He’s served as baseball coach, athletic director, lead teacher and more, and now Bruce Ratcliff is reflecting on his long career as he prepares to retire from the Columbia School District.
“We moved to Columbia in the 1990-91 school year,” Ratcliff said. “I came here as the new head baseball coach that followed Joey Porter because Sammy Davis was the coach and he left in December 1989 and Joey Porter took over for one year. I took over for Joey for the 1991 season. I taught physical science and biology. I was endorsed in science.”
Over the years, Ratcliff has served in many roles at Columbia High School, including an assistant junior high football coach and assistant in slow-pitch softball. But his most notable coaching assignment was as head baseball coach for 12 years until the 2002 season.
“After 2002, I got into administration,” he said. “My youngest daughter, Mallory, has epilepsy and that kind of played into it. As baseball coach, I was gone a lot during the season. She was really young at the time. So I was convinced to get into the administrative end of it. Dr. Marietta James was a key component of it, along with Ms. (Sheila) Burbridge of helping me become the lead teacher.
“I assist here with office duties and discipline and also was over the alternative/second chance center. I became athletic director when coach Steve Harmon retired and had that role for six years. It’s a full job within itself. We have a lot of varsity and JV sports, a lot of extra-curricular activities that you’ve got to coordinate with the coaches. It’s a big job.”
When Ratcliff came to Columbia, he hoped for something long term after teaching for three years in Richton after graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi.
“Fortunately, I guess, for me, Mr. Gary Smyly was the principal and Mr. Smyly was my principal at Laurel High School. We knew each other. It worked out to where I came and interviewed for the job and coach Charles Boston was the athletic director at the time and I remember him asking me if I was going to stay here with them, I said, ‘I’m here for the long haul.’ Every time I see him now, 28 years later, I say, ‘Coach Boston, I’m still here.’ We both grew up in Laurel and he always called me his Jones County boy.”
Ratcliff said that people made the difference in his and other people’s decisions to stay in Columbia.
“The people are great here,” he said. “They are very supportive of our school system. They have always been supportive of the athletic programs as well as academics. The support that we get here is special. Both my girls graduated from Columbia High School, and we’ve become part of the community. It’s important for people to be involved and see the kids outside of school. It is important for the kids involved in other activities to see you and see you support them whether it is the musical, band or other sports. It’s important for those kids to see you support them.”
After 28 years, Ratcliff said he is seeing familiar families in school.
“I’m on the generation now that the children of the kids I taught when I first came here are now here, he said. “They know me and they know that with that longevity that I’m not just here to draw a paycheck. I try to get to know the kids and know who their parents are; that’s key. I know where they live and what their interests are. That’s what makes it fulfilling in that sense. You get to see those kids and watch them grow up and then later on you have their kids.”
What’s next for Ratcliff in retirement? He says a variety of things.
“I hope there will be some rest and relaxation,” he said. “There will be some projects at home. I’m leaving all my options open. Whatever God has in store for me, I’m open to it.”
Pictured Above: After 28 years at Columbia High School, Athletic Director and Lead Teacher Bruce Ratcliff will retire at the end of this school year. | Photo by Mark Rogers
