- April 24, 2024
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“It’s hard to believe I was 2 years old when he started here,” said Lori Koplin, about Plemon “Coach” Hill, part-time recreation leader at Nova Community Center, 440 N. Nova Road.
Coach Hill has been providing leadership and encouragement to youth at the center longer than many people can remember. He recently marked his 40th anniversary.
Koplin, recreation center coordinator, said he’s a mentor not only to the kids, but to her also, because of his experience.
“I like having him here,” she said.
Hill, 75, was a physical education teacher at Ormond Beach Middle School for 37 years, until 2006. The gymnasium at the school was named after him.
Even after 40 years, Hill still comes up with new ideas. Robert Carolin, Leisure Services director for the city, said Hill initiated the summer basketball program, where the youth choose up their own teams
“Kids can walk in and get on a team right and play away,” Carolin said. “It’s unique and it’s been very successful.”
It may be continued year-round, Carolin said.
Hill said kids love the summer program because they can compete in teams in regular games, rather than just shoot hoops.
“If they think you don’t care, they take the same attitude.”
Coach Plemon Hill, recreation leader
Hill has been at the center since it was a warehouse-type building with fans instead of air conditioning.
“It was very difficult when it was very cold or hot,” he said. “But we survived it.”
While some schools are cutting back on physical education, Hill emphasizes its importance.
“Kids need to have an outlet for their energy,” he said.
Physical education teaches children to follow instructions, play on a team and allows them to grow in skill development, he said. All of this helps when they go on to the high school level.
Encouragement is important, Hill said. As he tells the kids, they don’t know if they can do something until they try.
He enjoys seeing students make progress, and it’s rewarding to see them laugh and have fun, especially if they had been “all grouchy.”
Young people have changed over the years, he said. He said they are now smarter and know all about computers, but some can be a “challenge,” regarding discipline and showing respect.
“It takes time and encouragement,” he said. “We let them know we care about them. If they think you don’t care, they take the same attitude.”
