Author: Dsp9048sjasdf

Scott Bankhead is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who had a ten-year big-league career. Bankhead made his major-league debut on May 25, 1986, with the Royals, after a swift rise through the minors. He finished his rookie season with an 8-9 record and a 4.61 ERA in 24 appearances (17 starts).

Shortly after, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners for the 1987 season, where he spent five seasons. His performance peaked in 1989: a 14-6 record with a 3.34 ERA as a full-time starter, during a season in which his team wasn’t particularly strong—but he was. Injuries (notably shoulder trouble) curtailed his workload thereafter.

In 1992 he shifted into a relief role with the Cincinnati Reds and rejuvenated his career, posting a 10-4 record with a 2.93 ERA in 54 games. He spent two seasons in relief with the Boston Red Sox (1993-94) and closed out his big-league time with the New York Yankees in 1995. Over his MLB career he appeared in 267 games (110 starts), amassed a 57-48 win-loss record and a 4.18 ERA with 614 strikeouts.

Bankhead was born in Raleigh and raised in Reidsville, North Carolina, where he starred at Reidsville High School. As as a senior, he struck out an astounding 176 batters in just 76 innings and posted a 0.37 earned-run average—earning high school national recognition. He chose to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) rather than sign immediately, and there he flourished. Over three years with the Tar Heels he compiled a 24-3 record, went 20-0 over his final two seasons, helped lead UNC to three straight ACC championships, and earned All-American honors twice. During the summers of 1982 and 1983 he pitched with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod League, where he developed a sharp slider and earned all-star recognition.

In 1984, Bankhead represented the United States as a member of the U.S. baseball team at the 1984 Summer Olympics (when baseball was a demonstration sport). He appeared in two games, logged 9⅔ innings and allowed a just a single earned run. That same year, he was selected 16th overall in the first round of the MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals

Following his playing days, Bankhead returned to North Carolina and established the North Carolina Baseball Academy, providing training and mentorship to young players. His career has been recognized via induction into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and the American Legion Hall of Fame.

Mark Your Calendar
(All Meetings at Croasdaile Country Club)
12/3/25 – Jack Marin, Duke and NBA Star
12/17/25 – Durham Sports Club’s Christmas Event
1/5/25 – NO MEETING  (Croasdaile will be closed that week)

Our guest speaker for this meeting will be Tony Haynes, NC State’s color analyst for men’s basketball, sideline reporter for the football broadcasts, and host for the TV and radio coaches shows for both football and men’s basketball.

Haynes attended NC State University, graduating in 1984. While at NC State, he was deeply involved in campus radio, serving as Sports Director for WKNC-FM from 1982 to 1984. Those early years calling Wolfpack games and covering campus athletics sparked a lifelong connection to the school and its teams.

Following graduation, Haynes launched his professional career with WKIX 850 AM in Raleigh, working as both a disc jockey and sports reporter. This period helped him develop the mix of technical skill and quick-thinking presence that would later define his on-air style.

In 1987, Haynes expanded his career into collegiate athletics broadcasting, joining the Duke Blue Devils Football Radio Network as a sideline reporter. His versatility and insight led to another opportunity in 1993, when he joined the Duke Men’s Basketball radio broadcast team as a color analyst. Those experiences honed his storytelling and courtside reporting instincts.

Alongside his work at Duke, Haynes served as a sports anchor and reporter for the North Carolina News Network beginning in 1989. For more than a decade, he delivered statewide sports coverage, reported from ACC events, and built a respected reputation for accuracy and professionalism in North Carolina media.

In 1998, Haynes came full circle, returning to his alma mater as part of the Wolfpack Sports Network. Over nearly three decades, he became one of the most familiar voices in NC State athletics. His roles included:
• Sideline reporter for NC State football broadcasts
• Color analyst for men’s basketball
• Play-by-play announcer for select baseball games
• Host of NC State’s television and radio coaches’ shows for football and basketball.

His deep knowledge of Wolfpack history, rapport with coaches and players, and easy-going but precise commentary made him a trusted presence for fans.

