Whether it is the early mornings as the head custodian at Flat Rock Middle or the late nights coaching sports, Tracy Latimer is dedicated to giving back to kids.
He’s up before 5 a.m. and arrives at the school before 6 to get the day rolling. He’s often the last person leaving, too, when he’s coaching. It doesn’t stop during the summer either because that is the busiest season for the custodians. They have to get all the floors clean and furniture moved around for the fresh start ahead.
With a crew of four, Latimer makes sure everything is good with the building so the Eagles are ready to learn.
“I have an amazing crew,” he said. “We put our heads down and try to do our best to keep it being a safe, clean environment for the students and teachers.”
Coming back to school was a long way from his plans for much of his life. A multi-sport athlete, Latimer was a star prep pitcher who was drafted by the New York Yankees coming out of high school in Florida.
Many legendary pros visited the team for practices and shared tips to improve their game. Those selfless acts inspired Latimer to pay it forward.
“We were blessed to have guys from the Major Leagues come to our practices and give us tips,” he said. “They didn’t have to do that. They reached back and helped us. I’ve always felt like that made me a better player.”
While playing college ball, he found a new focus. He joined a dance group with his brother, and that would grow into national tours and morph into the chart-topping hip hop group No Good.
Music brought him a lifetime of unbelievable memories, like touring with huge acts and meeting icons from his childhood. Through all the fame, he made sure to keep the fans first.
“We never wanted to act like we were better than the next person just because we were on TV,” he said. “Coming from where we came from, we never let the success get to us because, at the end of the day, without the people you’re a nobody.”
Music isn’t the main thing anymore, but it will always be a big part of him. He occasionally appears on other people’s records, and he’s always drawn to attend concerts.
“I love music. I love the art of it.”
He was ready to shift away from the business, and working with kids was natural choice. His mother was a teacher and a school administrator. His brother, Sandy Creek High assistant principal and athletic director Geimere, was at Flat Rock then, and he’d been trying to get Tracy to head north for a while.
“Life goes on,” Tracy thought. “It was time to step back into the real world.”
Athletics and competition have always been in his blood, so it remains a way for him to give back. He helps kids throughout the day as a custodian, but he really relishes working with them as a football, baseball, and basketball coach. Seeing kids fall in love with sports and take it as far as they want brings him his most joy.
“I really get to put my imprint on them through coaching,” he said. “I had people that poured back into me, and I know what that meant to me.”
Music and sports brought him a lifetime of experiences and lessons he’s happy to share to speak positivity into the lives of students.
“You can be whatever you want to be in life, and I’m a prime example,” he said. “You don’t have to just stay gathered into one box, you can be whatever you want to be.”
Latimer loves the family atmosphere at the school.
“I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Here at Flat Rock we have an amazing administrative staff. We have an excellent staff of teachers,” he said. “I can honestly say I wake up in the morning and it’s a privilege to come here to work.”
“The Honor Role,” an official podcast for Fayette County Public Schools, features employees, rotating through key stakeholders, including teachers, staff, nurses, custodians, cafeteria workers, and bus drivers. Join us as we dive in and learn about their journeys, their inspirations, and their whys.
Episodes are available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and promoted on the social media channels of Fayette County Public Schools.
Episodes will also be available here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2200811.
Posted 5/13/2025
