GREENSBORO – East Bladen Coach Jay Raynor has been named as head coach for the East boys’ soccer team for the 2022 East-West All-Star game that is sponsored by the North Carolina Coaches Association. The game is scheduled for July 12th.
“It is definitely an honor, and when you look at the coaches who have been chosen before me I am humbled,” said Raynor. “I am excited about the opportunity, but being named for this honor was never a goal of mine.”
Raynor has worked with the East Bladen soccer program since his graduation from Campbell University in 2007 serving first as an assistant coach under his father, Dr. Ray Cross, then becoming head coach of the boys program in 2011.
Raynor has been head coach of the East Bladen girls program since it began. Dr. Cross has served as his assistant in both of his head coaching roles. The East Bladen boys own a 129-66-14 record under Raynor and have won 3 of the last 4 Three Rivers Conference championships. The girls have won the last 3 TRC championships and are 142-100-2 under Coach Raynor.
“I am following in the footsteps of Coach (Patty) Evers who has been a great mentor to me,” stated Raynor. “I have had some great teachers who have shared stuff with me such as (football) coaches Lenon Fisher and Robby Priest, and (the late baseball coach) Russell Priest. I am thankful to God for putting them around me.”
Coach Evers served as a coach in the 2010 East/West Women’s Basketball All-Star game and also was the North Carolina head coach in the 2019 Carolinas Classic All-Star game. Coach Fisher coached in the 1992 East/West Football All-Star game, and Coach Robby Priest coached in the 2019 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas All-Star Game.
“The work ethic of the East Bladen kids and the great support that we have received from their parents and the community has been a key reason for our success,” said Raynor.