Editor’s Note: Athletic Director Mr. John Chambers will retire this May after 45 years at Brophy.
This article originally appeared in the April 1983 edition of The Roundup when Mr. Chambers became the new dean of students. It appears below as originally printed except for minor revisions.
By Paul Smith
THE ROUNDUP
The all-too familiar crackle of the P.A. resounds through the classroom instantly bringing total silence-or as close to silence as it ever gets in a Brophy classroom–particularly on the first day of school cowering in your seat with fear and trepidation, eeking out a quiet prayer that the man causing the crackle does not call your name. But wait. The voice is not as well known as the static, but it soon will strike the same horror into the minds of the guilty.
Filling the present position of Mr. Fred Campisano next year will be Mr. John Chambers.
But what will Mister Campisano do? you might ask. For those who have no idea what is going on in the school: Fr. Eugene Growney, S.J., will be principal; Mr. Campisano will be vice principle; and Mr. Chambers will be dean of students, thereby eliminating the strain on Mr. Campisano’s disciplinary duties and allowing him to attend to the myriad other responsibilities now involved in the job. The all-new title of Dean of Students will be dubbed on today’s biology and anatomy teacher Mr. John Chambers.
Now that all title changes have been cleared up, it is likely you have the question “Who is this guy?” lurking in the deepest depths of your mind. Then again, maybe you don’t. Mister Chambers, known to some as Coach, is a fourteen-year veteran of Brophy. Since his arrival in 1969, fresh out of ASU, he has two present classes, along with coaching varsity basketball. A native of Arizona, Mister Chamber is married and has two daughters.
Why, with his present security, would Mister Chambers want to forfeit his teaching to take on a demanding job of disciplining over 1000 students? “There are.” he avers, “basically three reasons why I wanted the job. First, I felt it was time for a change. Secondly, I wanted to get involved in the administration. And third, I think it is important to get involved in things that should be done here at Brophy.” Fortunately for the students, our new Dean can still be nicknamed “Mister C,” or, to eliminate confusion with the original “Mister C,” “Coach C” or “Dean C” might be more effective, though less aurally pleasing.
Possible changes in policy to be instigated by Mister Chambers and Brophy’s other new administration include revision of the dress code (stricter, not easier. Sorry, guys!), a new outlook on parking to alleviate present car cramps, and a general attitude of neatness. Dean Chambers stressed that by correcting minor things such as the dress code and the litter difficulty a greater feeling of pride in Brophy and what it stands for will be elicited. This will, he hopes, lead toward the sense of unity and school spirit some feel is now lacking and continuing to erode until action is taken.
“I find the job to be a challenge, but a positive one,” said Coach Chambers. He continued on to say that he hopes to treat students “fairly and as individuals.” One could make the comparison that the school is now Coach Chambers’ court and the students are the players. A neat and orderly team intimidates the opponent and impresses the audience. There is no doubt that Mister John Chambers is the man to guide the students down the “court” and slam-dunk the basketball of discipline.
