This week The Columbian-Progress spotlights Charlie James, girls basketball head coach, assistant track coach and teacher at Columbia High School.
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born here in Columbia May 29, 1969.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I graduated from East Marion in '87.
Q: Where do you work? Tell us about your job/company.
A: I'm a coach, teacher (and) bus driver. I do some of everything, but my role is a teacher and coach (at Columbia).
Q: What led you to your profession?
A: Just love of sports, really. I always loved to play basketball, and once I finished high school and went to school, I always wanted to give back around the game. I thought the best way to give back to the game was just teaching and coaching.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: Every day (is) something different. It's rewarding every day to come in, and it's never the same thing twice. You've got something to deal with every day.
Q: What's the most challenging part of your job?
A: I would say probably the changing of the times just from where it was when I started to now, just going through the different changes. It's more demanding and dealing with other issues that you wouldn't have to in the past.
Q: What is the most important lesson you have learned in your career?
A: Take every day for itself. Don't hold on to something from yesterday, but just take every day for itself.
Q: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: Initially, as a very young child, I remember wanting to be a truck driver. Through the years, different professions came to mind, but for some reason, I always came back to education.
Q: What was your first job?
A: I worked at McDonald's for the summer for my very first job.
Q: Who is the person who has been most influential in your life?
A: Probably my grandparents. They were really influential in my life. I would say a lot of my teachers and coaches. Just so many people that has made an impact on my life, it's hard to pinpoint just one.
Q: What is your spouse's name?
A: I am married of 28 years. My wife's name is Beverly.
Q: Do you have children?
A: I have three kids -- two daughters and a son. My oldest daughter is Shana. My middle daughter is Savanna, and my son is Charlie II.
Q: If you could have anything for your last meal on earth, what would it be?
A: Probably some seafood.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: Maybe some nice resort, island or something like that. Something tropical.
Q: What hobbies do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I enjoy watching sports, hanging out with friends, going to sporting events, tailgating and just kind of enjoying family.
Q: What do you enjoy about Columbia and Marion County?
A: Just a familiarity, close network of family here. A lot of camaraderie. Columbia has a lot to offer, and I like the people here.
Q: What clubs or organizations are you involved with? Where do you go to church?
A: I attend New Zion United Methodist Church in Lampton. I'm a member of the Marion County Democratic Executive Committee. I work on the Lampton Water/Sewer board. I just try to be involved as much as I can in the community.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone from your life or history, who would it be and why?
A: Dr. Martin Luther King
Q: What is your biggest guilty pleasure?
A: My kids always say the Hallmark Channel.
Q: What moment in your life has had the biggest impact on who you are today?
A: Starting a family, watching my kids grow up and graduate, watching the birth of my grandkids. Things like that.
Q: What is one thing you want to do that you've never tried?
A: I've been a lot of different places, but I've never been to (Las) Vegas. I keep saying that I want to go to Vegas, and I just never have gotten to that point.
Q: Using one word for each, what are your top three defining characteristics?
A: Caring, determined and dedicated.
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: I would like to be remembered as someone who enjoyed life and someone that tried to make a difference. When it's all said and done, I would like to be known as someone that's made a difference.
