Former Lee County High School baseball coach Charlie Spivey has been selected as a 2021 inductee into the N.C. High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame.
Spivey, who retired in 2017, called the recognition “very humbling” in a call with The Rant Wednesday, saying he’s heard from many colleagues, former players, and friends since the announcement.
“It’s blowing me away the love and appreciation I feel,” Spivey said. “I was so blessed to be able to teach and coach. I knew I’d never be a professional in any sport. I always knew I wanted to coach and teach.”
In addition to his 36 years as head baseball coach at Lee County High School, Spivey also coached football and basketball at various times in his tenure. He also coached for three years at Scotland County from 1977 to 1980 before returning to his alma mater.
In the announcement, the NCHSAA referred to Spivey as “a pillar in his hometown of Sanford and the baseball community for decades.”
Spivey was the quarterback of Sanford Central’s (now Lee County High School) 1973 3A State Championship football team, but he fell in love with baseball. After playing in his hometown, he eventually went on to play for the University of North Carolina under legendary Tar Heels Coach Walter Rabb.
Spivey crafted a career out of coaching at his alma mater, Lee County High School where his teams won more than 500 games and a pair of State Championships. Spivey’s Yellow Jackets claimed the 4A State Championship in 1996 and 2001. His teams also reached the Regional Finals in 2011 and 2015. He has seen success not only on the high school level, but as an Assistant Coach for USA Baseball in 2008, 2009, and 2011 helping to lead the 16U USA Baseball team to a Gold medal. Spivey was elected to the NC Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2017.
The Class of 2021 features four coaches – along with Spivey is Susan “Susie” DeWeese from Asheville, Jonathan McKee of Greensboro who is being inducted posthumously, and Bob Vroom of Hubert, North Carolina and Swansboro High. The Class of 2022 highlights four exceptional coaches and several long-time administrators – Danny Anderson from Granite Falls, Harold Robinson of Williamston, Hal Stewart of Garner, and Ruby Sutton from Kinston and Laney High School.
The selection and presentation of the Class of 2021 was delayed due to COVID. Due to the extended delay, the Association will hold a banquet for both the Class of 2021 and the Class of 2022 on August 20, 2022, at the Embassy Suites in Cary.