Bobcat Club 2024-2025

Dear Bobcat Nation – 

I saw a few grown men cry on Saturday. 

Now that I have your attention, let me better explain. 

The men were emotional as they had returned to campus and gathered as teammates to recognize the special efforts of a special woman. 

You see, there was an informal reunion of some members of past football teams who wanted to come back to Lees-McRae College and, I believe, say thank you to Rita Smith. 

In each of their speeches, they talked of the impact this place had on them; how during that point in their lives football was the only thing for them, but it was Lees-McRae College that built them. 

It was also the special efforts from Ms. Rita that helped them grow as young men. They shared how she took care of them, looked after them, and challenged them to grow up, be responsible, and have pride for themselves. It was powerful. 

The men told stories of the “Black Hole,” three-a-days, arriving at school in the dark and waking up to see mountains surrounding the campus, study halls, injuries, and the care they were provided by Ms. Rita. 

To say she has provided care for many is an understatement of epic proportion. She has spent 40 years at Lees-McRae College doing a little bit of everything. From starting the athletic training program to being a key administrator in the athletic department and various duties in between, she has touched the lives of thousands of young people.  

Watching these grown men thank her for making them who they are today is why we do this and a testament to her incredible impact. 

Four decades of commitment to Lees-McRae College, close to 14,600 days of service to this institution, with a daily effort to make it better—she made a difference all right. 

She was THE difference. 

We are all better for the opportunities we had with Ms. Rita. 

The plaque the football guys gave Ms. Rita says, “Thank you for instilling in us the values of discipline, perseverance, and team work. We are forever grateful for your countless hours spent helping us recover from aches, pains, and mild injuries. More than anything else, you kept us on the path of understanding the value of family and friendship.” 

On behalf of all of us in the athletic department and many alumni, coaches, staff, faculty, others who walked into the Fred I. Dickerson Athletic Complex, we say thank you!

Congratulations on time well spent with all of us.

Craig McPhail 

Vice President for Athletics and Club Sports

Dear Bobcat Nation – 

As the semester comes to a close, we ended the year with a celebration. 

Our 8th annual CATSPY athletic awards banquet was Tuesday night. From the energy in the auditorium to the pictures taken and the after party in The Summit, this event was epic! 

I enjoy seeing the student-athletes dressed up. It is a great way to end the year. This time we made a conscious effort to honor our seniors. We did a Senior Social prior to the event as a way to recognize their efforts. In talking with them, I reflected on their commitment to us and how it will impact their lives long after they graduate. We gave them a lapel pin to showcase in their special moments. 

In looking at those in the room, I realized they went through COVID and in some cases several coaches, and still stayed true to Lees-McRae. 

Our ceremony was awesome as Rev. Alan Yawn of the Banner Elk Christian Fellowship Church helped emcee the night, bringing a level of excitement to the awards show. 

The after party in The Summit had videos from the year, dancing, photo booths, s’mores, and a sundae bar. We ran out of ice cream several times! 

Honoring these young people is always a treat. This evening always gives us a great opportunity to say thank you, while bringing closure to the year.  

See for yourself in these photos how special the night was. Thank you,

Craig McPhail 

Vice President for Athletics and Club Sports

Dear Bobcat Nation – 

Tomorrow is such an important day for our athletic department. It’s Giving Day! 

Membership to the Bobcat Club is so critical for us to enhance the student-athlete experience and give our young people the great memories they carry with them long after they leave Banner Elk. 

Currently, we have 292 donors and our goal is to add 200 more. This is a herculean task, but one I know Bobcats everywhere will accept. 

Each team is using their social media platforms, primarily Instagram, to attract interest and gain awareness to help make a difference. 

Areas where we have used funds generated on Giving Day and those gifts made to the Bobcat Club are readily seen daily by our student-athletes. Our weight room gets new equipment annually as every student-athlete uses this space. We look to elevate our athletic training room clinic in a variety of ways. Experiential trip opportunities are unique ways we add to the experience of our students. The most recent public speaker we brought in to talk about Belonging in 2024 was very impactful. 

There’s additional signage, branding of our athletics logo for recruits to see when coming on a visit, the 4.0 dinner, student-athlete commencement stoles, and professional development for coaches as well as student-athletes. We have also used this for promotions and giveaways such as Gold Outs, foam fingers, cups, and coasters to help share the Bobcat name. 

