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President's Message

Leadership, Legacy, and the Coaches Who Built Both

“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”— Jackie Robinson

Roswell is a city rich in tradition, and nowhere is that more evident than on a Friday night under the lights. But this week at Roswell Rotary, we bring the gridiron to the stage.

At this week’s meeting, we have the honor of welcoming five legendary Roswell High School football coaches to our club—Ray Manus, Tim McFarlin, John Coen, Pete Poulos, and Wayne Smith. These men are more than coaches. They are mentors, motivators, and master builders of character and community. Between them, they’ve shaped generations of young men and women, built championship programs, and earned the respect of a town that knows what true leadership looks like.

Coach Ray Manus, the namesake of the very field where so many Roswell victories have played out, is a cornerstone of Hornet history. Tim McFarlin brought home a state championship and taught discipline through excellence. John Coen’s hall of fame career built a legacy led with heart and humility with compassion for his students. Pete Poulos’ hard-nosed perseverance influenced players long after the final whistle. And Wayne Smith’s commitment to football and wrestling built character and left a permanent mark on the programs. Together, they represent decades of coaching brilliance and a collective influence that goes well beyond the scoreboard.

Their presence reminds us that leadership is not just about titles or wins. It’s about legacy—the kind that comes from showing up every day with integrity, investing in others, and leaving things better than you found them. Great coaches, like great Rotarians, understand that their success is measured not only in trophies but in the lives they impact. 

“A coach will impact more young people in a year than the average person does in a lifetime.” — Billy Graham 

As Rotarians, we, too, are called to that same kind of leadership. Whether we’re organizing a tournament, mentoring a student, or funding a local project, we are planting seeds that will grow into something far greater than ourselves. The coaches on our stage this week didn’t just lead teams—they built a culture. And that’s what Rotary does at its best. We lead with vision, we serve with heart, and we build legacies that stand the test of time.

This week’s program is not just for football fans—it’s for anyone who values commitment, mentorship, and the power of investing in others. It’s a reminder that the principles that make a great coach are the same principles that make a great Rotarian: humility, service, consistency, and love of community.

Let’s pack the room this Thursday and show our appreciation not only for the wins these men brought to the field—but for the values they instilled in our community. Bring a guest, bring your stories, and bring your gratitude.

“A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.”— John Wooden

Leadership and legacy. Let’s celebrate both.

Sic Vos Non Vobis,

Trummie Lee Patrick III
President, Roswell Rotary Club
“Service Above Self. Tradition Beyond the Game.”

Friday Night Legends: Roswell’s Hall of Fame Coaches Take the Stage

Football season is just around the corner, and we have the perfect way to get ready! An ALL STAR football lineup of legendary Roswell coaches is taking the stage for an unforgettable event. With over 200 years of collective coaching and teaching experience, these hometown heroes will be bringing laughter, wisdom, and behind-the-scenes stories to life. From rapid fire questions (“Worst ref call?” anyone?) to deep reflections on legacy, leadership, community, and culture, the Roswell Coaches Panel promises surprises, laughs, and powerful insights.

Featuring Roswell High’s own Coach McFarlin, Coach Coen, Coach Poulos, Coach Smith, and Coach Manus. Club President and 1994 RHS grad, Trummie Lee Patrick III, is thrilled to welcome you…so invite your friends and let’s pack the house!  Join us Thursday, July 31st from Noon–1:30 PM at Roswell Area Park’s CAB Building for this can't-miss celebration, hosted by the Roswell Rotary Club. $20 for visitors includes admission and the best fried chicken in town. 

Coach Tim McFarlin

Coach Tim McFarlin’s legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of Georgia high school football. Starting his career at Roswell High in 1981, he poured his heart into not just football, but multiple sports including basketball, baseball, track, and golf. When he stepped into the Head Football Coach role in 1998, he turned Roswell’s program into a powerhouse, capturing the 5A State Championship in 2006 and earning Coach of the Year honors. His passion and perseverance laid the groundwork for a coaching journey that would span over four decades and inspire countless athletes and fellow coaches.

From 2011 to 2020, Coach McFarlin elevated Blessed Trinity’s football program to new heights, leading the Titans to three consecutive State Championships, 2017, 2018 and 2019 an extraordinary feat matched by only a handful of coaches in Georgia history. He wrapped up his coaching career with Fellowship Christian, where he added two region titles to his name. With an overall head coaching record of 216-60-2 and 11 region titles, McFarlin earned his place as the winningest coach in North Fulton County history. Coach McFarlin was inducted into the Roswell High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2024 in honor of his 30 years of coaching and “always be about doing all the right things that lead to a meaningful life”.

