Natchez High School Interim Athletic Director Sekufele Lewanika used to admire his current school from afar.
While long-time Natchez track and field coach Henry “Doc” Woods was in the midst of his run of 19 state championships, Lewanika thought of him as his coaching role model.
“If you could beat them, you were good,” he said.
Lewanika said Natchez High athletics have shown that they might be taking steps toward a similar dominance in the near future.
Natchez girls basketball tasted the sweet victory of a state championship in the 2014 and 2015 seasons. The Natchez baseball team demonstrated it could be on the up-and-up after a MHSAA first-round playoff berth in 2016.
Most recently, the Bulldog track and field team took home individual state titles in boys and girls long jump, while consistently finishing in the top-10 in several other events.
Lewanika said Natchez High is packed with athletes with great potential, and he said the key is developing that potential at a young age.
“Good programs start early,” Lewanika said. “You can start to play tennis, for example, when you’re in high school. Every program we have has to start early.”
Lewankia is a former athletic director and state champion track and field and cross-country coach with experience coaching basketball and soccer as well.
He is also not a newcomer to Natchez. His current position in the school district is related to his relationship with Superintendent Fred Butcher.
Lewanika was formerly a principal at Natchez Freshman Academy while Butcher was the principal of Natchez High. For now, Lewanika said his role as interim director is to help an old friend.
“I’m here to help Mr. Butcher in any way I can,” Lewankia said. “Athletics is an important part of our program, and I want him to be at ease so he can concentrate on other things.”
Lewanika said he wants to leave his mark on the Natchez athletic program by ensuring athletes are focused on academics, and their athletic ability will take care of itself.
Lewanika also wants his administration to emphasize transparency in the Natchez athletic department.
“This year we’re trying to bring credibility,” he said. “People need to know what we’re doing, and they’re welcome to ask questions.
“We realize the kids are the fundamental, they’re the future.”
As for Natchez football, Lewanika said it won’t be long until programs around the state are talking about head coach Roy Rigsby and his Bulldogs the same way they talk about other top programs.
“We’re still young, we have a new coach,” he said. “Once everybody buys into the system, it will be good.”