Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics

The late P.W. "Pete" Deaton actually had a number of outstanding careers - in athletics, education and public service. Deaton was a baseball star even before Lenoir College became Lenoir-Rhyne.  He played the outfield, first base and caught for some great teams in the ealy 1920's that were acknowledged to be among the best collegiate clubs in North Carolina.  He recorded a whopping .380 batting average for his four-year career and later signed with the Pittsburgh Pirate organization.  Deaton played in the Western Carolina, Carolina and Florida State Leagues and was also a baseball administrator, serving as president of the Western Carolina League for a time.  A career in public service followed Deaton's 18 years of education.  He was a teacher at Westmont School in Hickory for 12 years and then served as principal of Green Park for six years.  In 1944, he decided to run for public office and was elected Clerk of Superior Court of Catawba County - a position he held until 1966, when he retired after being known as "Mr. Courthouse."