During the 2004–05 season, Haynes received the ACC Sports Journal’s “Best Color Analyst” award for his basketball work—one of several acknowledgments of his broadcast excellence and credibility in ACC circles.

In August 2025, Haynes announced he would retire following the 2025 NC State football season, concluding a 28-year run with the Wolfpack Sports Network.

Mark Your Calendar
(All Meetings at Croasdaile Country Club)
11/19/25 – Scott Bankhead, former MLB Pitcher
12/3/25 – Special Guest Speaker
12/17/25 – Durham Sports Club’s Christmas Event

Our guest speaker for this meeting will be Trei Oliver, Head Football Coach at NC Central University. Since taking the reins at NCCU, the Eagles have seen stunning success, including winning the 2022 HBCU National title with a victory over Jackson St in the Celebration Bowl; making the FCS playoffs for their first-ever appearance in 2023; and rolling to an 8-3 record in 2024. Oliver received MEAC Coach of the Year honors in 2022 and 2023.

Growing up in a family deeply rooted in NCCU—his parents, Colon and Evelyn Oliver, were both alumni, and his father played wide receiver for the Eagles in the 1960s—Oliver’s connection to the institution was almost inevitable.

Oliver played football at NCCU from 1994 to 1997, handling dual roles as a defensive back and punter. Over his collegiate career, he was selected all-conference or all-region in multiple seasons. In 1997, he posted a punting average of 41.7 yards, ranking among the best in NCCU history. He also contributed significantly on defense, finishing his playing days among NCCU’s career leaders in tackles and passes defended.

Oliver graduated from NCCU in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. Later, he earned a master’s degree in criminal justice from Grambling State University in 2010.

Oliver launched his coaching career in 1999 at Delaware State University, where he served as defensive backs coach and assistant special teams coordinator from 1999 to 2002.

In 2003, he returned to NCCU as an assistant, wearing multiple hats: coaching defensive backs, wide receivers, overseeing special teams, and acting as recruiting coordinator. During his stint from 2003 to 2006, the Eagles won back-to-back CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) championships (2005, 2006), and in 2006 the team achieved an 11–1 record, earning an HBCU national title.

From 2007 to 2010, Oliver joined Grambling State University as outside linebackers coach, recruiting coordinator, and special teams coordinator. At Grambling, the staff won two SWAC West Division championships and secured the SWAC championship and national recognition in 2008.

He next moved to North Carolina A&T (2011–2015) as outside linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator. During his tenure, the Aggies shared MEAC championships in 2014 and 2015, and won the inaugural Celebration Bowl in 2015, earning a black college national title.

From 2016 through 2018, Oliver was the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Southern University. In his final season, Southern captured the SWAC West Division championship and competed in the SWAC title game.

On December 13, 2018, NCCU announced the hiring of Oliver as its 24th head football coach, bringing an alum’s flair to the role. His contract began January 2, 2019. Since stepping into the head-coach role, Oliver has posted a cumulative record of 37–21 through the first five seasons (2019, 2021–2024). (There was no 2020 season due to COVID-19.) Under his leadership:

• In 2022, the Eagles went 10–2, shared the MEAC title, and defeated Jackson State in the Celebration Bowl to claim an HBCU national title. Oliver was named MEAC Coach of the Year.

• In 2023, NCCU went 9–3, again posting strong conference play and making its first-ever appearance in the FCS Playoffs. Oliver earned another MEAC Coach of the Year nod.

• In 2024, the team went 8–3 overall and 4–1 in MEAC.

Under Oliver, NCCU has consistently posted a 4–1 MEAC record in multiple seasons, and his teams have often secured non-conference victories over strong opponents.

Mark Your Calendar
(All Meetings at Croasdaile Country Club)
11/5/25 – A Special Guest Speaker
11/19/25 – Scott Bankhead, former MLB Pitcher
12/3/25 – Another Special Guest Speaker
12/17/25 – Durham Sports Club Annual Christmas event

Our guest speaker for this meeting will be Johnny Evans, former football standout at NC State and NFL player.

