HONORING THE PAST, BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Led by Committee Chair Kelly Walton Miller ’90, Vice Co-Chairs Luke Blythe ’96 and Brad Touma, and in partnership with the Advancement and Athletics Departments, we have revived Country Day’s Athletics Hall of Honor to celebrate and preserve the tradition of athletic excellence at our school. The committee, tasked with building a sustainable nomination and selection process and conceptualizing physical space and an event to recognize inductees, received over 180 nominations. The 2024–25 Athletics Hall of Honor class, highlighted on the following pages, was selected by the committee to represent a diversity of sports, decades, and areas of impact in athletic excellence.

We look forward to celebrating these honorees, who will be inducted into the Hall of Honor’s third class during Homecoming Weekend on Saturday, October 19, 2024.

To learn more about the process, event, or to nominate a fellow Buc for future consideration, please visit: charlottecountryday.org/alumni/hall-of-honor

LAT PURSER III ’69

STUDENT-ATHLETE I FOOTBALLROOKIE YEAR | 1963

CLAIM TO FAME: 1969 Athlete’s Cup Award recipient and stellar three-sport athlete.

“Lat Purser is the epitome of Country Day athletics—participation and seeking excellence for the pure love of the game. Lat was always competitive in the most positive way, competing to pursue excellence and to exceed his records. As a witness to Lat’s conduct through his Country Day career, college, and his business career, I can confirm that he possesses all the highest virtues of hard work, honor, respect, and concern for others. He is a wonderful role model.”

–Phifer Helms ’70, Friend and Former Teammate

FACTS & STATS

• Recognized as Charlotte Observer’s Player of the Week for the city of Charlotte.

• Led as football team captain, carrying the ball an average 10 yards per game, and served as wrestling team captain, becoming a state champion at 180 lbs.

• Played football at Washington & Lee University where he had a notable 225-yard all-purpose game.

MIKE COFER ’82

STUDENT-ATHLETE I FOOTBALL

ROOKIE YEAR I 1979

CLAIM TO FAME: Two-time Super Bowl Champion (XXIII & XXIV) as the kicker on the San Francisco 49ers during his eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

“Perhaps the best athlete I ever had the opportunity to coach— whether it was football, soccer, basketball, or baseball. Mike played at another level than most athletes, and it was a joy to watch. I feel like he could have also played baseball professionally if given the chance!”

–Ed Walton, Coach

FACTS & STATS

• Received the 1982 Athlete’s Cup Award, won the 1981–82 NCISAA Football and Baseball State Championships, and was awarded Most Valuable Player.

• Kicked for North Carolina State University and in the NFL for eight seasons with the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, and New Orleans Saints.

• Honored as the NFL 1989 Scoring Leader and First Team All-Pro and broke two team records in his first year with the San Fransisco 49ers.

ALFRED AND BETSY BRAND

CONTRIBUTORS

ROOKIE YEAR I 1971

CLAIM TO FAME: Served as Board of Trustee members and provided leadership on the Athletics, Investment, and Property and Grounds Committees, while giving generously to multiple capital campaigns and championing the renovations of numerous athletic facilities.

“Simply, Mr. and Mrs. Brand’s endless contributions of time, energy, and resources have made our school and our athletic programs better. From providing strategic direction on various Board committees to cheering on the sidelines for over four decades, the Brand’s generosity and endless advocacy has bolstered and elevated Country Day’s athletic programs.”

–David Mancos, Interim Head of School and Chief Financial Officer

FACTS & STATS

• Provided 22 years of cumulative service on the Board of Trustees. Betsy served as secretary and provided guidance on various committees including Education, Athletics, Scholarship, and Nominating. Alfred served as vice chair and as a valuable member of the Executive, Finance, Investment, and Property and Grounds committees.

• Supported and guided numerous capital campaigns that led to the fruition of the Bruton Smith Athletic Center, the Harris Performance Gym, and together served as honorary chairs for the Campaign for Students.

• Inducted into the Honorary Alumni Association, in recognition of their exceptional loyalty, distinguished service, and generous support to the school.

STEPHANIE NEILL HARNER ’91

STUDENT-ATHLETE I GOLF

ROOKIE YEAR I 1985

CLAIM TO FAME: Competed professionally on the Ladies’ European Tour and the Futures Tour (now called the LPGA Epson Tour) with two runner-up finishes.

“Stephanie Harner was a trailblazer for our Country Day community. Her achievements as a student-athlete and leadership as my coach were instrumental in my journey to a professional golf career. We, especially the Girls' Golf team, are incredibly fortunate to have such an accomplished player and coach like Coach Harner.”

–Laura Wearn '09, LPGA Player

FACTS & STATS

• Played as the only girl on the 1987–90 Varsity Boys’ Golf team, becoming a Varsity Golf State Champion and was honored with the 1991 Scholar-Athlete Award.

• Inducted into Wake Forest’s Hall of Fame in 2006.

• Won the North Carolina Women’s Amateur three times, the Carolina Amateur four straight times, the ACC Championship, and was recognized as the ACC Player of the Year, ACC’s Top 50 Female Athletes list, and ranked #1 Women’s Amateur golfer in the U.S.

FRANCIE CHAPMAN MANGAN ’79

STUDENT-ATHLETE I BASKETBALL

ROOKIE YEAR I 1967

CLAIM TO FAME: First female athlete to score 1,000 career points in basketball.

