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A former softball coach, educator and mentor to hundreds of students and athletics in Rutherford County was honored recently when the Rutherford County Board of Education named the East Rutherford High School (ERHS) Lady Cavalier softball field in his honor.
Alan C. Carver was recognized during the Board's regular February meeting. The field will be the Alan C. Carver field and the sign is expected to be in place at the ballfield in mid-March.
"I am so honored and humbled," Carver said
His wife Debbie, friends, colleagues and former students/athletics attended the meeting.
"Carver is the reason the field exists today," said Laura Ray, head softball coach at East Rutherford.
"For several years he sold snacks to be able to construct a field to be used only for the purpose of girls football," Ray said in a letter to the Board of Education.
"The field has been an integral part of molding women's softball into what it is...the field that was used by numerous conference champions, regional champions, and the NCHSAA 2A State Champion. Without Mr. Carter, these accomplishments could not be reality," Coach Ray said.
Ray said she began coaching in 2013 and she asked Carver to be an assistant coach. He also provided for the softball team on numerous occasions from purchasing uniforms, equipment and other needs.
Ray also said "Mr. Carver can be seen at every home game, still to this day standing right by the dugout being ERHS softball's biggest fan.
"His support is unmatched and his dedication to this program is irreplaceable," she said.
East principal Tim E. Torvinen said Carver identified a need to give the softball field at East a major facelift.
"At the time when the fundraising efforts were beginning, the softball field had only a backstop, a home place and three bases," he said in a letter to the Board of Education.
Carver began raising funds to support improvements and within about one year, he had raised some $25,000 by selling snacks and seeking donations from the community. He raffled off his own pair of 1996-97 Charlotte Hornets vs Chicago Bulls basketball tickets featuring Michael Jordan to help with the fundraising efforts.
With the board of the Board of Education, the $50,000 needed to build the field was firmly secured, said Torvinen.
The new field was graded, dugouts were built and fencing installed as well as a new backstop.
Carver continued to support the softball program by donating funds necessary to purchase uniforms, secure equipment and furnish a new press box with heating and air.
"His regular attendance at home softball games only serves to underscore his genuine, longstanding, and passionate support of the program," said Torvinen.
He said Carver, a former teacher at East, has "distinguished himself as a loyal employee of the Rutherford County Schools."
The new softball sign designating the Alan C Carver Field is expected to be in place by mid-March.
Carver is also working along with the ERHS Booster Club to help raise money for a women's sports facility at East High to be used for female sports teams and female weight training classes.
For more information email laura.hopper@rcsnc.org or call 828-429-1975.
