Former Berry College standout John Maupin will serve as the new Lee University men's golf head coach. He has also been named to direct Lee's first women's golf program. The announcement was made official by Lee VP of Administration Gary Ray and AD Larry Carpenter.
"This is really an exciting day for the Lee University Athletic program," said Ray. "We are thrilled to welcome John and Will to lead our golf programs. After enjoying a time of great success under coach Souther, we are pleased to add two outstanding young coaches who can continue to build on that tradition."
Carpenter quickly pointed out that "he was really excited about the future of our golf program. Coach Souther did an outstanding job of making our team one of the best in the country and I believe coach Maupin and coach Campbell will be able to continue that success."
"Women's golf has the potential to be a Top 20 program in a short period of time and I have confidence these two coaches will soon have them competing at that level," said Carpenter.
"We've used this coaching model in the past with tennis and soccer. Each sport had a head coach over both teams with an assistant helping out and enjoyed a tremendous amount of success."
Lee's athletic director singled out coaches Tony Cavett and Al Schuelke as having the tennis teams ranked in the Top 20 each year and John Bratcher and Henry Moyo being successful coaching both soccer teams for a few years ago.
Maupin completed his outstanding golfing career at Berry in the spring of 2007 and earned his degree in business management in December of the same year. He's currently working toward a master's degree.
The graduate of Centennial High School (Franklin, Tenn.) has strong ties to the Bradley County area. He attended Bradley Junior High and his father, Tom, was known as one of the top amateur golfers in the Tri-State area before transferring with the TVA to Franklin.
"I have been playing golf since I was 10," said the new Lee coach. "Always being around my dad, I could not help but pick up the game." And Maupin has no regrets. He played for three Centennial golf teams in state tournament competition and was heavily involved in junior golf for years.
At Berry, Maupin was All-SSAC and All-Region XIII. He helped the talented Vikings earn three trips to the NAIA National Tournament and one fifth-place finish. "Berry has enjoyed a lot of success in golf. They have won a national championship and have strong alumni support. They are a very structured program. I want to build the same thing here.
"I hope to bring some new energy and have a good impact on our golf teams at Lee," said Maupin. "These young people are at an impressible stage of their lives. I want to be not only able to help them on the golf course, but in their everyday lives with positive advise."
Maupin stressed that he was fortunate to be able to accept a coaching position at a college where the program has already been successful. "Lee has been in five straight national tournaments and coach Souther has built a solid program. I want to see us jump into the top five teams in the country. I think we have the resources to compete at that level. Our goal will be to reach that mark and be consistent."
The new Lee head coach will officially take over his new duties on July 1. "I'm ready to move forward and begin recruiting right now," he allowed.
CAMPBELL is no stranger to the Lee and Bradley County areas. He graduated from Lee in 1998 and coached basketball and golf at Walker Valley before moving to Atlanta. The new Lee assistant returned to Cleveland and was the golf coach and teacher at Ocoee Middle School this past year.
Campbell plans to continue his teaching duties at Ocoee Middle, but give up his coaching duties there. "I will assist John with the men and women's programs," he said. "I'll play whatever role John needs from me. I've been involved in golf since I was 11. I played in high school at Lithia Springs, Ga. and in a few matches for Lee."
The father of four sons says at the age of 32, he feels he can bring maturity and mentoring to the Lee golf teams. "I bring good people skills and a good understanding of young people to the program. I also feel like I have solid organizational skills. I'm really excited about serving in an assistant's role under John."