Union County Public Schools is proud to honor Mike Helms from Parkwood High School as the 2024-2025 Athletic Director of the Year and Claire Lyerly from Weddington High School as the 2024-2025 Coach of the Year. Both honorees exemplify dedication, leadership, and a commitment to student-athlete development, making a lasting impact on their schools and communities.
Both were surprised with their awards during announcements. The celebrations were attended by students, staff and district leadership, adding a personal and heartfelt touch to the recognition.
Mike Helms: Athletic Director of the Year
With 29 years of service as a teacher, coach and athletic director in North Carolina, Mike Helms has left a mark on UCPS. A proud graduate of Parkwood High, Coach Helms has come full circle, now serving as the school’s athletic director. During his tenure, he also worked at Porter Ridge High School and Cuthbertson High School.
Coach Helms has an impressive coaching portfolio, including basketball, men’s tennis, JV baseball, volleyball, cross-country, and men’s and women’s golf. As a basketball coach, he boasts a record of 416-315 and twice led the Cuthbertson men’s team to state runner-up finishes.
Beyond coaching, Coach Helms has elevated the Parkwood High athletic department by enhancing its social media and website presence and improving its financial stability following the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, he serves as the club advisor for the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes student huddle. His dedication to education-based athletics is further highlighted by his status as a National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Certified Athletic Administrator.
"It is an honor to celebrate Mike Helms as our Athletic Director of the Year," said Nelson Garner, the district's director of athletics. "For years, he has exemplified the true spirit of education-based athletics, tirelessly serving our students and the entire Parkwood community. Coach Helms understands that high school athletics are about more than just winning; they are about developing character, leadership and building relationships that last a lifetime."
The Athletic Director of the Year program was established to recognize the critical role of athletic directors in creating successful programs for student-athletes. Athletic directors from all 10 high schools cast votes for their top choice, and the top three vote-getters participated in interviews with the Coach and Athletic Director of the Year committee, which selected the winner.
Claire Lyerly: Coach of the Year
Claire Lyerly has been a cornerstone of the Weddington High community since the school’s opening in 2000. As the head softball coach, she has led her team to numerous successes, including the 2024 Southern Carolina Conference championship and a thrilling run to the North Carolina 4A state championship game. The team finished the season with an impressive 21-5 record, narrowly missing the state title.
Over her career, Coach Lyerly has earned widespread recognition, including four conference Coach of the Year awards, as well as district and region honors. The Charlotte Observer and Enquirer Journal have also celebrated her achievements. Recently, she was awarded the North Carolina Governor's Office Laurel Wreath Award, granted to individuals in North Carolina who have made outstanding contributions to sports or athletics.
In addition to coaching softball, Coach Lyerly has served as the swim and dive coach at Weddington and currently holds the position of President of the North Carolina Softball Coaches Association. Her coaching philosophy extends beyond the field, focusing on teaching students resilience and life lessons through sports. Known for her ability to connect deeply with her players, she has created expanded opportunities for mentoring and personal growth.
"Getting this honor is super exciting, but I owe it all to the group of girls over there. I do it for them," said Lyerly. "It's really not an award for me but for them. I've played softball my whole life. It's a challenging game that is ever-evolving and I love it."
12/19/2024
