Thursday, April 25, 2024
The renaming of two district athletic facilities after a teacher and coach was approved by the Gatesville ISD Board of Trustees.
The junior high main gym will soon be known as the GJHS Mary Bishop Gymnasium.
A new athletic field house will be known as the Jack Maxwell Athletic Complex. The current field house will continue to be known as GHS Henry Marris Field House.
Mary Bishop began her teacher career in 1970. In 1972, she began teaching health, PE, teen leadership and coached as well at Gatesville ISD. Bishop became a much-admired fixture at the school until her retirement in 2002 after thirty years of service.
Even after her retirement, Bishop would come back and drive a bus. Coach Bishop impacted the lives of her students – this was especially true for the athletes that she coached.
In a school evaluation of Bishop, Greg Hines wrote, “You are always very positive and supportive of your students and try to encourage them at every opportunity.”
Long-time teacher and coach, Jack Maxwell, attended Gatesville ISD for his entire public-school education. He participated in all sports from grades 7-12 with football and track being his primary sports.
After serving in the U.S. Army, Maxwell attended Sam Houston State University where he graduated in 1970 with a B.S. degree in physical education with a minor in Biology.
In 1973, he returned to GISD as a teacher and a coach. Known by the students as “Happy Jack,” he would primarily teach junior high science and coach football and track.
Coach Maxwell would retire having served in education for over 50 years.
Photo filed: Teachers honored
Photo caption: Two coaching legends, Jack Maxwell and Mary Bishop
