Coach passed away yesterday after a long battle with an illness.
David Elder, a beloved figure in the local sports community, sadly passed away on Monday, June 12, 2023, following an extended battle with illness. With a rich career primarily at Hickory High School, Elder dedicated his life to coaching high school football and girls basketball teams.
Born in Alexander County, Elder graduated from Taylorsville High School in 1963. He showcased his athletic prowess as a four-year football starter at Lenoir-Rhyne College, where he holds the impressive distinction of ranking 10th on the L-R pass reception record. Throughout his tenure in the NCHSAA (North Carolina High School Athletic Association), Elder taught and coached in five different high schools. However, it was at Hickory High School where he made his greatest impact.
Elder's coaching journey began with successful stints at West Lincoln, South Stanley, Lenoir, and West Caldwell high schools. Eventually, he joined Hickory High as an assistant in 1979, eventually ascending to the position of head football coach in 1994. Notably, Elder's coaching contributions extended beyond football, as he also served as a mentor for the women's basketball team at Hickory High. During his time at the school, his leadership led the women's basketball team to an impressive record of 418-129. Under his guidance, the team achieved remarkable success, winning three NCHSAA State Championships in the 1994-1995, 1997-1998, and 1998-1999 seasons.
Elder's football legacy was equally remarkable, spanning across five schools where he served as a head coach. Throughout his career, he amassed a noteworthy record of 143-71-1. Notably, his leadership at Hickory High resulted in the team clinching the NCHSAA 3A Football State Championship in 1996, triumphing over Ragsdale with a resounding score of 42-0. The Associated Press recognized his outstanding coaching abilities, naming him the State Coach of the Year for Football in 1996 and the State Coach of the Year for Girls Basketball in 1999.
In addition to his coaching endeavors, Elder enriched the sports community as a color commentator for Hickory High football and basketball games on WHKY from 2005 until the 2021 season. His final commentary was during a football game between Hickory High and West Iredell High School, a notable event as it marked the first-ever encounter between the two schools in football. Elder's contributions were not only acknowledged within the realm of sports but also earned him esteemed recognition. He was inducted into four different Hall of Fames in North Carolina, including the Lenoir-Rhyne Sports Hall of Fame in 2000, the Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame in 2007, the Alexander County Sports Hall of Fame as an inaugural member in 2012, and the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2017.
Beyond his involvement in sports, Elder actively participated in the community as an alderman for ward 4 in the town of Long View. He also devoted his time to Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hickory, where he was a valued member. David Elder's impact as a coach, commentator, community leader, and faithful church member will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
David Elder, a beloved figure in the local sports community, sadly passed away on Monday, June 12, 2023, following an extended battle with illness. With a rich career primarily at Hickory High School, Elder dedicated his life to coaching high school football and girls basketball teams.
Born in Alexander County, Elder graduated from Taylorsville High School in 1963. He showcased his athletic prowess as a four-year football starter at Lenoir-Rhyne College, where he holds the impressive distinction of ranking 10th on the L-R pass reception record. Throughout his tenure in the NCHSAA (North Carolina High School Athletic Association), Elder taught and coached in five different high schools. However, it was at Hickory High School where he made his greatest impact.
Elder's coaching journey began with successful stints at West Lincoln, South Stanley, Lenoir, and West Caldwell high schools. Eventually, he joined Hickory High as an assistant in 1979, eventually ascending to the position of head football coach in 1994. Notably, Elder's coaching contributions extended beyond football, as he also served as a mentor for the women's basketball team at Hickory High. During his time at the school, his leadership led the women's basketball team to an impressive record of 418-129. Under his guidance, the team achieved remarkable success, winning three NCHSAA State Championships in the 1994-1995, 1997-1998, and 1998-1999 seasons.
Elder's football legacy was equally remarkable, spanning across five schools where he served as a head coach. Throughout his career, he amassed a noteworthy record of 143-71-1. Notably, his leadership at Hickory High resulted in the team clinching the NCHSAA 3A Football State Championship in 1996, triumphing over Ragsdale with a resounding score of 42-0. The Associated Press recognized his outstanding coaching abilities, naming him the State Coach of the Year for Football in 1996 and the State Coach of the Year for Girls Basketball in 1999.
In addition to his coaching endeavors, Elder enriched the sports community as a color commentator for Hickory High football and basketball games on WHKY from 2005 until the 2021 season. His final commentary was during a football game between Hickory High and West Iredell High School, a notable event as it marked the first-ever encounter between the two schools in football. Elder's contributions were not only acknowledged within the realm of sports but also earned him esteemed recognition. He was inducted into four different Hall of Fames in North Carolina, including the Lenoir-Rhyne Sports Hall of Fame in 2000, the Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame in 2007, the Alexander County Sports Hall of Fame as an inaugural member in 2012, and the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2017.
Beyond his involvement in sports, Elder actively participated in the community as an alderman for ward 4 in the town of Long View. He also devoted his time to Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hickory, where he was a valued member. David Elder's impact as a coach, commentator, community leader, and faithful church member will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
