Coming from a middle school, new Newton High School Principal Eclan David may not have much experience with prep sports, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t eager to see his first Rams’ game coming up this fall.

David will lend his support to NHS athletes both in the hallways and on the field, eager to put on the blue and white at Sharp Stadium.

"Of course I’m going to be there supervising, but of course I’ll be there cheering the students as well," David said. "I don’t think you’ll see me in pom-poms, but at the very least you’ll see me in Newton High spirit wear."

David attended both Carver Road Middle School and Griffin High School games while in Spalding County, and developed a fondness for high school football, building on his fandom already.

Growing up in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, David didn’t play many high school sports. However, after he came to Georgia, earning an M.Ed. degree in educational administration and leadership from West Georgia, his interest in sports, and especially football, picked up.

"I’m a huge sports fan," David said. "I’m a huge UGA Bulldogs fan and Atlanta Falcons fan. Football is definitely my favorite sport."

David also knows about Newton’s basketball tradition and its recent winning ways with both the Rams and Lady Rams.

"I’ve heard more about their basketball team than football team," David said. "I know there has always been a winning tradition at Newton High School and with the recent hire of coach (Terrance) Banks, I expect to see Newton High back in the spotlight for football. But, I’ve heard (the boys’ basketball team has) done a good job in terms of being in the playoffs…and I know the girls’ basketball team has been pretty consistent.

"There’s a lot of things for the students in the community to be proud of."

David wants the community to not only be proud of the Rams’ sports teams, but also the student athletes themselves. He said he wants to prepare the Rams for a future in college, as athletes and as students.

"Two things that are very important are making sure that our students are being true student-athletes – we want to prepare our students for the next level; and, in addition we want to make sure our athletic program is building a positive school culture, regardless of if it’s the middle or high school level."

That positive culture extends to students themselves, who he will treat the same whether they are athletes or not, he said.

"They can definitely expect the same treatment as any other student," David said. "They can also expect to have a principal who’s very supportive of their athletic efforts. I think it’s our duty to support our students when they’re doing something to help put our school in a positive light.

"Whenever they’re on the field, they’re representing me, Newton High and the entire community, and I’m going to be behind them 100 percent."