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Brookland-Cayce High School EDUCATOR HALL OF FAME |
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Inducted 2007 |
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Mr. John (Coach) Checkovich was born in Coronado, California in 1941, and was the oldest of three brothers. He attended Annandale Elementary School and Annandale High School. In high school, he was a member of debate team, the track team, the football team, and manager of the basketball team. During his freshman year, he broke his leg playing football.
He graduated from Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC in 1965, where he was a member of the football team, managed the basketball team, played intramural sports, and was a member of Delta Sigma Pi Fraternity. His football career ended after two years when he broke his ankle. He also married his wife Lois in 1965. They subsequently had four children: John Paul, Jr., Michele, Ninya, and Alek. Checkovich started his teaching career in Dublin, Georgia in 1965, where he taught social studies and government. In 1966, he moved to Lexington District V, Chapin High School, where he taught social studies and science, and was Head Football Coach and Athletic Director. In 1968, Coach Check was hired by BC High School to teach science, social studies, drivers education, and chemistry. He was also to coach football, track, volleyball and wrestling. Coach started the BC wrestling team in 1970 and coached them for 33 successful years, winning many honors. His wrestlers won individual State Championships, Team Championships, places in both Mid-State and Upper-State, and ranked in the top ten teams South Carolina state teams 24 times. He was SC Wrestling Coach of the Year 3 times and Southeastern Coach of the Year once. He helped start the SC Wrestling Coaches Association, where he served as President, Secretary-Treasurer, and received their Service Award four times. Later Coach Check took over the volleyball team. Under his leadership, the team grew and achieved both Regional and Lower State Championships. The 2003 team won the State AAA Championship, and several team members have gone on to play in college. He was Region Coach of the Year seven times and SC Volleyball Coach of the Year once. In 2001, Coach Check received the Order of the Palmetto from Governor Jim Hodges. He received this award for his influence on his students and the members of all of his teams, along with his service to sports in South Carolina and his contributions to his community and the state. Brookland-Cayce has been honored to be a part of his career. At BC, he served under eight Principals: William Parrish, Paul Risinger, Ron Dillingham, Richard Summey, James Foster, Barry Bolen Alison Batten and Scott Newman. Checkovich made his own niche with students. To many, he was the father figure or the caring individual who gave them direction and discipline tempered with a keen sense of humor. His joy has been to have former students thank him for setting them on the right path for success in life. Through the years, his family changed, too. His wife Lois passed away in 1997, and in 2001, Checkovich married Jo Ann McKay. They have six grandchildren. Every summer the whole family spends time together at the Outer Banks, North Carolina. Jo Ann and Coach attend all the home USC basketball and football games, where they both work in the press box. They are active in Trinity United Methodist Church in Honea Path, where they now make their home. Coach Check's most rewarding teaching memory is hearing about students who were not at the "head of the class," but who have become productive citizens and are successful in life, giving him a feeling that he may have played a part in that success story. His most rewarding teaching experience comes when he sees students from the past who thank him for his guidance, care, and even a shove to help them achieve. One quote he recently received from a former student, "You pushed me--You kept me off the streets--Thank you!" What a priceless reward! His favorite challenge: "Always take great pleasure in achieving the thing that people tell you is impossible or that you cannot do—-no matter how big or how small." He has had that pleasure more than he can remember. |
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