Let’s do our part to spread this goal and accomplish it! 

We are also excited to announce our Ski/Snowboard program is being elevated to varsity status as we lean in more to the motto of Lees-McRae College of In, Of and For the Mountains. This recognizes the efforts our team has made on the national scene where we look to grow this program. 

Thank you for being a faithful steward of Bobcat Athletics.

Best,

Craig McPhail 

V

bobice President for Athletics and Club Sports

Dear Bobcat Nation – 

Can you believe we are less than 100 days away from Commencement and we have not started softball, tennis, outdoor track, or lacrosse? 

Our Office of Institutional Advancement held a 100 Days Until Graduation event Friday in Evans Auditorium to officially kick off the countdown. As I saw the students ordering their cap and gown, taking professional headshots, and practicing interview skills with members of our Alumni Association, I reflected on their journey, their commitment, and most importantly their growth. 

They are our campus leaders, captains of our teams, and some of our best ambassadors in the Athletic Department. 

They may have chosen Lees-McRae for the location, academic program, coach, or opportunity to continue playing their sport while getting an education at such a distinctive college. What they did with their time here mattered. They lived and breathed Lees-McRae College! 

As they met with alumni throughout the day, I’m certain stories were shared about times past and present. These stories are what build the unique bond of memories here. The intersection of connections will only continue to grow from this point as they become part of a special group: Lees-McRae graduates. 

While this was going on, I met with several families and young people who are recruits looking for Lees-McRae College to be their home for the next four years. It is a very fascinating cycle I have been part of over the years. 

In the next 100 days, we will get to see Timon Jones, Sidney Dollar, Hannah Foster, Shannon Korovich, and many others wear our jersey a few more times before we have to say, “See you again soon.” 

Enjoy the ride!

Best,

Craig McPhail Vice President for Athletics and Club Sports

Dear Bobcat Nation – As we approach Thanksgiving, I want to share with you my annual gratitude list so you can see all of the moving parts required to make a successful intercollegiate athletics program. 

We have been blessed by interactions and support from many to make Lees-McRae athletics a vital asset to the college and Banner Elk.

My thankfulness extends in various directions. Enjoy!

• An encouraging email from a faculty member to our women’s volleyball coach wishing them the best as they headed to their conference tournament.
• Late season coaching hires with far-ranging impacts. Swimmers posting lifetime bests, women’s volleyball winning again, women’s lacrosse, softball, and tennis contributing on and off campus. 
• Community support, including a filled Williams Gymnasium for our first home men’s basketball game Saturday. Their enthusiasm helped push our guys to victory, and the post-game hugs of the Bobcat Club members is a neat touch!
• Game Day atmosphere—from a filled Bobcat Bank to a loud gym, we have added cheer and dance to the mix to bring a level of excitement when you come to games. 
• Community service—our young people are among the leaders in community service hours in Conference Carolinas. Partnerships with the YMCA, Banner Elk Elementary School, and other key interactions have made incredible first impressions on many.
• Classroom success—22 consecutive semesters over a 3.0 grade point average is a result of great understanding from our faculty and coaching staff. Seeing key academic leaders at our basketball game Saturday highlights this.
• Our bus drivers—their dedication to drive our teams as well as encourage them is truly spectacular. Their recognition of guiding us makes away games much easier. 
• Bobcat Club members—we have 157 and need to get to 550; help spread the word about how the investment in the lives of our young people can make a difference.
• Speaking of making a difference, our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee made 54 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child Thursday night. Giving of oneself for a greater cause is what it is all about!
• Our coaches and staff—the popcorn doesn’t get made and many other things don’t go as planned without Rita Smith. Jeffrey, Blake, Cam, and Matt, along with our Athletic Training staff, spend countless hours making sure we give you, our best! Seeing our personal interactions with students is what builds a unique bond for us. Watching our coaches give of their time to make the experience positive is critical.
• Facility services and housekeeping—these people make sure we look good and have what we need when we host events. They keep us clean for visitors to see the pride we have in ourselves!
• Partnerships, collaborations, sponsorships—we could not do it without the help from others. Bringing attention to and working with them makes this journey worth it.
• Campus commitment—from the turf field to the gym floor and now the renovations of our tennis courts, we are seeing the enhancements to make us grow. The investment in South Campus gives all of us great hope for Lees-McRae College.

