If adding experience to the athletic department was a high priority to administrators at first-year Newsome High, soccer coach James Felix likely was an easy choice.
Felix, a former assistant at the University of South Florida who also coached at Harvard and Boston U., was hired Thursday to coach the Wolves. He has coached Olympic development teams in New York and Massachusetts, where he is from, and owns an A License, the U.S. Soccer Federation's highest accreditation.
"I'm very excited about this one," Newsome athletic director Tyvan Lindbeck said.
Having coached a prep school to the New England final four several years ago, Felix said he's looking forward to working with high school players again.
"It's just a great situation to be in, and I'll be working with some great coaches," Felix said. "I'm looking forward to the challenge of a new program, building from the ground up."
Newsome also hired Julie Booth Hiscock, a former Durant volleyball player, as volleyball coach.
Hiscock, who played for Florida Southern and was an assistant at Plant City, helped lead the 1995 and 1996 Cougars to the state tournament. She also was named to the Class 4A all-state first team and Times all-county first team in 1996.
CRUMPTON COMMITS: Claire Crumpton, a 6-foot middle blocker from Plant, orally committed to play for North Carolina-Charlotte.
Crumpton, who will be a senior in the fall, was part of the 2001 and 2002 state champion Panthers.
