The Paul D. Camp Community College Hurricanes are celebrating a new addition to the athletics department.

Clay Hyatt, a 2005 graduate of Franklin High School, has been hired to serve as head coach of the women’s and men’s soccer teams and campus life coordinator. The college announced plans in January to have the new teams in place for competition by the fall semester, which starts in late August.

Hyatt, also a 2009 graduate of North Carolina Wesleyan, where he played soccer, has worked with the City of Franklin Parks and Recreation Department for seven years as athletic specialist and is past president and founder of the Franklin Fire Soccer Club.

In addition, he has coached soccer for 10 years and has experience working with the United States Soccer Federation.

According to PDCCC Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach David Mitchell, Hyatt is currently recruiting for both soccer teams.

“We are extremely pleased to bring Clay on board at PDCCC,” Mitchell said. “He has the skills and expertise to hit the ground running. Implementing soccer will really help move the athletics department forward.”

The sports program has quickly picked up momentum, and enrollment has already increased since 2017 when the baseball program was created. The community saw softball implementation and the hire of Coach Carrie Hoeft following soon after in 2018. The addition of soccer is projected to increase full-time enrollment by 50 more students.

In addition to practice, class assignments and game commitments, the PDC Hurricanes are engaged in additional activities that build teamwork, leadership and fundraising skills. They serve as role models for local youth.

For more information regarding PDCCC athletics, contact Mitchell at 569-6767 or dmitchell@pdc.edu or visit www.pdc.edu.