From staff reports
Catawba’s field hockey program has been terminated.
President Dr. Craig Turner, Vice President for Athletics Tom Childress and AD Dennis Davidson met with the squad this week and informed student-athletes their athletic scholarships would be honored if they chose to remain at Catawba.
The major factors in the demise of the program are rising travel costs and scheduling difficulties. Catawba played only three home games this year. Few D-II schools in the South field programs in the sport, and Catawba has to travel long distances for games.
“It is a sad day when you are faced with losing a program that has had such a rich tradition,” Davidson said. “However, it no longer makes financial sense to maintain the program. It is not a very rewarding experience for student-athletes, nor is it good business for Catawba to have just three or less home games each year.”
Head coach Adrian Gantt, who played for Catawba, understands the frustration of scheduling.
“As the coach and as a former player I am sad about this decision, but I understand it completely,” she said. “Considering the circumstances, this is the appropriate decision.”
Catawba field hockey has roots back to the 1930s, and coach Pat Rice Whitley built a dynasty in the 1960s.
Catawba was 5-9 this year, its 15th consecutive losing season.
Catawba still offers 17 sports. All except men’s and women’s swimming and men’s lacrosse compete in the SAC.
n Soccer playoffs
Salisbury plays at home against East Lincoln in a third-round 2A soccer match at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
Both Salisbury (22-1-1) and East Lincoln (18-6-1) are conference champions. Salisbury was knocked out of the playoffs in the second round by East Lincoln in 2007. The Hornets reached the West final in 2008 before losing to Shelby.Eight teams remain in the 2A West bracket, including six No. 1 seeds.
Also still alive is the favorite, top-ranked Forbush, which was relegated to a No. 3 seed because of forfeits. Forbush has already beaten two No. 1s on the road.
If Salisbury beats East Lincoln, it would play the winner of the Shelby-Cuthbertson matchup. Cuthbertson is brand new school in Waxhaw. That fourth-round matchup would likely be scheduled for Saturday.
n In 3A, two SPC teams have reached the West’s Elite Eight.
Concord plays at Marvin Ridge in a third-round matchup, while Robinson plays host to Charlotte Catholic.
n Football playoffs
Reserved parking for Salisbury’s first-round playoff game against East Burke will be available in the school office from 8-4 through Friday.
Spaces are limited and will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The cost is $3. Questions should be directed to the school office at 704-636-1221.
n South Rowan is pre-selling tickets for Friday’s home playoff game against R-S Central from 8-3 in the school office on Thursday and Friday.
The cost is $7.
Fans who purchased season passes can come by to pick up their tickets. They will retain their reserved seats.
n Carson fans traveling to Ledford for Friday’s playoff game in rural Davidson County can use the following directions provided by athletics director Jim Grkman.
Take I-85 North. At the split just south of Lexington, take Highway 52/Business 85 North. Stay on Business 85 through Lexington and past Davidson County Community College. Take the Highway 109 exit (Winston-Salem-Thomasville). At the top of the ramp, turn right onto Highway 109 North. Go 4 miles until you see Ledford Middle School. Turn left at the stoplight in front of the middle school onto Old Greensboro Road. Take the first road to the right (Friendship-Ledford). Go down the hill and take a right onto John Green Road. The school is on the right.n GARS outing
Seventy GARS members played golf at Asheboro Country Club on Monday.
Low ‘A’ Flight player was Don Bishop with a net of 64.94. Low ‘B Flight player was Jim Bain with a net of 70.37. Low ‘C’ player was Dick Hatoway with a net of 66.0. Low ‘D’ player was J.C. Hilton with a net of 70.64.
n Overseas basketball
Terris Sifford (West Rowan) scored 21 points for his Italian team on Sunday.n Baseball clinics
Baseball clinics will be held at Pfeiffer’s indoor training facility on Saturday, Dec. 12. The clinic for elementary and middle school children is from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The clinic for high schoolers is from 1:30-5 p.m. The cost is $70.
Instructors include Pfeiffer head coach Mark Hayes. Players will receive a camp T-shirt, and spaces are limited.
n West baseball camp
West Rowan Winter Baseball Camp will be held on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10-2 at the West field.
The camp is for ages 8-13.
Pre-registration cost is $25. Walkups the day of the camp will be accepted for $35.
Checks should be made payable to West Rowan Baseball. For information, contact coach David Wright at wrightdc@rss.k12.nc.us.
n Catawba tennis clinics
Catawba Junior Tennis Clinics continue until Thanksgiving on Tuesday evenings, Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons.
Call or e-mail to let coach Jeff Childress know you are coming.
Clinics are $10 each.
To register or for questions contact Jeff Childress at 704-637-4265 or Jchildre@catawba.edu.
n Pfeiffer athletics
Brittany Dickens and Abbie Ovbey had 11 kills each as Pfeiffer swept Barton in the first round of the Conference Carolinas volleyball tournament on Tuesday.
No. 2 seed Pfeiffer (21-11) plays host to No. 3 seed Limestone at Merner Gym on Friday night.
n North Hills
The North Hills Middle boys basketball team defeated the Davidson County Homeschoolers 47-3 on Tuesday.
Luke Humble had 14 points for North Hills, while Leonard Murdock had 12.