SMITHFIELD – Brad Betterton, Athletic Director at Archer Lodge Middle, recently received the inaugural Middle School Athletic Director of Excellence Award from the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association (NCADA). Betterton was recognized for his significant contributions at the middle school level in the field of athletic administration in North Carolina.
A 20-year educator, he has spent each and every day serving the children and families of Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS). He has mainly been a physical education (P.E.) teacher and coach, spending one year as an assistant principal. After that one year, Betterton went back to what he loved the most. “I missed coaching, and working with the kids,” he said.
Growing up in Roxboro, both of his parents were career educators. His mom taught elementary school for 30 years, and his father also served in public education for 30 years as a high school teacher, middle school counselor, and then an administrator. Betterton witnessed firsthand the commitment and dedication of his parents to their students. In middle school, Betterton knew he wanted to pursue a career in education.
During his middle and high school years, Betterton played soccer, tennis, and ran track. After high school, he studied at Lees McRae for two years, transferring to Wingate University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education. He continued his studies at Campbell University earning a Master of Exercise Science, and then a Master of School Administration.
Luckily for JCPS, Betterton’s sister got a job in Johnston County and suggested he move there too. So he did. In 2002, he was offered the only middle school physical education position at Corinth Holders, then a K-8 school. He coached football, basketball, and softball, as well. He also met his wife there, who was an Exceptional Children (EC) teacher. When Archer Lodge Middle was complete, they both made the move to the new school.
For Betterton, coaching is more than teaching children how to play soccer or baseball. It’s a chance to build relationships with the students, even if they don’t play sports. For those who do not thrive in a classroom environment, a lot of them love P.E. because it’s an opportunity to burn off energy. It’s also an opportunity for him to make a connection with those children. “If they know that you care about them, that you’re going to be there for them, and you’ve got their best interest in mind, they’ll do just about anything for you,” he commented.
Last school year, he taught and coached at Smithfield Middle. The baseball team had a losing season, but Betterton said it was one of the best seasons he ever had as a coach. That’s because of the impact he was able to make on the athletes in dealing with adversity and turning losses into lessons.
Now, once again at Archer Lodge Middle, Betterton feels he is back home. He has a profound love for the school, the children, their families, and the community. Coming from Corinth Holders to Archer Lodge Middle has created deep roots for him and the partnership between the two schools. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” he said.
Being named one of the first recipients of the NCADA Middle School Athletic Director of Excellence Award is still hard for Betterton to wrap his mind around. He was one of only six athletic directors nominated. “It has humbled me,” he said. He credits his father’s work ethic, and the lessons he learned from mentor and friend Jeff Parker, the athletic director at Four Oaks Middle School. He and Parker worked together at Corinth Holders for seven years, and Betterton continues to use the philosophies he learned from Parker, making adjustments to fit the situations at hand.
Betterton’s favorite aspect of being an athletic director is being able to influence decisions at the leadership level. “I want my opinion to be heard,” he remarked. Another aspect of his position he enjoys is helping the first year coaches as they navigate their roles and responsibilities.
His advice to anyone considering a career as a coach or athletic director is, “If you have a passion for it and are fully committed, it can be the most rewarding experience.” Betterton believes he was put on Earth to coach. “It’s not work, it’s fun,” he said. “I have the best job ever!”
As a JCPS bus driver I actually saw this man use his gift to improve the morning of a student. She got on the bus distraught and angry. As soon as we pulled on the bus lot I got his attention to assist. Everything got better as he called her name – the tension left her shoulders and he helped turn her world right side up! It takes building relationships to lead to learning. Congratulations Sir!
Well deserved, both my sons played soccer for him. He is a wonderful human Being.