Earl Vaughan Jr., who previously served as social media coordinator for the N.C. Coaches Association, will be adding the duties of NCCA press coordinator effective immediately.
Vaughan replaces Jim Sands in the latter role. Sands stepped down from that position Monday.
“Though we’re disappointed that we lost Jim Sands to better paying ventures, we’re excited to welcome a man who is truly a legend in North Carolina’s high school sports journalism,” said Phil Weaver, co-executive director of the NCCA.
“His social media posts and newsletter column have already enhanced our brand,” Weaver added.
In his new position, Vaughan will handle all NCCA press releases and work with Heather Hirschman in the editing of the online programs for the annual East-West All-Star games.
Vaughan is a native of Fayetteville. He attended Swain County and West Rowan High Schools, graduating from the latter. He attended Catawba College and graduated summa cum laude with honors from UNC-Wilmington.
After briefly teaching English at South View High School he joined the sports staff at the Fayetteville Observer where he worked nearly 40 years, retiring in 2016.
He covered sports for Up&Coming Weekly and CityView Today after retirement before eventually signing on with the NCCA.
He is a member of the NCHSAA, Fayetteville Sports Club and George Whitfield Baseball Halls of Fame.
He won multiple N.C. Press Association awards as well as awards from other independent journalism contests.