“Francie was an exceptional athlete in field hockey and tennis, but she was an amazing center on the basketball team. I often joked that she sharpened her elbows before games, but in truth, her truly outstanding play was marked by a unique ease and grace. As a leader, she rallied her teammates when we needed it most, always in positive and encouraging ways, embodying sportsmanship, confidence, and dependability. I admired how she balanced intense competitiveness with her fun lighthearted spirit.”

–Lucy White Butler ’79, Former Teammate and Co-Captain

FACTS & STATS

• Honored as a three-sport athlete and 1979 Victora Ludorum recipient.

• Provided leadership as the 1978–79 team captain and earned the 1977–78 and 1978–79 Most Valuable Player awards.

• Named as the 1977 First All-Star Basketball Team in the CISAA League, named to the 1977–78 Charlotte News’ Second All-Star Team, received 1977–78 All-Tournament honors, and was a 1977–78 Western Regionals Champion.

TED ROBINSON

ROOKIE YEAR I MID-1980s (ACTIVE)

CLAIM TO FAME: Honorary member of the football, basketball, and baseball programs, “Teddy” is widely known as the “Bucs Super Fan.”

“The positive impact Ted has had on me and the rest of our school community has been loving, powerful, and consistent. Guided by his parents, Toni and the late Win Robinson, Ted has served our community unlike anyone else in my time at Country Day. He is known as Country Day’s super fan but to me, he is more than a fan, he is family.”

FACTS & STATS

• Supported Country Day athletics since attending his first games as an infant in the 1980s and since has led our Varsity Football team onto Cook Field over 200 times.

• Filled and helped deliver over 10,000 coolers of water and 60,000 bags of injury ice to hydrate and support our student-athletes and coaches.

• Received countless hugs (even from the opposing teams!) and high fives and remains a constant inspiration and motivation for our entire athletics community.

WIN ROBINSON (IN MEMORIAM)

ROOKIE YEAR I 1974

CLAIM TO FAME: Coached the first Country Day soccer team and Middle School golf teams and was a founding member of the Chain Gang.

“Win was a joyful, resourceful, inspiring leader who never sought the limelight for himself, but added wisdom and whimsy to every aspect of Country Day life. I am honored that I served on the Chain Gang with him for nearly 20 years: we were clowns, construction workers, vampires, motorcycle dudes, chefs, doctors, and NASCAR drivers. Win always brought supreme attention to detail to everything he did and he made sure everyone around him had fun.”

FACTS & STATS

• Served Country Day for 40+ years; Win’s ability to connect with students, both in the classroom and on the field, strengthened our school community and pride.

• Built tradition as a founding member of the Chain Gang where he made something routine and obligatory, special, creative, and energizing.

• Inducted into the Honorary Alumni Association in 2009, and The Win Robinson Leadership & Service Award is given annually to an Upper School student in his name.

CALVIN DAVIS JR.

COACH I TENNIS

ROOKIE YEAR I 1989 (ACTIVE)

CLAIM TO FAME: Won 35 State Championships and has coached four professional players.

“Not only is Calvin a world-class tennis coach, he is also one of the best motivators and teachers of life skills I have ever come across. His many words of wisdom and motivational lessons have stayed with me personally and professionally for the last 32 years, long after my graduation from Country Day. For this I am forever grateful to Coach Calvin and could not be prouder of him for the great impact he has had on countless studentathletes. I will always appreciate the culture he created at Country Day of winning the right way with discipline, respect, and class.”

• Inducted into the North Carolina Tennis Association Hall of Fame in 2024.

• Honored with The Calvin Davis Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund established in 2020 and the scoreboard on Rankin Tennis Courts was named in honor of Coach Davis in 2022.

• Named National High School Tennis Coach of the Year (five times!) by the Professional Tennis Registry, 2005 USTA/NCHS Tennis Coach of the Year, 1997 and 2014 Carl Bolick Coach’s Award, and the Charlotte Observer “All-Time Top 10 Coaches for All Sports” in Mecklenburg County.

Ed Walton

COACH I BASEBALL

ROOKIE YEAR I 1976 (ACTIVE)

CLAIM TO FAME: A 50-year career in contributing to athletics excellence at Country Day, coaching multiple sports, teaching in the classroom, advising student-athletes, and athletics administration.

“In addition to stacking up an amazing record with playoff and state championship wins, Coach Walton has set an example for many young athletes on how to give back to their community, support and love those around you, and respect your opponent during a game as well as years after you graduate.”

–Rich Tourtellot ’84, Former Player

FACTS & STATS

• Recognized as North Carolina Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame 2016 Honoree with an overall coaching record of 540–289.

• Coached nine State Championship teams, won 15 Conference Championships, awarded the 1989 Carl Bolick Coach’s Award, NCISSA Coach of the Year (five times!), and Mecklenburg County Coach of the Year (three times!).

• Inducted into the Honorary Alumni Association in 2010 and the Ed Walton Field was named in his honor in 2009.

INDUCTION INTO COUNTRY DAY’S ATHLETICS HALL OF HONOR, in all cases, is reserved for nominees whose achievements and contributions exemplify the principles of sportsmanship and character as expounded in the school’s philosophy and guidelines. Nominations are considered within four categories: Student Athlete, Coach, or Athletics Administrator/Staff, Team, and Program Contributor/Advocate/Volunteer.

In 1999 and 2003, the following people were inducted into the Athletics Hall of Honor to recognize those who brought honor, excellence, and distinction to Country Day’s athletics programs.

• John Cook*

• Sam Cook ’66*

• Basil M. Boyd, MD*

• Sally C. Dowd*

• Victor J. Josephs ’63

• John and Doris Miller*

• Bryan W. Pittman ’65

• Mickie Pittman Sibley ’69

• George R. Yeager*