HUNTERSVILLE – Joe Haney, a Denver native, was named SouthLake Christian Academy’s director of athletics on July 16.
Haney coached baseball last season at Southside Christian School in Greenville, S.C., after working nearly 22 years in sales management at Cintas Corporation. He replaces Rich Landis, who resigned in March to take a coaching job at North Raleigh Christian.
Haney is an East Lincoln High alum, where he played football and baseball.
“I’ve always had a calling to work with student athletes, and I have always been intrigued with the possibility of athletic administration,” Haney said. “I am now seeing a longtime passion coming to fruition.”
Wayne Parker, SouthLake’s head of school, said Haney’s appointment marks a shift in philosophy concerning the position of director of athletics.
“We are transitioning to a collegiate model, where the director of athletics is a functioning manager of coaches – athletically, and also spiritually,” Parker said. “As a result, Haney will not coach, as he focuses his time on managing, training and discipling his coaches.”
Landis coached football and baseball at SouthLake, in addition to his athletics director duties.
Haney played varsity baseball at Wake Forest University and has been coaching at Southside Christian School, Parker said.
“It’s actually his managerial skill set that makes him a natural for heading the athletic program at SouthLake,” he added.
Haney said he’s looking forward to investing in young athletes.
“As a Christian you are able to make an impact in the business world, but it will be more direct here,” he said. “I’m excited about that opportunity. Certainly it will be a challenge translating from working with business employees to students and coaches. But you still provide a service. Parents want good customer service.”
Local flavor in East-West All-Star games
GREENSBORO – Hopewell High graduate Shareé Boyd, a Wingate University signee, had a game-high 12 rebounds to help the West team beat the East 82-65 in the annual East-West All-Star basketball game at Greensboro Coliseum on July 16.
The all-star games in three sports include the state’s top high school seniors.
In the boys soccer match, Hough’s Jaron Bradley was the winning goalkeeper in the West’s 3-2 victory against the East at UNC-Greensboro on July 17. Bradley made one save. Forward Nathaniel Goodwin, also a Hough graduate, started for the West.
Hough forward Allison Stearns and midfielder Hannah Robinson played in the girls soccer all-star game, but neither scored in the 1-1 tie. Taylor Waters (Lake Norman High) assisted on the West’s second-half goal.
North Mecklenburg receiver Terrence Clyburn was scheduled to play in the football game Wednesday, July 18, at Jamieson Stadium.
Smith hired as Hough basketball coach
CORNELIUS – Jason Smith has been hired as girls basketball coach at Hough High. He replaces Gary Richmond, who retired after last season. Smith most recently was an assistant coach at Wingate University.
Post 321 eliminated from playoffs
HUNTERSVILLE – The Huntersville American Legion Post 321 baseball team lost its second-round series against Shelby Post 82 in the Region IV playoffs, ending its season with a 17-5 record.
Post 321, made up mostly of players from Hough High, forced a fifth and final game against Shelby, but lost 10-4 on July 13. Post 321 won Game 4 of the series, 9-1, behind pitcher Hunter Conley’s four-hitter. Jared Sobo had six hits in the final two games for Huntersville.
Shelby Post 82 advanced to a third-round series against rival Cherryville.
Register for Charter football camp
HUNTERSVILLE – Lake Norman Charter will host a Young Knights football camp for rising fifth- through eighth-graders July 23-26, 6:30-8:30 p.m. daily. Lake Norman Charter’s coaching staff will host the camp, which is open to players from any school. The camp costs $100, which includes a T-shirt. For more information or to register, email Coach Bob McKay at bmckay@lncharter.org
Register for Lake Norman
Youth Football combine
DAVIDSON – The fifth annual Lake Norman Youth Football Combine will be held Monday, July 23, to July 26 from 6-8:30 p.m. daily at Davidson Day School. Details and online registration are at www.lknfootballcombine.com.
Davidson Day represents Carolina
Panthers in national event
INDIANAPOLIS – Davidson Day advanced to the round of 8 in the 32-team NFL National 7-on-7 football tournament, but was eliminated when the Detroit team scored with 11 seconds left in their quarterfinal matchup.
Davidson Day beat Atlanta (Stockbridge High) and New Orleans (West St. John High) in the first two rounds. The Patriots were representing the Carolina Panthers because they won the 7-on-7 event at the Panthers practice facility last month.
Davidson Day was the first team from the Carolinas to beat Atlanta and the first to win a second-round playoff game. NFL Films produced a show on the event that will air on the NFL Network on August 19.
Several Davidson Day players are high on recruiters’ lists. Receiver Jordan Young was offered a scholarship by Cornell, receiver Aaron Seward was offered a scholarship by Carson-Newman and offensive lineman Schuyler Coleman was offered a spot with Coastal Carolina.
Punt, Pass and Kick set for Aug. 25
HUNTERSVILLE – The NFL Pepsi Punt, Pass and Kick football competition will be held Aug. 25 at 9 a.m. at the Huntersville Athletic Park, 11720 Verhoeff Drive.
The event allows boys and girls ages 8-15 to showcase their talents in punting, passing and kicking with scores based on distance and accuracy. Top finishers from each of the eight age groups will advance to a sectional competition. There is no cost to participate. Birth certificates are required for registration. Cleats are not allowed. For information or to register, call 704-766-2220 or email bbenshoof@huntersville.org.
– Compiled by Cliff Mehrtens
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