High Point Christian chooses Hayworth as new softball coach
BY MICHAEL LINDSAY
ENTERPRISE SPORTS WRITER
HIGH POINT — Lin Hayworth knew that High Point Christian is where he’s meant to be.
After careful consideration and prayer, Hayworth, most recently an assistant coach at Ledford, agreed to become the Cougars’ new head softball coach. He replaces Jeremy Cecil, who had a successful tenure highlighted by winning the 2013 NCISAA 3A state championship.
“It just sort of all seemed right,” said Hayworth, following a meeting with players and their families Monday at the school. “We talked about it and obviously a lot of praying was involved. But I feel like it’s where God wants me and it’s where I’m supposed to be.
“I wish the season would start next month,” he said. “It’s just in me. Every coach that coaches at this level, that’s what it is — it’s a part of you.”
Hayworth, who graduated from Ledford, where he played baseball and basketball, has coached softball at a variety of levels over the last 30 years. He’s coached at East Davidson as a J.V. coach, as an assistant at North Davidson under Mike Lambros and as an assistant at Ledford under Charlie Brown. He’s also coached a number of other teams including the DC Thunder, alongside Cecil, and Carolina Attitude.
So, when Cecil, whose daughter, Lindsay, was a key member of HPCA’s teams through 2015 and whose son, Tanner, is a rising senior on the baseball team, stepped down, he recommended Hayworth.
“We’re very excited to have Coach Hayworth join our program,” HPCA athletic director Corey Gesell said. “He’s got a lot of great experience and knowledge. He’s a good Christian man and he’s been in the community for forever. So, we’re very excited about what he brings to our program.”
Hayworth, who’s coached the outfi eld and a strong corps of slap-hitters at Ledford the past four years, said he draws a lot from Lambros and his experience at North Davidson from 1989 through 1994. He wants to focus on solid fundamentals on the field but, at the same time, be about something more.
“I’m excited,” said Hayworth, who’s also known head of school Keith Curlee for many years. “From what I understand, we have a good core coming back. We want to compete at the highest level we can.
“But, within that, we want to play for the glory of God and play in a way that’ll shine a light on Him. “We hope that in the way we play it might inspire somebody to get in touch with Him. And we want to have the respect and good fellowship of the teams we play. We want to play and we want to win. At the same time, we want to be courteous to our opponents and show respect – but we want to beat you.”
Hayworth, who also graduated from N.C. State, and his wife, Brenda, live in High Point and have three daughters, Anna, Jessie and Mary Douglas, and a son, Baxter. He takes over a program that, from 2011 through 2015, reached the state semifinals five times, the fi nal game three times and won one state title.
BY MICHAEL LINDSAY
ENTERPRISE SPORTS WRITER
HIGH POINT — Lin Hayworth knew that High Point Christian is where he’s meant to be.
After careful consideration and prayer, Hayworth, most recently an assistant coach at Ledford, agreed to become the Cougars’ new head softball coach. He replaces Jeremy Cecil, who had a successful tenure highlighted by winning the 2013 NCISAA 3A state championship.
“It just sort of all seemed right,” said Hayworth, following a meeting with players and their families Monday at the school. “We talked about it and obviously a lot of praying was involved. But I feel like it’s where God wants me and it’s where I’m supposed to be.
“I wish the season would start next month,” he said. “It’s just in me. Every coach that coaches at this level, that’s what it is — it’s a part of you.”
Hayworth, who graduated from Ledford, where he played baseball and basketball, has coached softball at a variety of levels over the last 30 years. He’s coached at East Davidson as a J.V. coach, as an assistant at North Davidson under Mike Lambros and as an assistant at Ledford under Charlie Brown. He’s also coached a number of other teams including the DC Thunder, alongside Cecil, and Carolina Attitude.
So, when Cecil, whose daughter, Lindsay, was a key member of HPCA’s teams through 2015 and whose son, Tanner, is a rising senior on the baseball team, stepped down, he recommended Hayworth.
“We’re very excited to have Coach Hayworth join our program,” HPCA athletic director Corey Gesell said. “He’s got a lot of great experience and knowledge. He’s a good Christian man and he’s been in the community for forever. So, we’re very excited about what he brings to our program.”
Hayworth, who’s coached the outfi eld and a strong corps of slap-hitters at Ledford the past four years, said he draws a lot from Lambros and his experience at North Davidson from 1989 through 1994. He wants to focus on solid fundamentals on the field but, at the same time, be about something more.
“I’m excited,” said Hayworth, who’s also known head of school Keith Curlee for many years. “From what I understand, we have a good core coming back. We want to compete at the highest level we can.
“But, within that, we want to play for the glory of God and play in a way that’ll shine a light on Him. “We hope that in the way we play it might inspire somebody to get in touch with Him. And we want to have the respect and good fellowship of the teams we play. We want to play and we want to win. At the same time, we want to be courteous to our opponents and show respect – but we want to beat you.”
Hayworth, who also graduated from N.C. State, and his wife, Brenda, live in High Point and have three daughters, Anna, Jessie and Mary Douglas, and a son, Baxter. He takes over a program that, from 2011 through 2015, reached the state semifinals five times, the fi nal game three times and won one state title.