Now in his third season as Georgia Tech’s Director of High School Relations, Coach McFarlin continues to impact the game he loves, fostering relationships across the state. A founding member of the Georgia Football Coaches Association and long-time member of the Roswell Rotary Club for 30 years, Tim’s influence stretches far beyond the field.

 Coach John Coen

 Coach John Coen’s relationship with Roswell High School spanned six remarkable decades, making him a cornerstone of the school’s legacy. As a student athlete from 1967 to 1972, he earned seven varsity letters across football, baseball, and wrestling, and was an integral part of multiple state championship teams. His dedication to sports and academics continued after playing football in college, and he returned to Roswell in 1977 and served in multiple roles, teacher, coach, administrator, and athletic director, until his retirement in 2017.

During his coaching career, Coen left a lasting mark on Roswell athletics. He led the baseball program for 20 years, winning the 3A State Championship in 1986 and recording more than 265 career wins. His mentorship helped more than 40 players reach the collegiate level and several assistants achieve coaching success of their own. In football, he coached for four decades and contributed to championship-level teams, including the 2006 State 5A Champions and back-to-back state runner-up squads in 2015 and 2016. His role also extended to the wrestling program, where he coached alongside Hall of Fame member Coach Wayne Smith.

Beyond wins and titles, Coach Coen's greatest contribution may be his unwavering commitment to the spirit of Roswell High. As an educator in Political Science, Law, and Economics, and sponsor of the Model UN team, he shaped students far beyond the field. Inducted into the Georgia Dugout Club Hall of Fame in 2024 and the Roswell High School Athletic Hall of Fame, Coach Coen embodied the motto he lived by: “Once a Hornet, always a Hornet.” His legacy is one of excellence, mentorship, and heart.

 Coach Ray Manus

Coach Ray Manus, Roswell High Hall of Fame inductee, is a name that resonates deeply within the Roswell High School community, having devoted over four decades to shaping young athletes and building championship programs. From 1966 to 2007, Coach Manus poured his energy and heart into Roswell athletics, becoming Head Football Coach in 1975 and leading the program for 23 seasons. With a career record of 141-101-1, he guided the Hornets to victories in all three of their State Championship seasons, 1968, 1970, and the milestone 2006 title in the state’s highest classification, Class AAAAA. He also helped secure seven Region Championships, a testament to his leadership through eras of tremendous growth and competition.

But Coach Manus’s impact extended far beyond the football field. As Head Coach of Girls Basketball, he steered his teams to two State Tournament appearances in the early ’70s, and as Boys Golf Coach, led Roswell to a Class AAAA State Championship in 1990 and two consecutive runner-up finishes in 1992 and 1993, along with mentoring three Individual State Champions. His dedication earned him selection as an All-Star Coach three times in Georgia’s prestigious North vs. South All-Star Football games. Then, as Roswell High’s first Athletic Director from 1990 to 1999, he oversaw a thriving sports program and was named the Georgia State Athletic Director of the Year in 1994-95, a reflection of his tireless commitment to excellence.

To honor his extraordinary contributions, the Fulton County Board of Education named the school’s stadium “Ray Manus Stadium” in 1994, a gesture that captures his legacy in brick and mortar. Coach Manus didn’t just build winning teams; he built character, traditions, and a lasting spirit of community that still echoes through the halls and fields of Roswell High.

 Coach Pete Poulos

 Coach Pete Poulos is a name synonymous with dedication, toughness, and heart in the Roswell High School community. Beginning his coaching career in the mid-1960s in Atlanta, he arrived at Roswell in 1970 and immediately became an integral figure across football, basketball, and baseball programs. Named Defensive Coordinator in 1975, he held that position for three decades, coaching in 448 games and helping guide the Hornets to two State Championships (1970, 2006), seven Region titles, and developing future NFL and Super Bowl champions. Even after stepping down, Poulos continued mentoring student-athletes until 2014, marking 45 total years of coaching service.

His coaching resume is not just defined by wins, but by influence. Across 29 years in JV basketball, his teams collected six North Fulton Championships and helped shape generations of young athletes. On the baseball diamond, he contributed to a state title in 1971 and led the team to sub-region championships as head coach. Most remarkably, Coach Poulos helped pave the way for future MLB stars Mike Ramsey and Tony Phillips. In total, he coached more than 1,400 games in three sports while also guiding Roswell’s Social Studies Department as Chair from 1978 to 2000, balancing leadership in athletics and academics.

