Sevier's Lamb earns Character Award

December 12, 2008

Vanderbilt University football coach Bobby Johnson shook his head and smiled prior to beginning his speech at the Potential Youth Foundation Coaches 4 Character Series at the Carolina First Center Thursday night. 

After listening to Sevier Middle School principal Karen Kapp extol the virtues of eighth-grade student Taylor Lamb he was amazed.

"Congratulations Taylor, that is a fantastic award," said Johnson. "For a principal to be able to get up and say all those kind of things -- my principal didn't know my name." Lamb was selected for the Greenville News Coaches 4 Character award after being nominated, then selected, by the Sevier staff. 

"One of the most difficult things teachers ever have to do is choose one stellar individual," said Kapp. "But I will tell you when it cam down to our faculty, in a closed ballot. Taylor Lamb stood head and shoulders above all candidates who had been recommended for this award."

​Lamb, and eighth grader, is an honor roll student who is taking advanced classes. He is an active member in his youth group at Brushy Creek Baptist Church, who also plays basketball and baseball at Sevier. He was a member of the Wade Hampton High School C-team football squad. 

​Lamb, the son of Furman University football coach Bobby Lamb and his wife Allyson Lamb, admitted to being shocked when discovering he would  be the recipient of the award. 

"I went to the Principal's office and saw my mother in there," said Taylor. 

"I thought I must be in trouble. I had no idea I was even up for the award. It was really a surprise."

In addition to his academic work and leadership both at Sevier and in the community, Kapp also praised Lamb's level headedness. 

​"Even though Taylor Lamb has had opportunities ties that many young men do not, been places and done things that many young people may never do, he has never lost sight of who he is, what he is and who he wants to be," said Kapp. 

The elder Lamb served as an assistant coach with and under Johnson at Furman, then replaced him as head coach when Johnson went to Vanderbilt. 

By: Willie T. Smith III -- Greenville News