Evans was the Quarterback at North Carolina State University in the mid-1970s, where he played under two very different head coaches—Bo Rein and Lou Holtz, yet still lettered all four years (1974-77). In his senior season, 1977, he led the Wolfpack to an 8-4 record, and capped his college career with a strong showing in the 1977 Peach Bowl, where he was named MVP after throwing for 202 yards and rushing for 62 more in NC State’s win over Iowa State.

His performance at NC State earned him selection in the second round of the 1978 NFL Draft, 39th overall, by the Cleveland Browns. With the Browns, Evans’ primary NFL role was as a punter, though he remained listed as a quarterback/punter. He played three seasons (1978-1980), totaling 48 regular-season games. As a punter for Cleveland, Evans handled 214 punts, totaling 8,463 yards for an average of about 39.5 yards per punt. His longest punt in the NFL was 65 yards. Though he was rostered as a quarterback, he never took a snap in a regular-season game at QB for the Browns.

After his NFL stint, Evans continued his professional playing career in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played for the Montreal Concordes (also called Alouettes/Concordes) and later the Edmonton Eskimos. In Canada, he saw more action as a quarterback and also handled kicking duties.

Following his playing days, Evans shifted into broadcasting. Since 1996 he has served as a radio color commentator ‒ sometimes called game-day analyst ‒ for NC State Wolfpack football.

Evans was born in High Point, North Carolina. From those early days at T. Wingate Andrews High School, Evans showed the dual gifts of athleticism and leadership—he was a standout prep All-American quarterback, setting the stage for his notable football journey.

Evans is father to quadruplets, two of whom also played football for NC State, continuing the family ties to the Wolfpack program.

Mark Your Calendar
(All Meetings at Croasdaile Country Club)
10/15/25 – A Special Guest Speaker
11/5/25 – A Different Special Guest Speaker
11/19/25 – Scott Bankhead, former MLB Pitcher

Our guest speaker for this meeting will be Gene Banks, former Duke and NBA basketball star. Growing up in Philadelphia, one of America’s toughest basketball hotbeds, Banks quickly made a name for himself on the courts of Philly. By the time he enrolled at West Philadelphia High School, he was already being touted as one of the nation’s top prep players.  At West Philadelphia, he led his team to three straight Public League championships and a remarkable 68-game winning streak. His combination of size (6-foot-7), strength, and skill was rare for a high school player in the 1970s. He could post up like a big man, handle the ball like a guard, and slash to the basket with authority.  His dominance earned him the distinction of being named the 1977 National High School Player of the Year by Parade Magazine. Major programs across the country recruited him, but Banks ultimately chose to attend Duke University, a decision that would cement him as a trailblazer for the Blue Devils.

When Banks arrived at Duke in 1977, the program was respected but not yet considered a national powerhouse. Mike Krzyzewski wouldn’t arrive until 1980; at the time, Bill Foster was the head coach. Banks, along with teammates like Jim Spanarkel and Mike Gminski, transformed Duke basketball into a contender.  Banks wasted no time making an impression. In his freshman season (1977–78), he averaged nearly a double-double and became a centerpiece of a team that advanced to the 1978 NCAA championship game. Duke fell to Kentucky in that final, but Banks’ fearless play on the national stage announced the program’s arrival. Over four seasons, Banks became known for his all-around game. He wasn’t just a scorer—though he finished his Duke career with over 2,000 points, one of the first Blue Devils to do so. He was also a tenacious rebounder and defender, routinely matching up against bigger opponents and outworking them.

By his senior year in 1981, Banks was a captain and one of the most respected players in the ACC. He earned All-ACC honors three times and was named a second-team All-American. His career at Duke helped lay the foundation for the success the program would enjoy under Coach K in the decades to follow.

Banks entered the 1981 NBA Draft and was selected in the second round (28th overall) by the San Antonio Spurs. While second-round picks weren’t always expected to become impact players, Banks quickly proved he belonged at the professional level.  In San Antonio, Banks joined a roster led by George Gervin, “The Iceman,” one of the smoothest scorers in NBA history. Banks carved out his role as a versatile forward who could defend, rebound, and provide secondary scoring. He wasn’t flashy, but his hustle and adaptability made him a fan favorite. One of his best seasons came in 1983–84, when he averaged nearly 15 points and 6 rebounds per game. He played an important role in helping the Spurs remain competitive in the rugged Western Conference.

