HARPER SELECTED AS HICKORY HEAD FOOTBALL COACH, ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
HICKORY—Tom Harper has been named the new head football coach and athletic director at Hickory High School, according to a press release from the Hickory City Schools.
Harper was chosen from among 60 applicants. Harper, 47, was approved by the HPS Board of Education on Monday night during a closed session meeting. He is currently the head football coach and athletic director at Alexander Central.
“Coach Harper has the background, organizational skills, motivational skills and experiences needed to lead a successful football program and athletic program,” said Dr. Walter Hart, superintendent, Hickory Public Schools.
“Every single one of the many, many references we talked to gave glowing comments about his coaching, his mentoring of all young people and the positive impact he makes on the total school environment. Coach Harper wants to compete for championships; he understands that championships are won based on hard work, high expectations, planning, organization, integrity and character,” added Dr. Hart.
Harper believes that high school coaches are called to build winners for life. “I believe that if you instill in our young people the values of discipline, loyalty, hard work, character, passion and integrity…if you make that the foundation and focal point of your program, then the winning will take care of itself,” said Harper.
Harper will serve Hickory as the athletic director and head football coach. Additionally, he will coordinate field maintenance, after-school weight training, and he will serve as an instructor of physical education during regular school hours.
The new Hickory coach led Alexander Central to 26 wins during the past three seasons and to its first conference championship in over 27 years, served on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Coaches Association as well as the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association. He is a member of the North Carolina Football Coaches Association, the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and the USA Weightlifting Association.
Among his many honors and awards, Harper was selected as a member of the West coaching staff for the NC Coaches Association East-West All-Star Football game in 2011. In 2009, Harper was awarded the Carolina Panthers’ Coach of the Year. During the same year, he was selected as the Northwestern 3A/4A Football Coach of the Year. In 2007, Harper was the recipient of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Regional Citation Award and in 2006, Harper was also awarded the NCHSAA “Eight Who Make a Difference” Award.
“We found a great coach,” said Ann Stalnaker, principal of Hickory High School. “We have found someone with a wealth of knowledge and experience regarding football, but also someone with the ability to build student-leaders from student-athletes. We have found someone who will continue to help make a positive change at Hickory High School.”
Harper, who led Alexander Central to 26 wins during the past three seasons and to their first conference championship in over 27 years, served on the Board of Directors for the NC Coaches Association as well as the Board of Directors for the NC Athletic Directors Association. He is a member of the NC Football Coaches Association, the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and the USA Weightlifting Association.
Among his many honors and awards, Harper was selected as a member of the west coaching staff for the NC Coaches Association East-West All-Star Football game in 2011—and the west won the game. In 2009, Harper was awarded the Carolina Panthers’ Coach of the Year. During the same year, he was selected as the Northwestern 3A/4A Football Coach of the Year. In 2007, Harper was the recipient of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Regional Citation Award and in 2006, Harper was also awarded the NCHSAA “Eight Who Make a Difference” Award.
