Assistant Principal Mr. Joshua Vinson has been doing a lot of multi-tasking over the past month. 

He was named the school’s new athletic director in mid-May, replacing Mr. Hal McManus, who left mid-year. While he does not officially start the new job until July, he has been trying to learn as much as he can about running the sports programs while also trying to finish up his academic administrative responsibilities.

“I’m trying to still live in two worlds,” he said.

He said while he has enjoyed his time here as an assistant principal for the past six years, his love of sports and desire to stay at Socastee made the AD job the perfect opportunity. He has a daughter, Olivia, who will be a senior here and another daughter, Victoria, who will be a freshman.

“I have no desire to leave,” he said, “and I love sports. I’m pretty much at all the ballgames anyway, so it seemed like a logical option.”

Before coming to Socastee, Mr.Vinson lived in North Carolina. He earned a degree in history and political science from the University of North Carolina Charlotte. After college, he went to work as a history teacher at South Rowan High School, where he had been a student. 

“I tell people I liked high school so much I went to work at my school,” he said. 

He stayed there for 13 years, coaching football, basketball and golf, and eventually became the school’s athletic director.He worked as an assistant principal at Western Middle School before coming to Socastee.

Vinson’s goals when he fully takes on the AD position in July include: 

–Updating the school’s athletic facilities. This includes pressure washing the stadium, installing a new track, and painting the ticket booth. 

“I hope there are a lot of things that people can actually see, some real tangible things and hopefully get the community on board with,” he said. 

-Getting more students involved in sports. He wants to spend time at the elementary and middle schools, as well as create youth sports camps. 

“I want kids growing up wanting to be a Brave soccer player, Brave cheerleader, Brave football player, Brave softball player,” he said. 

He also wants to increase the number of seventh and eighth graders on the B and JV teams.

-Embedding a more persistent positive attitude in athletes. 

“Just because we’ve not been successful in a sport, doesn’t mean we can’t be successful,” he said.

Principal Mr. Jeremy Rich is excited for Mr. Vinson to overtake his new position.

“Mr. Vinson’s leadership and commitment to Socastee High School will serve our athletic department very well,” he said, “His ability to communicate with everyone will allow him to build strong community relationships and sponsorships.”