In 1985, Banks signed with the Chicago Bulls, just as a young rookie named Michael Jordan was beginning to take the league by storm. While Jordan was the clear star, Banks provided veteran leadership and a reliable presence at forward.  He played two seasons with the Bulls, often tasked with guarding tough opponents and doing the dirty work that doesn’t always show up in the box score. By the end of his NBA career, Banks had appeared in 468 games and scored over 4,000 points, solidifying himself as a dependable role player in the league.

After leaving the NBA, Banks continued his basketball journey overseas. He played professionally in Europe, particularly in Italy and Israel, where his leadership and experience were highly valued. Like many American players who extended their careers abroad, Banks became both a cultural ambassador and a star in international leagues.

When his playing days ended, Banks transitioned into coaching and player development. He worked with several programs at various levels, sharing his knowledge and passion for the game with younger generations.

Even after his professional career, Banks remained closely connected to Duke and the broader basketball community. He has been honored repeatedly by the university for his contributions as one of the players who helped raise Duke’s national profile. In 2007, he was inducted into the Duke Sports Hall of Fame, a fitting recognition of his legacy. Banks has also been involved in charitable efforts and mentoring, using his platform to encourage young athletes to pursue education alongside their athletic ambitions.

Mark Your Calendar
(All Meetings at Croasdaile Country Club)
10/1/25 – Johnny Evans, Former NC State and NFL Star
10/15/25 – A Special Guest Speaker
11/5/25 – A Different Special Guest Speaker

Our guest speaker for this meeting will be Art Chansky, a renowned author, journalist, and storyteller, has long been celebrated as one of the most insightful chroniclers of college sports and Southern culture. Living in Chapel Hill, Chansky’s career has been marked by a singular devotion to telling the stories of the people, places, and passions that define his home. With a distinctive narrative voice and a passion for uncovering the personal dimensions behind public legends, Chansky has built a reputation as an essential historian of the University of North Carolina (UNC) and the world that surrounds it.

Chansky’s career began in journalism, a field that allowed him to merge his passions for writing and sports. After graduating from UNC, he took on roles in various local and regional publications, steadily building a reputation for insightful reporting and nuanced profiles. His writing combined factual rigor with vivid storytelling, capturing not only the events of the day but also the emotional undercurrents that animated them.

Chansky grew up at a time when college basketball was beginning to shape the cultural landscape of the American South. He attended UNC, immersing himself in both the academic and sporting life of the campus. It was during these formative years that Chansky first encountered the personalities and institutions that would become central to his later works.

Chansky’s bibliography is extensive, with his writing spanning decades and addressing a range of topics, though he is best known for his works on UNC basketball. In addition to his books, Chansky has contributed essays, columns, and features to numerous newspapers and magazines. His voice is a familiar one in the North Carolina media landscape, where he has appeared on radio programs, podcasts, and panel discussions.


Mark Your Calendar
(All Meetings at Croasdaile Country Club)
9/17/25 – Gene Banks, former Duke and NBA Star
10/1/25 – Johnny Evans, Former NC State and NFL Star
10/15/25 – A Different Special Guest Speaker

Our guest speaker for this meeting will be Jolene Nagel, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at Duke. In 1999, Jolene Nagel became Duke University’s fifth head women’s volleyball coach, arriving just weeks before the start of the fall season. By her third season in 2001, Nagel earned ACC Coach of the Year honors, leading Duke to a 23-5 record and captured the ACC regular-season championship. Over her tenure, Nagel has guided the Blue Devils to 12 NCAA Tournament appearances, including an ACC record of seven consecutive berths from 2005 to 2011. She has over 700 wins as a head coach, with more than 500 of those coming at Duke (Nagel’s prior Head Coaching duties were at Cornell and Georgetown). The winningest Duke volleyball coach on record, she also ranks among the league coaching leaders in overall winning percentage, ACC winning percentage, ACC wins and NCAA Tournament appearances.


