Balow returns as Plant track coach

Posted Nov 7, 2011 by Bill Ward

Updated Nov 7, 2011 at 04:55 PM

Shawn Balow, who left Plant High as a teacher and boys track coach last June to accept a job in Brooklyn, N.Y., with the YMCA, has returned to the school in both capacities.

“It (the job in Brooklyn) was everything I though it would be and my bosses were great but what brought me back was my kids at Plant,” Balow said. “It absolutely pulled at my heart every day I was gone.”

While in New York, Balow said several Panthers athletes, including Antonio Crawford, Wesley Bullock, Kyle Groh and Parker Diehl remained in contact with him. After several weeks of wrestling with the decision, Balow, who took a leave of absence from his job with the county school system in case he changed his mind, returned to Tampa.

Fortunately for Balow, a position opened at Plant for him to make it back on the Panthers’ staff. And since the track job had not been filled while he was away, Balow, who guided Plant to six district crowns in his eight seasons as boys track coach, was able to resume those duties, too.

“I feel extremely fortunate to not only be back in Tampa, but to be back at Plant,” Balow said. “The kids here are special and I feel like this is where I belong.”