Crenshaw Christian Academy in Luverne has made two new hires that board chair SalLee Sasser-Williams said will “be shining lights on what we need for our kids.”

Becky Baggett has been named school administrator and Wayne Grant will be the school’s athletic director, head football and girls’ softball coach.

“At Crenshaw Christian Academy, we have established a tradition of excellence,” Sasser-Williams said. “We were looking for leaders that would not only help develop our students in the classroom, but in extracurricular activities as well. We found those leaders in Becky Baggett and Wayne Grant. They both have strong Christian values and we are excited about the vision they have to continue Crenshaw Christian’s tradition of excellence.”

Sasser-Williams said Baggett and Grant were at the top of list of potential hires for the open positions.

“We had wanted to hire Coach Grant several years back but were not able to,” Sasser-Williams said. “We are very fortunate to get him this time. It is exciting to have someone who believes in the kids and the program, someone who cares about winning and about molding kids into young men.”
Sasser-Williams said the Crenshaw Christian family has known Baggett and her husband, Ken, for many years.

“Crenshaw Christian Academy is different from most schools in that we have daycare that begins at eight weeks,” she said. “Becky is a strong Christian, a strong leader and a dedicated and experienced educator. She is exactly what we need at this time.

“Crenshaw Christian is fortunate to be able to have her and Wayne Grant as we move forward in a tradition of excellence based on biblical principles.”

Baggett and Grant are not strangers to each other. Back during their school days, they rode the bus to Goshen together. Both are looking forward to renewing that friendship in the workplace.

“I’m excited about being at Crenshaw Christian,” Baggett said. “The parents and students have been most welcoming and are appreciative of my being here. I love the smaller school atmosphere. When you walk in the door, there’s a visual presence of God and you know immediately that the school was formed on His principles. I will do my best to make Christian character a big part of CCA.”

Grant has been meeting with the football players, getting to know them and being involved with the game of football again after three years away.

“It feels good to be back,” Grant said. “I had a battle with cancer and, now that I’m cancer-free, I’m ready to be back in coaching. And it feels just like it did. I’m doing the same things and doing them the same way. They worked before and, hopefully, they will work at CCA. The kids are working hard and are enthusiastic. I’m happy to be back. It feels really good.”

Baggett is a Pike County native and has always wanted to teach in an effort to make a difference in young lives. She taught in the Montgomery public schools for 25 years, at Ashford Academy for 10 years, and at Pike Liberal Arts School for 7 years.

Grant won five state championships at Pike County High School in Brundidge. He has received coach of the year honors 10 times and is a member of the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame.