To the world he is known as George the Animal Steele, a WWE legend who passed away in February this year at age 79. In Madison Heights he is known as Jim Meyers, a coach and teacher so revered the football field is named after him.
Now, Madison District Public Schools is looking to do something huge in his honor.
“He was a teacher and a coach here and he also overcame dyslexia,” said Randy Speck, Madison District Public Schools Superintendent. “He overcame learning disabilities to go on and be a teacher and a coach and a mentor.”
Speck is announcing the Jim Meyers Kindergarten to College Fund. He is working to collect private donations to raise $60,000 to start it out. With the money raised the district aims to put $100 per year into a college savings account.
“We want to say from kindergarten all the way through college or career training, we as a school district are going to walk along side you and help you achieve your dreams,” said Speck.
The plan is to start out helping current elementary students and expand in the future. Studies show such programs increase the odds children go to college.
It is something people who have met Jim Meyers, AKA “The Animal”, believe he would fight for.
“I think he would think that people who are committed to these kids and this school community, that it is something to invest in. I think he would get on the phone with people. i think he would say go to the website and give because you aren’t just doing something that will help for a couple months. It is a generational game changer and that is what we are trying to do here,” said Speck.
