FOUR QUESTIONS…A CONVERSATION WITH REGGIE PEACE
Reggie Peace is the men’s head basketball coach and athletic director at Lee Senior High School in Sanford. He teaches advanced physical education and weight training at the school and also is currently serving a four-year term on the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Board of Directors.
He has coached at Greensboro’s Ben Smith, Northeast Guilford, Southeast Guilford and Ragsdale. Reggie has also been active in the North Carolina Coaches Association, serving as president and is very involved in his church.
Q: What are the biggest changes you’ve seen in high school athletics during your career?
A: Students and parents have changed, along with technology. There is so much information out there now, you have to work harder to earn the trust of parents and players. Communication is the key, along with everyone knowing your program’s expectations.
Q: What is your best memory of high school athletics personally, from your own involvement in them? You have coached some outstanding teams during your great career.
A: My two state runner up teams in 1995 and 2003 are my best memories. The young men on those teams were so connected and the games were so similar it’s scary.
The 2003 team also had my son on it, and coaching my son was such an awesome experience. I know that some coaches find it is hard to coach their sons, but my son and I have always had a close relationship. He had been in the gym with me and my teams since he was an infant, so he understood what my expectations were for my players. Having an opportunity to compete for a state championship created special memories for us. Even though it has been 12 years and now my son is a father, we still have those memories and we are looking forward to sharing those memories with the next generation.
Q: What is the hardest thing about being your school’s athletic director when you are also trying to direct your own basketball program?
A: I am always asking myself if I am cheating one or the other. These are such awesome responsibilities, and I want to do both to the best of my ability.
In a lot of ways, becoming athletic director has challenged me to improve my time management skills and my organizational skills. I really enjoy mentoring young coaches and developing relationships in the community that can support our athletic programs. One of the challenges that comes with the position is operating a successful athletic program that requires a collaborative effort of the community, businesses, industry, hardworking coaches, student athletes, parents, and the school administration. Since there are so many “moving parts” it is sometimes difficult to put all the pieces of the puzzle together, but we get it done.
As a basketball coach, normally when the season is over, the spotlight is no longer on you. However, as athletic director, the end of one season simply means the beginning of another. The continuous scheduling and use of time always requires energy and patience to make sure the job is done, and done well.
Q: In your limited spare time, what are some of the activities you are involved in away from athletics?
A: My faith, family, kids and grandkids are very important to me. I spend a lot of time mentoring kids at White Oak Missionary Baptist Church, where I am blessed to serve as a deacon.
My faith and my family– wife, Jeanette, children RJ (Carly) and Jenee’, and grandkids (Treyce, Julian, and Carter) are very important to me. They are my biggest supporters and I always make time for them. I also spend a lot of time mentoring youth and young adults at White Oak Missionary Baptist Church where I serve as a deacon, usher, and men’s ministry leader.
