Pinecrest Academy Athletic Hall of Fame: Making History and Honoring History

9/21/2017

Pinecrest Academy made history on Friday, September 15th, by hosting its first Athletics Hall of Fame Football game to honor three outstanding multi-sport athletes: Christi Cassandra, Leanne Cassandra, Mike Metz, and the school's first Varsity Football Coach and Athletic Director, Charles Wiggins. The next night, Pinecrest, once again made history by inducting these four individuals into the inaugural 2017 Pinecrest Athletic Hall of Fame Class.

The football game itself was a loss for the Paladins, who rallied in the second half with some scores on the board. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to overcome the lead taken by The Walker School in the first half. Win or lose, we love our Paladins and support the team, Coach Mathis, and his coaching staff in this rebuilding year.

Saturday night, September 16^th, brought the Hall of Fame Banquet and an opportunity for Pinecrest Academy to honor the beginnings of its athletic tradition of excellence, by formally inducting the inaugural class of honorees. Father David Steffy, LC, Pinecrest President, offered an opening prayer and reminded everyone how blessed we are to be celebrating Pinecrest's 25th year.

Coach Chris Kane, Athletic Director, shared his story of bringing an Athletic Hall of Fame to Pinecrest as his "Labor of Love.” Coach Kane said that when he first became Athletic Director, he saw how other schools honored their athletes and thought it was time for Pinecrest to follow suit, now that we had graduated eleven high school classes.

Coach Kane then handed off the microphone to each of the presenters, who, in turn introduced the honorees. The presenter for both Christi Cassandra and Leanne Cassandra was Mr. John Oliver, long-time Pinecrest parent, parent of two alumni, and coach to both Cassandras being honored. The presenter for Mike Metz (now Deacon Mike Metz) was his father, Mr. Pat Metz, Sr., father of eleven, including five Pinecrest High School alumni, and five current Pinecrest students. The presenter for Coach Wiggins was Mr. Mike Drapeau, long-time Pinecrest parent, and father of three Pinecrest High School alumni. Coach Wiggins’ daughter also served as a presenter for her father.

Each presenter and honoree shared touching and funny stories from the beginnings of Pinecrest athletics. As a small school in the Georgia Independent Schools Association (GISA), our student athletes had to compete in more than one sport in order for our school to maintain an athletic program. The majority of the presenters’ stories shared were inspirational and spoke of sacrifice, gratitude, teamwork, and the glory of serving God.

In addition to most of the Metz, Cassandra, and Wiggins families, a number of long-time Pinecrest families were able to attend, including Bruce and Amy Camacho (Girls Volleyball Coach), Ray and Jill Lagomasino, Paul and Cheryl DePalma, Jerry and Laura Nix, Jay and Sharon Stubbs, Jay and Michelle Lynch, and Joe Neiner, Sr. Pinecrest current faculty and staff attending were Coach Terance Mathis, John Huynh, Erin McGraw, Regina Gore, Coach Terrance Vinson, and his wife Marlo.

Our Pinecrest Alumni were well represented by Rick Thompson Jr., who attended with his wife, Kaitlyn. Alumni Association President, Hannah Kelly '15, sent words of congratulations, as she was unable to attend. Other alumni we were proud to have in attendance included: RJ Lagomasino '08, Joe Neiner, Jr. '11, Matthew Stubbs '11 and his wife Jessie (McLaughlin) Stubbs '11, and their brand new future Paladin, Christopher James (PA Class of 2036).

Representing the future of Pinecrest were about a dozen students from Coach Kane's sophomore Advanced Placement European History, who volunteered to greet guests, serve soft drinks, and bus tables.

The first Hall of Fame Game and Induction Banquet are now part of Pinecrest history. We were proud to celebrate this inaugural class of honorees who left a legacy of excellence on the field and with the school as a whole. Next year, they will have an opportunity to vote on the next class of honorees as part of the Athletics Hall of Fame Nominating Committee.

Honorees

Leanne Cassandra '07:

Leanne was a three-sport star for the Pinecrest Paladins and a captain of the Varsity Volleyball, Basketball and Soccer teams. She was a two-time All Region and All State selection for Volleyball and Soccer, and was a three-time All Region and two-time All State selection for Basketball. She helped lead all three Paladin programs to the GISA State Playoffs in her senior season and won region championships in volleyball and soccer.

Christi Cassandra '08:

Christi was a standout basketball, soccer and volleyball player for the Pinecrest Paladins. She was a three-time All Region selection for volleyball and soccer and a two-time selection for basketball. She also received All State honors for all three sports. Christi helped lead the Paladin soccer program to two GISA Final Fours and still holds the Lady Paladin Basketball program record for rebounds in a career.

Michael Metz '08: Michael cemented his Pinecrest legacy in 2007 when he hit “The Shot” against Holy Spirit Preparatory School at the buzzer, which started an intense rivalry between the two schools. Michael was a three-sport star athlete at Pinecrest, a three-time All Region selection for football, and a four-time All State selection for basketball. He was also instrumental in helping to get the Paladin baseball program established.

Coach Charles Wiggins: Coach Wiggins was Pinecrest Academy’s first High School Athletic Director, and was also the first Varsity Head Football and Baseball Coach. He helped the Paladins build a powerhouse in GISA from 2004 through 2010. During that time, Pinecrest won four State Championships and sixteen Region Championships. As the Head Football Coach, Coach Wiggins led the Paladins to Region Championships in 2007 and 2009, and was also

selected as the Region Coach of the Year. While leading the football and baseball programs, 53 Paladin student-athletes garnered All Region Honors. Coach Wiggins also led the Paladin charge into GHSA in the Fall of 2010, where Pinecrest currently competes.