Hardee to join NC Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame
Cougar Head Coach has more than 400 high school wins
By D.N. PENNELL, Jr.
Alexander Central High School Baseball Coach Pete Hardee has been recognized by his peers for one of the most prestigious honors a coach can receive.
Next month, Hardee will be inducted in the North Carolina Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame during the 2018 Coaches Convention held in Greensboro. The induction ceremony for Coach Hardee is set for Friday evening, December 7, at Downtown Marriott in Greensboro.
Hardee joined the ACHS coaching staff in 2015 and has led the Varsity Cougar Baseball the past three seasons. Last spring, Hardee picked up his 400th career win in a Cougar victory over Western Harnett, which is coached by Coach Hardee’s son.
ACHS Coach Pete Hardee has 407 high school wins
In his career, Hardee has amassed a 407-317 high school coaching record as the bench boss at West Caldwell, New Bern, Watauga, and now Alexander Central. Prior to joining ACHS in 2015, Hardee spent 21 seasons in Boone as the head coach of the Watauga Pioneers.
Coach Hardee’s teams have captured 10 conference titles and earned 17 post-season berths.
In addition to coach high school baseball, Coach Hardee has served as the American Legion skipper for Caldwell County, New Bern, Watauga, and Taylorsville. He has compiled a 110-85 coaching record in legion baseball.
Hardee was a standout baseball player at New Bern High School and Appalachian State University. He is a member of the Hall of Fame at New Bern and ASU. He posted 21 pitching wins in the mound career at Appalachian State and posted an impressive 12-1 record in 1984. His 1.07 earned run average in 1984 was the second best in the nation. His effort resulted in All Conference, All-District, and All-American honors for the Mountaineer hurler.
Following his collegiate career, Hardee was a 22nd round draft pick of the Montreal Expos in 1984.
Coach, Where do we start. Congratulations to you for a job well done and a long over due honor being inducted in the NC Hall of Fame.
We are so blessed that both our sons Kevin and Keith were coached by you what seems like a lifetime ago. You always respected them and they respected you. Everyone knew you truly cared about all the boys and the team. You taught them what hard work and perseverance could accomplish. So thank you again for being a part of Keith’s best and happy years of his life. Before he passed away in 2009 he would ask about you and some of the boys on the team. He loved baseball, so thank you for giving all our family lots of wonderful and fun memories. We wish you all the best and keep on going. There alot of boys that need you. God bless, Richard and Janie Aldridge
You very much deserve this and many other awards for the time ,energy and sacrifice you give to all the young men you have coached and given life lessons to. I know Riley loved every minute being around you except the intentional walks that we still talk about today.