Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics

Joe Harold Rhyne has been a part of education and athletics in Catawba County for some 20 years as a teacher and coach.  A long-time resident of Newton, Rhyne attended Lenoir-Rhyne College from 1959-63.  During that time, he was a standout participant in football and track.  Like many football players of the day, Rhyne played both ways at times, but was primarily a defensive back.  In 1962, he received the Lee Kirby "Team Before Self" Award.  Rhyne was a tremendous track standout while at Lenoir-Rhyne and received high point honors for a season in 1961, 1962 and 1963.  In 1962, he was also named the Outstanding Spring Sport Athlete.  After graduation in 1963, Rhyne traveled to Lynchburg, Va., where he served as an assistant football and track coach and taught history at E.C. Glass High School.  He then enrolled at Appalachian State University and earned his masters degree under an assistantship program.  In that program, Rhyne taught physical education classes at Appalachian State and also coached track.  Rhyne earned his masters in 1965 and began working at North Forsyth High School in Winston-Salem, N.C., where he taught physical education and served as head track and cross country coach.   Rhyne then had long career at College Park Middle School, just off Lenoir-Rhyne's campus.  He served as athletics director and was a P.E. teacher and coached football, track and field and basketball.