Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics

David Elder was a four-year starter on the football team from 1963 to 1966 and led the Bears to a pair of Carolinas Conference Championships.  Elder, who was named the team's freshman of the year in 1963, led the team in receptions three of his four seasons and was ranked 10th on the all-time pass receptions list wiht 76.  After graduating from Lenoir-Rhyne with a degree in health and excercise science in 1967, Elder has served a lifetime of coaching and teaching at area schools.  Elder is best-known for his work at Hickory High School, compiling a record of 418-129 in women's basketball and a 143-71-1 mark in football.  Elder also won four state championships with the Red Tornados:  three in women's basketball (1994-95, 1997-98 and 1998-99) and one in football (1996).  He was named Associated Press Coach Of The Year in 1999.  Elder was recently inducted into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame in 2017.