Lexington One District Athletic Director (DAD) David Bennett is on the forefront of the changes in student athletics.
Since the position was created for Bennett in July 2016, the number of DAD positions has doubled in the Palmetto State from 10 to 20. They all now meet annually in the fall for a round table discussion during the Athletics Director’s principal conference.
His work includes overseeing projects which have resulted in refurbished softball and baseball facilities at Lexington, Gilbert and Pelion high schools.
“I think it’s important for our kids that they have the best facilities,” Bennett said. “Not only pretty, but safe. When we went out to Pelion, there was work that we needed to do with their baseball field along with the softball field and they’ve got the adjoining hitting facility.”
Bennett is a former high school and college head football coach. Now he oversees the sporting lives of close to 27,000 students and more than 600 coaches at 30 elementary, middle and high schools.
“My job in athletics is that we get the best coaches, we keep the best coaches and we bring in the best coaches,” he said.
Over his 3 seasons on the job, the district has produced state champions in golf (Lexington), wrestling (River Bluff) and softball (White Knoll and Lexington), and region championships in football, volleyball, basketball, boys lacrosse, soccer and tennis.
