Page 32 - Laker Connection Fall 2013

“
trast between teaching and administration as going from the front line where teachers form relationships with students to shifting into more of a disciplinary role. As instructional leader for the 9th-12th grade, he values every opportunity he has to impact a stu- dent’s life.
Those opportunities also happen on the courts. Charlie has served as
basketball coach at
Forest Park High
School, Morrow High
School, Adamson
Middle School, and
Jasper County High
School. At Clayton
State University, an
award was estab-
lished in his honor:
“The Charlie Frazier ‘Laker Award’ is named for an alumnus who embodies all the characteristics of the ideal Clayton State Men’s Basketball student-athlete. The recipient of this award sets the example for his fellow teammates in the classroom and in life.”
Returning to that presentation in Spivey Hall, Charlie stood at the microphone and recounted the goals to which he aspired (he called it the condensed version): “Earning a college degree; having a stable and substantial job where I could make a difference; being a teacher of the year; being a student-athlete and playing a sport that I love so dearly; winning a conference championship; and being recognized as a good and decent human being.” He attributes his success to the experience and expertise of others – yet he is obviously an exceptional individual. Char- lie concluded by sharing with the audience, “I am Clayton State... where dreams are made real. How do I know? Because they made mine real.”
_ Dolores Cox
alumni profile
CHARLIE FRAZIER
I AM CLAYTON STATE
Idreamed of earning a college degree,” he
said during a presentation in Spivey Hall. That dream has been realized, and more, for Charlie L. Frazier, Jr., who earned a Bache- lor of Arts degree in Middle Grades Educa-
tion in 2002. His story begins like many others, but his path and his destination reveal a strength of char- acter and depth of integrity that are pure inspiration.
After finding how “the party side” of college life can halt forward progress, Charlie joined the U.S. Army and served for almost five years. He was still holding on to the dream but had no plan. While stationed in Georgia, he met a representative from Clayton State. And the rest, as they say, is history. Under the leadership of Coach Gordon Gibbons, Charlie excelled as a four year letterwinner in men’s basketball. Several of his records still stand: he ranks fourth all-time in games played; ranks second all-time in games started; ranks third all-time in points scored; ranks second all-time in steals; and ranks first all-time in assists.
Charlie also changed his academic direction from pre-Army computer science to education. Both his parents have successful careers as teachers, prin- cipals, and administrators. “They were examples,” he says proudly. His sister also teaches and coaches. He credits Dr. Annita Hunt at Clayton State for pro- viding the essential role model for the classroom. “She was so goal-oriented. She made you feel like you were number one. I carried that forward to my classes,” he explains.
Following graduation, Charlie began his pro- fessional experience teaching mathematics and so- cial studies at Adamson Middle School in Rex, where he was named Teacher of the Year 2007-2008. In 2010, he became assistant principal and athletic director at Henderson Middle School in Jackson; and in 2012, he assumed responsibilities as assistant prin- cipal at Jackson High School. He describes the con-
30
THE LAKER CONNECTION
I am Clayton State... where dreams are made real. How do I know? Because they made mine real.