OXFORD – Between teaching and coaching, John Curtis gave his all to the Oxford School District for more than 30 years. Now, four years after his retirement, a former student is spearheading the effort to recognize his contributions to the school and community by refurbishing the scoreboard at Blackhawk Stadium, and dedicating it in his honor.

Sarah Johnson, a 2001 graduate of Oxford Academy, said her former coach and teacher deserves the recognition.

“This dedication is really important because of how dedicated Mr. Curtis was to his students, student athletes, the community of Oxford and its members,” said Johnson, who had Curtis as a teacher and a coach during her Oxford career. She also worked for him as a lifeguard at the Oxford Pool, where he was the director.

“Mr. Curtis always had his students’ and athletes’ best interests at heart,” she said. And now she feels it’s time for those whose lives he has touched to give back.

Johnson, who teaches in the Schenectedy City School District, no longer lives in the area. But she continues to have close ties to the Oxford community her parents, Bill and Diane Troxell, still call home. She’s tapped into those connections to raise the $3,000 needed for the refurbishment and dedication of the scoreboard.

The refurbishment will be done by a Rochester business that specializes in such work, and it is the same company from which the district purchased the board nearly three decades ago.

To raise the necessary funds, Johnson is soliciting donations from the community, all of which will be deposited in a designated account at NBT Bank’s Oxford branch called the John Curtis Scoreboard Dedication fund.

“We have already received generous donations from Blueox Corporation, the Oxford Lion's Club, NBT Oxford and numerous members of the community,” she reported, explaining they already half way to reaching their $3,000 goal.

This weekend, she and others who have joined her in her efforts will host a chicken barbecue and bake sale this Saturday at the American Legion in Oxford, which they hope will help them raise the remainder of the money needed for the project.

“The barbecue will begin at 10 a.m. and will go until all of the chicken is gone,” she said.

Johnson’s efforts have not only attracted the support of former students and athletes, but of his fellow coaches.

“I think it’s a great idea,” said former Oxford Blackhawks head coach Tony Abbott. “John did so much for that athletics program.”

Abbott said Curtis was his assistant throughout the 27 years he spent as head coach. Together, he said, they had a total of seven league championships, of which three were undefeated seasons, and an overall record of 147 wins and 70 losses. They continued to work together for another seven seasons after Curtis assumed the head coaching job following Abbott’s retirement .