Photo: Belmont School’s Jim Davis who is retiring this year

Jim Davis who has been Director of Athletics & Physical Education for the Belmont Public Schools for nearly 20 years, is retiring, according to Belmont School Superintendent John Phelan in an email on Tuesday, May 11.

“After 36 wonderful years as a teacher, coach, and athletic administrator, it is time for a new chapter in life,” said Davis in an email to the Belmontonian.

“It has been my pleasure over the past 19 years to serve the Belmont Public Schools and the community of Belmont in the leadership role as the Director of Athletics ,Physical Education and Student Activities. During this span of time, relationship were born out of mutual interests and respect for one another. To me, this is at the core of what life is about,” Davis said.

For the thousands of students who have suited up in a Belmont uniform or whose only athletic activity was a “Phys Ed” class, for the past two decades, Jim Davis has been a steady presence in keeping all the moving parts of Belmont High School athletics operating like clockwork.

Davis was a constant supporter of interscholastic sports, patrolling the sidelines at events, traveling the state to follow athletes and teams competing in the post-season, and each year running and hosting the pre-Thanksgiving pep rally. He campaigned the school committee for increased support for athletics and the physical education curriculum in the elementary, middle, and high schools.

Davis’ time in Belmont began in 2002, after serving as the Director of Athletics & Physical Education for the Nashua (NH) Public Schools, with a stint with the Salem NH  Public Schools as a teacher coach before becoming the school district’s Director of Athletics & Physical Education. He began his career as a teacher for the Timberlane School District in 1985. Davis received his Bachelor of Science from Plymouth State College and his Masters of Education from Fitchburg State College.

Davis is also well known in Massachusetts interscholastic circles as a mentor and leading voice on policy and procedure among his fellow educators, serving on the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association board of directors and past president and a member of the executive board of Massachusetts Secondary School Athletic Directors Association. In 2008, Davis was named one of eight individuals across the US as a recipient of the NIAAA Distinguished Service Awards for outstanding contributions to interscholastic athletics.

“I have been truly blessed for having had the opportunity during my tenure to lead, guide, and mentor a  coaching and teaching staff that is deeply passionate about their profession and craft, but most of all are student-centered and teaches life lessons. You are family in every sense of the word. This culture is and has made this time so very special,” he said.

Davis gave a special thank you to the Community of Belmont , the Belmont Boosters, all the Belmont High School Friend’s of Groups, and the countless others that have given their support over the years. “Words of thanks can’t begin to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for all that you have done and continue to do to support our student athletes,” he said.

“As one chapter closes and a new one begins, with hope and optimism, I want to thank you all for enriching and blessing my life and the lives of all of our students and athletes,” said Davis.