, responsibility, dedication, work ethics, sportsmanship and leadership," said Norman, "It also builds character." Frances and Norman both finished with saying, "We've definitely had some great memories at South Ripley."

Just because Norman is retiring from bookkeeping doesn't mean he is going to quit going to SR events. You will still see him and Frances sitting on the sidelines at every basketball game, but Norman just won't be keeping the book.

Josh Barnett - Sports Editor

The newest face in South Ripley athletics is a recognizable face to some in the school district. Former Raider Nathan Baurley is taking over the boys' varsity track coaching position and is also the assistant girls' varsity track coach under long time coach Troy Mohr.

Baurley graduated from South Ripley in 1999 where he participated in several sports including baseball for 3 years, basketball for 2 years, track for 2 years and cross country for a year. He set the school record for the 200 and 400 in junior high, which are still unbroken today.

After high school Baurley continued his schooling at Hanover College. While at Hanover he studied Elementary Education before receiving a bachelors degree in Elementary Education. Upon graduating from college he was offered a teaching job at South Ripley Elementary School for second grade where he is currently working.

Baurley says he's excited about the upcoming season and his varsity team, which currently has 19 runners. "I'm excited about this season, we have a lot of potential and if the guys work hard then we should be successful," noted Baurley.

JOSH BARNETT PHOTO

Norman McIntosh and his wife Frances have been fans of SR athletics for more than 25 years. They pose in their SR shirts on a day that the Raiders don't even have a game to show their loyal support of athletics at the school.