By Sarah Templeton, Pine Whispers
With a 26-year legacy as athletic director at RJR, a family of Reynolds graduates and more than 45 years living in the school’s zone, Jim Spivey is a household name to most Demon families.
This Friday (May 15), Spivey’s name will be known to even more people as he joins the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County High School Sports Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place at the Benton Convention Center at 7 p.m. The nine other inductees chosen by the Winston-Salem Sportsman Club are former RJR basketball star Sam Kennedy, Patricia Gainey, Mike Grace, Jeff Denny, Vierl Banks, Ronnie Sebastian, Andrew Kennedy and Charles Williard. The award is given to select “persons who have achieved the level of excellence in sports as participants, administrators, journalists and special supporters,” according to the program’s website.
Spivey is certainly qualified for the honor. Out of his 45 years as a teacher and coach in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools system, 28 were spent at RJR. He retired at the end of June in 2012. In 2013, he was named to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s “100 Administrators to Remember” list as part of its centennial celebration.
Both of Spivey’s sons graduated from Reynolds, along with his wife, Laura. His wife passed away just over one year ago. She could be found attending many sporting events and ceremonies with Spivey during his long tenure. One of his sons, Jay, was a sportswriter for Pine Whispers and is currently a sportswriter for the Winston-Salem Journal.
While Jim Spivey was considered an excellent coach and athletic director, he is perhaps best remembered for the personal connections he made with students. He frequently encounters former students in places like restaurants, the mall and downtown Winston-Salem.
“I don’t forget many students. Maybe I’ve forgotten a name, but I don’t forget much about them,” Spivey said in a conversation with Pine Whispers earlier this week. “It’s just amazing to see how people mature and grow up in a period of time.”
Spivey said these connections were one of his favorite aspects of his years spent at Reynolds.
“Looking back on it, I realize it more and more every day — the interaction with the students and faculty was the best part of it all,” Spivey said.
This year’s graduating seniors are the last students to have had Spivey as either an AD or teacher. Students described him as an open book who always had a story to tell.
“He knew all of his students and had a relationship with everyone he met,” senior Eliza Hopkins said.
Another trait Spivey is well known for is his avid love for the school.
“I can remember I went to state athletic director meetings and when people asked where I was from I would say ‘R.J. Reynolds High School.’ I would never have to tell anyone where it was; they knew where it was,” Spivey said, laughing. “I was proud to represent Reynolds.”
“You could tell he was really invested in Reynolds,” Hopkins said.
Or as Spivey puts it, “I know the heartbeat of Reynolds. I bleed black and gold.”
Have a favorite Jim Spivey story? Please share it in the comments below!
Cheryl Spivey • May 15, 2015 at 6:49 pm
In the 38 years I’ve known “Mr. Spivey”, no matter where he is, people know him! In Atlanta at Braves games, Olympics and Marta trains- Hey Coach! Even flying across the “pond” to England, yeah, Coach Spivey is the best!!
Congratulations Jim!