Staff report

SALISBURY — The Catawba College Chiefs Club has reached 610 members for this school year, according to Jeff Childress, the college’s associate athletic director for athletic development.

Childress, also the director of the Chiefs Club, said that the organization reached 500 members in each of the last two years. This year’s goal is 750 members.

“Our Chiefs Club just continues to grow with more support from our former student-athletes, local business listing, and the hard work put in by our Chiefs Club board of directors and our athletic coaching staff,” said Childress. “We are excited about the growth, as 610 members are very impressive from where we were three years ago. We’ve added 200 new members so far this year — which is absolutely incredible.”

Catawba’s basketball teams begin play on Friday, and Childress believes that will add to more interest and possible new Chiefs Club members.

The Catawba Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, a Chiefs Club event, is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 15.

Another club event, the First Pitch Dinner, a baseball program fundraiser, is set for Jan. 25. Marty Brennaman, recently retired Cincinnati Reds broadcaster, will be the keynote speaker.

Brennaman has ties to Catawba, as one of his first radio jobs was in Salisbury, covering the college’s sports, as well as American Legion baseball in the 1960s.