It’s A Marathon, Not A Sprint

story by WENDY NIELSEN POLLITZER          photos by JOHN WOLLWERTH

There are people in life who walk on their God-given path to serve…not for self-gratification, but from the bottom of their heart. Herbert Glaze is one such person. A devoted teacher, a trusted coach and mentor, a community leader, a loving father, a loyal and faithful husband, and a hero to many, Glaze personifies the power of humanity.

Herbert Nathaniel Glaze was born in Burton, SC. The youngest of 12, he grew up in a close-knit community surrounded by the Christian faith in a family devoted to giving back. Always taught by his parents to be loving, caring, and honest, Glaze knew he wanted to pursue a career in community service at a young age. He graduated from Robert Smalls High School in 1968 and pursued a Bachelor of Science from Benedict College.

“My parents gave me the opportunity to go to college when my dad had only a first grade education, and my mom had a third. They taught me to always be respectful…that manners will take you where money can’t. We were poor, and I didn’t even know,” he proudly says.

While enrolled at Benedict College, he was appointed a 3-month internship at Spring Valley High School.

“I was assigned to observe Dr. Jacobs’ classroom. She gave me the reign after only three days. I’ll never forget she said, ‘We have a yacht. We’re not going to be able to go around the world, but we’re going to go as far as we can.’ I leaned more about teaching biology in three months at Spring Valley than I did four years in college,” smiles Glaze.

He accepted his first teaching position at Beaufort High in 1972 and has been carrying a brief case full of notes and memories ever since. While teaching, he received his Master’s Degree from Pepperdine University. He later wrote the curriculum for anatomy, physiology, and marine science to be taught at Beaufort High, all new classes in the County inspired by his internship at Spring Valley. He was a pioneer in the discipline of science in Beaufort County, but his true passion was educating the kids.
And for forty-nine years, that’s what Herbert Glaze has done. He’s served his community in the eyes of God, knowing that all things are possible. Next year, he will celebrate a half century at the same school he started teaching, his beloved Beaufort High School.

In 1976, Albert Jackson, the principal at BHS, asked Glaze to start the girls track program. He’s never looked back. For forty-five years, he’s coached hundreds of young women in the sport with the valiant creed, “pride and respect yields success.”

And that it has. In Coach Glaze’s tenure, he’s secured twenty-eight region championships, ten state championships and two state runners-up, won hundreds of invitationals, was South Carolina (SC) Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2015, and nominated for National Coach of the Year in 1989. Glaze was inducted into the SC Sports Association Hall of Fame in 2006, the SC Coach’s Classic Hall of Fame in 2007, and the Beaufort County Hall of Fame in 2008.

Glaze, however, isn’t motivated by the accolades as much as he is the success of his student athletes. Sixty-four female track athletes have received full scholarships under his leadership. Currently, seven are attending college, with three seniors in the Class of 2021 expected to receive scholarships and make commitments to schools soon. That success comes from exceptional leadership. And Coach Glaze tells his girls before each practice that “you can always be on the right track, but if you stay there, you’ll be run over. Don’t stay still!”

That sort of constructive guidance is truly taught by actions, not necessarily words.

“Well done is always better than well said,” insists Glaze as he explains his own desire to keep going.
Glaze has quite the resume of community service. He served on Beaufort County Council for twenty years, governing numerous programs and establishing Burton Wells Park. He is a member of the Sons of Beaufort Lodge #36, and a board member of both the Lowcountry Council of Governments and CPM Credit Union. He’s been voted Citizen of the Year by the Kiwanis Club and Delta Sigma Theta. But perhaps his most significant contribution to Beaufort is the founding of the 501c(3) for which he is CEO, Citizens Against Violence Everywhere, C.A.V.E.

“I was in the bed one morning around 3 or 4 a.m. I honestly don’t remember if I was sleeping or awake. It was probably the combination of both. I was in a cave. It was during prehistoric times. There were hieroglyphic carvings and drawings on the wall of harmony and peace. In the cave, everyone was smiling and happy. But outside of the cave, there were men with axes in their hands. There was violence,” he explains.

Glaze woke up with tears in his eyes and asked himself what he was going to do about it. That was 2008, when violence in the area was at its height, and shootings were taking place weekly. He founded C.A.V.E. with the mission to stop the funerals and save the children. He found counselors to work with elementary-aged children who were on track to “fail.” The intent was to educate the child so that he/she won’t be jailed as an adult.

“We want these kids to be productive citizens,” vowed Glaze.

Glaze met with Sherriff Tanner, County leaders, pastors, teachers, and more. Over 350 people attended its first meeting, and the fight to end violence began. Over the span of thirteen years, C.A.V.E. has become an umbrella to many initiatives, including D.A.V.E. (Demonstrate Against Violence Everywhere), S.A.V.E. (Students Against Violence Everywhere), and P.A.V.E. (Parents Against Violence Everywhere).

Recently, Glaze began another project intended to educate and inspire. With the support of Charity Summers, Beaufort High School’s principal, Glaze researched and established the Pillars of History and the Pillars of Success at Beaufort High.

“People don’t understand that Beaufort High is a product of three schools, Robert Smalls, St. Helena, and Beaufort High Schools,” as he gives details of the school’s history.

When the three schools merged into one after segregation in 1970, the name Beaufort High was chosen to designate the title of the school. However, the colors green and white were taken from Robert Smalls, and the mascot of the Fighting Eagle was taken from St. Helena.

“I wanted these kids to understand and know their school’s history,” he explains.

So Glaze produced graphics narrating each school’s legacy and started a wall to highlight community, state, regional and national leaders who were graduates of the new Beaufort High School.

“The students pass by it every day and learn a little something new. I am very proud of that,” he smiles.
On April 3rd, Beaufort High will host the 45th Annual Track Classic, and the day following, on April 4th at 1:30 p.m., the track at Beaufort High will be officially named the Herbert Nathaniel Glaze Track, honoring the model citizen who has bestowed grace, integrity, and wisdom to thousands of BHS students. A ribbon cutting ceremony led by Athletic Director Linc Lyles will take place, and the public is invited.

“You know, I love my job. I am here for the kids. I love talking with them, not at them. I want them to be productive citizens. In this walk of life, you must be benevolent,” smiles Glaze.

Herbert Nathaniel Glaze has been married to Brenda Brown Glaze for forty-six years. They married in 1975 after meeting at the National Guard Armory at a teacher meet and greet. Together, they have two children, Delmar Glaze (Tanya) and Diarra Drake (Nathaniel) and five grandchildren, Daejah Glaze, Aaliyah Glaze, Delmar Glaze Jr., Dalen Glaze, and Noelle Drake. He is truly blessed.