James Monroe High School athletic director and football coach Rich Serbay has targeted the end of February for his return after knee replacement surgery and a frightening battle with gout.
The 56-year-old Serbay, who has coached at JM since 1982, had his left knee replaced Jan. 8.
That procedure went well and he was released from the hospital Jan. 12
However, just five days later, Serbay was suffering with a 103 degree fever and he couldn't lift his left elbow.
His son, Sammy Serbay, and assistant coach Val Folden rushed him to Mary Washington Hospital, where he was diagnosed with gout--a form of arthritis that causes sudden pain, swelling, redness and stiffness in joints--in his left elbow.
"That was the worst pain I've ever been in," Serbay said in a telephone interview on Monday. "I wouldn't wish that on anybody."
Serbay remained in Mary Washington for eight days before he was released this past Friday. He'll receive visits from a physical therapist every other day until Feb. 6.
"She's tougher than a football coach," Serbay said of his therapist.
Serbay's knee surgery was his second in the past two years. At this time last year, he had his right knee replaced.
Despite the recent health woes, Serbay said he has no plans of slowing down in the immediate future.
He gave up coaching baseball last season, but said he plans to remain JM's athletic director and football coach for at least five more years.
JM assistant athletic director Mary Crismon has taken over Serbay's duties in his absence.
Alumni game in works
James Monroe graduate Andre Catlett and Keep It Positive Entertainment are in the process of arranging a basketball game among former Battlefield District stars of the past 15 years.
The game will feature former boys basketball players from the Spotsylvania County schools (Courtland, Chancellor, Spotsylvania, Massaponax and Riverbend) against players from James Monroe, Caroline, King George, Orange, Louisa and Culpeper.
Catlett said the game was scheduled to take place Feb. 24 at Spotsylvania High School, but has been tentatively pushed back to March 1 just in case a district school is still alive in the Region I playoffs.
He said admission will likely be $8.
Catlett has already received commitments from former JM stars Harvey Thomas, Trell Washington and Trey Dabney.
Ex-Caroline standouts Damian Woolfolk and Gary Jones have committed, as well as Lamont Waddy (Louisa) and Keith Pendleton (Courtland).
Catlett said those who played more than 15 years ago will be allowed to coach and participate in the 3-point shooting contest.
"Everybody always say when they played, they were the best," Catlett said. "We thought it would be a good idea to see who really is."
Big Apple awaits Waller
Courtland junior girls track and field standout Monae Waller took first place in the semifinals of the high jump at the Colgate Women's Games at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y., this past weekend.
Waller, who jumped 5 feet, 2 inches, will compete in the finals at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
The winner of the competition will receive a $500 scholarship.
Taft Coghill Jr.: 540/374-