After 13 years with the Watauga Junior Athletic League, serving as president for the last seven years, Jason Russell will be stepping away from his post.
Russell first became involved with the WJAL when he began coaching. He would later become commissioner over the Hampton Youth League before going on to be president over the WJAL as a whole.
According to Russell, the league plays a crucial role in the lives of local youth.
“It is really important,” said Russell. “It keeps kids off the couch. It keeps them busy and occupied. It keeps them away from all of the bad stuff that is out there now. It is really good for them to get out there and meet other people.”
In 2004, Russell took over the president’s role after Kenny Clifton who had served for ten years.
“He’s done a great job,” said Russell. “I watched him all the way through it. He pretty much handed it over to me, and I took it from there.
“It is important for us to keep a good, strong league going because we have people coming in from everywhere. And it is so important for the kids.”
The WJAL is over youth leagues at Hampton Cloudland, Johnson County, Elizabethton, Happy Valley, Science Hill, David Crockett, Morristown. This year, the WJAL had 45 teams competing with around 20 players on each team equating to roughly 900 kids. The whole league had roughly 250 coaches.
Next season, Elizabethton’s Keith Bowers will be stepping into the WJAL President role.
“He is a great guy,” said Russell. “I think he will do a great job with the communities and kids. I think he is a great fit for it.”