I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving, shared with deep gratitude for the blessings we have been given along with the appreciation for the roles we play.  

 Here’s to good food and fellowship! 

 Best,

Craig McPhail Vice President for Athletics and Club Sports

Dear Bobcat Nation –

Family is everything.

We talk about it often in our athletic department. It is something we emphasize and try to emulate.

I witness it daily. Our coaches going to grab something to eat in The Summit together. Playing Noon Ball together on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A text thread of encouragement on wins and silver linings, makes us all feel proud.

The support we all share for each other comes from understanding how impactful the role we play on our young people has on them.

So, I share this moment with you. There’s a bench outside of the gym where I often sit to have meetings. It overlooks the athletic fields and mountain ranges, and even catches a fraction of Grandfather Mountain and a full view of Hanging Rock. This past week, the leaves on one side of the fields were as vibrant as I have ever seen them.

As I sat in the warm sun, gazing out into the distance thinking about the day, sporting events, Open House, and other things I needed my attention to be focused on, I saw a man walking on the field. He would walk a few steps, stop, look around, and keep going. I could tell it was something important as he continued to walk further onto the fields. His body language made me think this was a spiritual walk.

In walking back to his car in the front of the Williams Physical Education Center parking lot, I approached him. It was James Boyd who played football here in the late 80’s. His wife has been battling breast cancer and he needs a heart transplant. They came up to visit a place that had such a profound impact on him.

While talking, Rita Smith pulled up and the emotional hug/welcome they shared is why we do this! Seeing them reunite, catch up, and share stories further shows the family atmosphere we continue to exude.

If you have been a part of it, you know it. Try it and see for yourself how special this place is.

It will change your life! 

Best,

Craig McPhail Vice President for Athletics and Club Sports

Dear Bobcat Nation –

Change is good.    

It produces all sorts of emotions. Our reaction and acceptance of those changes makes us who we are.    

This summer, I witnessed change. Coaches moved on to other opportunities, which in turn created opportunities for us as well. Staffing changes allow us to evaluate what is needed and wanted, and how to best serve our student-athletes (the customers/consumers).    

The process is never the same; however, the way we go about it does give us a chance to display who we are, what we are looking for, and who best fits our needs. Typically, I have a checklist for each hire. Each one has a distinct set

of boxes I want to find in our next leader for the sport in question.   

We preach family. We share the fact we play basketball as a staff every Tuesday and Thursday, eat lunch often together in our dining hall, and celebrate birthdays, wins, etc. on a head coach text thread that brings us all closer together.    

This past week as I watched the changes on display, I felt good emotions knowing we selected the right coaches for our young people and their adventure here at Lees-McRae College.   

In my position, I’m able to see the impact being made daily with the direct communication our coaches have in preparing the student-athletes for each day’s practice, competition, and often life.    These two photos are examples of what I mean: a crowded gym with our cheer team leading the Lees-McRazies during our home opener for women’s volleyball and all eyes on our new tennis coach as he goes over a drill and the reason for doing it.    

 There are wonderful things happening here. Let’s make a difference, together. Thank you,

Craig McPhail Vice President for Athletics and Club Sports

Dear Bobcat Nation – Can you believe we’re starting week three of classes? I can’t! 

Real games begin this week! A great fall preseason with a good rhythm to classes has everyone in a good groove. 

All of our other sports teams have started practice, giving the Fred I. Dickerson Athletic Complex a lot of action recently. This summer flew by as it seems to always do for me. 

We accomplished a lot during this time and we hope you recognize the improvements made when you visit. We have painted the press box and fencing and stained picnic benches at the tennis pavilion. 

There are new floor mats and decals featuring the branding partnership between our athletic department and Nike. We have added new faces with new head coaches in women’s volleyball, softball, women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s tennis, and swimming. 

The hiring process helped us identify those who want to guide our young people using our vision for intercollegiate athletics as an instrument of growth. I’m excited to work with our coaches to build on our goals to use sportsmanship as a tool to further build character. 

When you are back on campus, or watching a game from our web-stream, take a look at how we continue to elevate the experience and, most importantly, the impact your gifts have made on us. 

Thank you! Best, 

Craig