BY KARISSA MILLER

Statesville Christian School has hired a new athletic director to manage all facets of the school’s athletics program, including scheduling, working with coaches and marketing the school’s sports teams.

JD Chaplain, whose experience includes work at Orangewood Christian School in Florida and Asheville Christian Academy, took over as the new athletic director this year after the previous AD left to take another job.

“I’m excited to be here. It’s the fastest I have ever felt involved in a school. It’s in an incredible place,” Chaplain said.

At Statesville Christian, sports provide avenues of learning life lessons of building teamwork, balancing activities, managing priorities, working hard, having fun and developing a deeper relationship with Christ.

Head of School Ben Hummel said that Chaplain is rapidly fit in with the SCS team.

“He’s got roots in the area and understands the sport scene. He’s young, energetic, but has a heart not only for sports, but most importantly for our student-athletes to deepen their faith through sports,” Hummel said.

Students can begin participating in a sport as early as fifth grade at Statesville Christian. About 78 percent of high school students play a school sport and around 72 percent of middle school students play a school sport.