Mark Your Calendar
(All Meetings at Croasdaile Country Club)
9/3/25 – Art Chansky, Author
9/17/25 – Gene Banks, former Duke and NBA Star
10/1/25 – Special Guest Speaker

Our guest speaker for this meeting will be Daman Nahas, Head Women’s Soccer Coach at UNC. On August 11, 2024, then-Head Coach Anson Dorrance announced his retirement – four days before the start of the 2024 season. Nahas, who had been promoted to Associate Head Coach in 2021, was named interim head coach of the Tar Heels—becoming only the second head coach in program history. In his very first season as Head Coach, he led the team to the National Championship.

Despite inheriting a young roster and dealing with injuries and US youth team absences, Nahas guided UNC to a 22–5–0 season with a 7–3 ACC record, navigating multiple challenges throughout the campaign.  Under Nahas’s leadership, UNC earned an at large NCAA tournament bid as a No. 2 seed and advanced through rounds with gritty performances. In the quarterfinals, they overcame Penn State in overtime. In the College Cup semifinal, they avenged regular-season losses to Duke with a commanding 3–0 win. The final, held December 9, 2024 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, saw UNC defeat Wake Forest 1-0. With that victory, the Tar Heels clinched their 23rd national championship, and their first since 2012.

Mark Your Calendar

8/20/25 – Jolene Nagel, Head Volleyball Coach, Duke
9/3/25 – Special Guest Speaker
9/17/25 – Gene Banks, former Duke and NBA Star

Our guest speaker for this meeting will be Jim Lampley, Former sportscaster, news anchor, film producer and more. Lampley broke into national television in 1974 as ABC’s first sideline reporter for college football. Throughout the 1970s and ’80s, he anchored events like the Indianapolis 500, Major League Baseball, college hoops, the United States Football League, NASCAR’s Firecracker 400 (where he famously interviewed President Reagan), and Super Bowl XIX. In 1987, he moved to CBS and year-round roles at HBO, becoming the familiar voice of HBO’s World Championship Boxing for three decades (1988–2018). Lampley also covered a record 14 Olympic Games for US television from 1976 to 2008, working for ABC, KCBS, NBC, and other networks. He earned distinctions including the Sam Taub Award in 1992 for outstanding boxing broadcasting journalism, four Sports Emmy Awards, and induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2015.

Beyond television, Lampley produced and hosted HBO’s The Fight Game with Jim Lampley and executive-produced series like On Freddie Roach. He also owns a restaurant and a production company and has made cameo appearances in films like Rocky Balboa, Creed, and Ocean’s Eleven.

Jim resides in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with his wife Debra Schuss. His career spans nearly 50 years and marks him as one of America’s most enduring and influential commentators.

Our guest speaker for this meeting will be Dave Odom, Former Head Basketball Coach at Wake Forest, University of South Carolina and others. After graduating from East Carolina in 1969, Odom took a job at Durham High School, coaching there for seven years (1969–1976),where he was voted his league’s coach of the year five times. Odom began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant at Wake Forest University in 1976 under head coach Carl Tacy. After three years at Wake Forest (1976–1979), Odom became the head coach at East Carolina University, where his squad compiled a 16-11 record, the university’s best since 1965. In his 12 seasons as Head Coach at Wake Forest, Odom compiled a record of 240-132, making him the second-highest winning coach in Wake Forest history, as well as the second highest winning percentage in school history. During this time, Wake Forest earned 7 straight NCAA Tournament appearances and one NIT championship. Odom was named ACC coach of the year in 1991, 1994 and 1995. Odom left Wake Forest to accept the job as head coach of the University of South Carolina in 2001. During his tenure at South Carolina, his team earned one NCAA tournament bid, and made three appearances in the NIT, winning the championship in 2005 and 2006. He was named SEC Coach of the Year in 2004. On January 2, 2008, Odom coached his 400th collegiate victory as a head coach. Later that month, on January 18, he announced that he would retire at the end of the 2007-2008 basketball season, his seventh at South Carolina. He coached his final game for USC on March 14, 2008, in the SEC tournament.

Mark Your Calendar

7/2/25 – NO MEETING
7/16/25 – Jim Lampley, Sports Broadcaster
8/6/25 – Special Guest Speaker