Coach Poulos’s legacy was officially etched into the landscape of Roswell High when the practice field next to Ray Manus Stadium was named in his honor in 2014. The following year, the City of Roswell proclaimed April 19 as “Ray Manus and Pete Poulos Day,” celebrating two of the school’s greatest contributors. Coach Poulos is a Roswell High Hall of Fame member. Known for his hard-nosed coaching style and ability to forge meaningful relationships with students, Pete Poulos remains a treasured figure. His mentorship, discipline, and accountability helped define what it means to be a Hornet.

 Coach Wayne Smith

Coach Wayne Smith’s remarkable legacy at Roswell High School spans decades of commitment, leadership, and mentorship across multiple sports. A native of Alpharetta, he began his career in Fulton County schools in 1975 and has since accumulated over 46 years of service. At Roswell, he coached football for 32 years, primarily the offensive line and special teams leading the Hornets to 17 playoff seasons and a celebrated State Championship in 2006. His 31-year tenure as head wrestling coach produced 281 dual meet victories, seven county championships, nine runner-up finishes, and 20 state placers including two GHSA individual champions. Smith earned both the Gene Collier Memorial Award and the Gene Collins Award for his exceptional contributions to Georgia wrestling.  Coach Wayne Smith was inducted in 2023 to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame with the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award.  

Beyond the mat and gridiron, Coach Smith made a lasting impact on Roswell’s track program, serving as head coach for boys’ track from 1977 to 1981 and girls’ track from 1981 to 2006. His leadership brought home six Fulton County titles and helped 32 girls qualify for state-level competition, including a state champion and multiple top three finishes. As Roswell’s Associate Athletic Director from 2003 to 2010, he oversaw various programs and led the wrestling team to a regional championship in 1985 and runner-up in 1986. He also organized summer wrestling camps for the Roswell Schools Foundation for 12 years and was recognized as Region Coach of the Year in 1985 before being inducted into Roswell High’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016.

Today, Coach Smith continues to shape young lives as Associate Athletic Director at Cambridge High School in Milton, GA, a role he has held since 2012.

 Coach John Thompson

Fellowship Christian School’s head varsity football coach, John Thompson, boasts an impressive resume spanning nearly four decades, with coaching stops at major collegiate programs including Ole Miss, Florida, Arkansas, South Carolina, and Southern Miss. He also held the head coaching reins at East Carolina from 2003 to 2004 and later became the inaugural defensive coordinator at Georgia State under legendary coach Bill Curry. Since joining Fellowship in 2021 under former coach Tim McFarlin, Thompson has played a pivotal role in shaping the Paladin defense and mentoring student-athletes.

In addition to his new role on the sidelines, Thompson continues to serve as Fellowship’s College Athletic Recruiting Coordinator, guiding athletes toward collegiate opportunities both on and off the field. Athletic Director David Lowery praised Thompson's leadership, work ethic, and strategic expertise: “Coach Thompson has earned the respect of players and fellow coaches… The players believe in him and his ability to game plan for our opponents.” Thompson's experience and deep ties in the football community.  He's helped usher more than 40 players to the NFL and positions Fellowship for continued success both within Region 8-2A and across the GHSA landscape.

Roswell Rotary Board Spotlight
Katie Tucker-Board Secretary

Prior to marrying Greg Anderson, Katie had ten years of being her girls' proud mom, Katie Tucker underwrote commercial real estate loans for Regions Bank. She is now a loan officer for E Home Loan Advisors, a small company based here in Roswell.

Family consists of their 3 daughters, Mary Katherine (senior at Roswell HS planning to attend Kent State University next year to play lacrosse); Annalee (junior at Roswell HS) and Carolina (8th grader at Crabapple Middle School); 2 stepsons, Brady (a recent Florida State grad) and Austin (a sophomore at East Tennessee State).

An inveterate reader, mainly non-fiction and self-help, Katie graduated UGA with a BBS in International Business. Leadership activities consisted of roles in her sorority Kappa Delta, the Greek system, campus life and in the Athens community.

Joining Roswell Rotary in 2019, Katie’s Board service began as Membership Chair, followed by Social Chair, Treasurer, and now as Secretary during her sponsor Trummie Lee’s Presidency.

