Bryan County High School Athletic Director Ron Lewis, who previously was named 2007 Region 3-A AD of the Year, was named Tuesday as the Class-A AD of the Year for the state of Georgia.

There is an old cliche that says a manager is only as good as the people he or she has working under them. Lewis describes himself this way.

Though he may not exactly be operating in the business world, these words ring loud and clear for Lewis, the tenured 10 year athletic director for Bryan County High School.

"I didn’t win this award as much as our school did," Lewis said. "People want to look at me as the catalyst, but it’s a team effort all across the board. It’s our school, our administration, our coaches, our parents and our students. When you surround yourself with good people, then good things can happen."

Lewis was recognized and presented this award at the Georgia Athletic Director’s Annual Association conference held on Tuesday at the Savannah Desoto Hilton. Having seen teams from football, baseball, softball, tennis, track and cheerleading reach the state playoffs from Bryan County High, Lewis says that it feels good for Bryan County to get statewide recognition such as this, but said he ultimately knows what this award is really about.

"This award is about the kids," he said. "Whenever you put the kids first, as we do here at Bryan County, then good things are going to happen to your school, and I am not talking about just in terms of wins. In my time here, I have seen how our athletic programs here have helped these kids go on to become mature and productive members of this community."

Lewis said he puts developing relationships with his coaches and students first, and the running and overseeing of the athletic programs "just happens to be what I get paid to do."

"It is Ron’s love and passion for Bryan County and this school that stands out above the rest," BCHS Principal Harold Roach said. "It is more about how Ron treats people that makes our programs a success."