Gentry hires girls' basketball coach

GENTRY - At the recommendation of a special committee formed to consider applicants for the post, Gentry's school board voted unanimously on Tuesday (with the exception of Randall Bolinger, who was absent) to offer a contract to Tim Fulks to be the next head coach for the senior girls' basketball team at Gentry High School.

Fulks was recommended out of a pool of more than 20 applicants for the post. According to a letter prepared by Brian Little, Gentry's head football coach and athletic director, Fulks brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in coaching basketball.

"Coach Fulks brings thirteen years of high school coaching experience to Gentry," Little wrote. "He will be leaving Batesville after one season as the head senior boys' basketball coach. He spent 12 years as the head senior girls' coach at Bald Knob, where he transformed their program into a perennial winner."

Little cited the following statistics: 252 wins in 12 years, with regional and state tournament appearances, including making it to the state semi-finals.

His letter also cited things others have said about Fulks: "He is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever been around"; "He knows the game of basketball as well as anybody I know"; "He cares about his players"; "He has a great work ethic"; and "He gets involved with other aspects of the school process."

“I believe that with my experience and the athletes at Gentry High School, we could build a solid and winning program," Fulks said.

Fulks was also commended for his devotion to teaching. He is expected to move to Gentry some time soon after his contract at Batesville is fulfilled - sometime after June 30.

Little voiced special thanks to the members of the selection committee for their time and efforts in the process of selecting a replacement for Coach Tim Rippy, who accepted a position coaching girls' basketball at Siloam Springs High School.

On the selection committee were: Brian Little, athletic director; Brae Harper, GHS principal; Joni Wilson, GHS technology coordinator and cheer coach; Sean Price, GHS head boy's basketball coach; Coye Cripps, Gentry School Board; Dwayne Fox, community member and official; Gene James, Gentry Youth Organization basketball coach and coordinator; and Jerri Weathers, community member and parent with two daughters in the basketball program.

News, Pages 9 on 06/05/2013