Coach Josh Barge and Coach Brent Krieg
What are you doing on March 15, at 7:30 a.m.?
Plan on joining friends and family at Red Mountain High School for the inaugural 5K Run (square root of 25) in honor of Steve Rushing, a gentleman dearly missed by the students who loved having him as their math teacher and girls’ golf team coach.
In April 2013, Coach Rushing passed away suddenly. He left an empty hole in the lives of many people, including the many colleagues he taught with for more than 25 years. In fact, he was one of the teachers who opened Red Mountain High School in 1988.
“He was a great dude,” Coach Brent Krieg said. “He was well loved by all the students. He talked to students, and made a point of letting them know he cared about each one as a person. He always was inquiring about their interests and always encouraging them in whatever endeavor they were undertaking. People flocked to him. He was an all-around wonderful man.”
After his passing, track Coach Krieg and Coach Josh Barge decided to establish a 5K run in honor of Coach Rushing, and include a scholarship for the Red Mountain students. Planning began, and with support of the administration, a course was created around the Red Mountain campus, which includes running past Coach Rushing’s classroom. Running stores were contacted, and the dream of a 5K run became a reality.
How can you support this important run? Coach Krieg is looking for corporate sponsors, donations, vendors, volunteers and timers, as well as any support to make this morning a success.
The cost is $25 in advance, or $35 the day of the race. The fee includes a nylon drawstring backpack, complete with the Red Mountain logo. All ages are welcome. You can walk the course, run the course, and cheer in the stadium, while enjoying the event’s festivities.
See you at Red Mountain High School, on March 15, to honor a man who gave his all for the students of Red Mountain High School. “Coach Rushing wouldn’t want it any other way,” Coach Krieg said. “Why are we running if we are not running for the kids?”
For more information, contact Coach Krieg at (480) 308-5616. You also can go to bkrieg@mpsaz.org or www.mpsaz.org/rmhs. Click on Athletics, Teams and Track and Field, where there will be a link for the run with all the information needed for registration.