Ironic Facts:  With three sprint triathlons to her credit, athletic Katie grew up in East Cobb, where she played tennis alongside her three younger brothers at Lassiter High School.". She met husband, Greg, a Florida State alum and tennis player, while playing tennis! However, given all that nurturing advantage, none of their children has adopted the sport!

July 31 6pm
Join Youth Services Committee at Variant

Join the most fun committee in Roswell Rotary—Youth Services! We’re meeting at Variant Brewing on July 31 at 6 PM. Come sip, chat, and share your awesome ideas as we plan big things for our youth. Bring your energy, questions, and good vibes. Let’s make it happen! 

Interact-Those interested in talking about Interact 2025-26, please stay a bit longer after the meeting on Thursday to better understand several new opportunities that are available. 

And check out the Youth Stories featured in the August 2025 Issue of Roswell City Lifestyle. One on Page 56 Huskies Helping Huskies and one on Interact Page 62. 

Hagan Cup Expands 2025
Tennis & Pickleball Focus

Seeing a need for a community fundraiser, Roswell Rotarians Frank Brown, Judge Maurice Hilliard and former Mayor of Roswell Aubrey Greenway began a golf tournament in 1978.

In 2013, the Hagan Cup Classic tennis tournament was added to the fundraiser. It was named after Bob Hagan, in honor of his service to the community and his deep commitment to Rotary's motto of Service Above Self. Today, the tennis and golf tournaments continue to support the charities in North Fulton communities and generate over $300,000 a year. The tournament attracts large and small business sponsors as well as individuals in North Fulton looking to make a difference in the areas in which they live and do business.

New for 2025, the Hagan Cup Classic is adding Pickleball with the introduction of the Trummie Lee Patrick Sr. Pickleball Tournament in memory of our beloved club past president. We are excited to add this popular and fun racket sport to the Hagan Cup Classic!

Tennis

Pickleball

Volunteers Make the Tournament Run

Past President Nancy Alterman is the Committee Chair for 2025 G&T Tournament Volunteers. As this Energizer Bunny will tell you, nothing is more rewarding than volunteering for the G&T Tournament! You will meet people, have fun socializing with the players, sponsors, and your fellow Rotarians, and you will also build relationships on a deeper and entirely different level! You might be the person who saves the day by running to buy more beer when we get low. Or the volunteer carrying bags of ice to coolers to make sure everyone is hydrated on the course. You could be part of the team hanging up banners and prepping for the event. Or one of the very important take down team who sticks to it and helps to put everything away for next year even though you are worn out and exhausted from a full day.

There is something for everyone, so please look over this sign up genius and volunteer for a slot (or more).

Click here for Sign Up Genius

QR code to volunteer

No limit! For questions, reach out to Nancy Alternan nancyhalterman8@gmail.com 

New for 2025 Tournament- 50/50 Raffle

Swing, Serve & Smash for a Cause — And Win Big with the 50/50 Raffle!

Roswell Rotary’s annual Golf, Tennis, and Pickleball Tournament is right around the corner, and this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever! Mark your calendars for a full day of friendly competition, fellowship, and fundraising — all for a great cause.

But the excitement doesn’t stop on the course or court. Be sure to grab your tickets for our 50/50 Raffle, where one lucky winner will take home half the pot! The other half goes directly to support Roswell Rotary’s service projects — from local youth programs and scholarships to international humanitarian aid. The more tickets we sell, the bigger the win for both the lucky ticket-holder and the community.

 50/50 Raffle Tickets:

You do not have to be present to win — but trust us, you won’t want to miss the fun!

All proceeds benefit the life-changing projects supported by Roswell Rotary. Come out and play, cheer on your friends, enjoy great food and fellowship, and support the good work we do in Roswell and beyond.

Message from Huskies Helping Huskies (HHH) Leadership, Tamika Bond & Kristi Glickman:

Thank you, Roswell Rotary Club, for the 42 stuffed backpacks you provided to our Crabapple Middle School students in need.  This backpack is not just filled with the required & requested school supplies, but also community love, support, and awareness too.  This pack gives our students who struggle to get to/from the store or those who may not have the budget for all of the required supplies the confidence to start the 2025-26 school year strong. Attendance & Attention are the key factors to not only learning but also fully living in the chaotic middle school years.  

We thank you who purchased the items, stuffed the supplies and transported the completed backpacks.  We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Rabbi Alex Shuval-Weiner, Priya Crumpton, Darrell Bartlett and Becky Nelson.  

Last Week at Rotary

CLICK HERE for link to AJC Article