As Gazette Sports Editor Titus Mohler reported in last week’s edition, Charlotte County’s athletic landscape of the county has certainly changed over the past several weeks with the departure of Randolph-Henry High School (R-H) head varsity baseball coach and Central Middle School (CMS) head golf coach J.R. Allen.

In July, the Charlotte County School Board decided on a 6-1 closed-session vote to not approve the coaching stipend of Allen.

There’s been a great deal said about the situation across our community. That’s expected when an abrupt decision like this comes about associated with such a well-known person.

I’d like to thank Allen for his leadership on the field, his impact on the young people who’ve come through his program and for his dedication to sportsmanship and respect — which will last for quite some time through the youth he’s mentored and coached.

Allen had been a coach within Randolph-Henry’s highly-successful baseball program for 16 years.

In his five years as head coach of the Randolph-Henry varsity baseball team, Allen led the Statesmen to an 88-30 record. They have won 20 games in three of the past five years.

Enjoying perennial success in the postseason, the Statesmen have won three conference championships, two James River District titles, made one final-four state appearance and four regional appearances under Allen.

There’s no doubt that because of his dedication to the county’s young people, many have seen success they may not otherwise have experienced, and I thank him for what he’s done.

Allen didn’t say much when we contacted him regarding the situation.

“I appreciate the support that I’ve been shown through the community, coaches from other localities who have called and contacted me, I just appreciate all that,” he told Mohler.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Coach Allen has made a positive impact on the lives of countless young men through his teaching on and off the field.

And for that, I think him.

Jordan Miles is managing editor or The Charlotte Gazette. His email address is Jordan.Miles@TheCharlotteGazette.com.