Randy Eaton, former senior associate director of athletics at the University of Maryland, is the new director of athletics at Western Carolina University.

Western Carolina Chancellor David O. Belcher announced the selection of Eaton, who brings more than 20 years of athletics administration experience to the post.

Eaton’s appointment, effective Dec. 14, follows a national search conducted by a 14-member committee working with the assistance of Todd Turner of Collegiate Sports Associates, a North Carolina-based executive search consulting firm.

FHS varsity basketball teams expected to have fulfilling seasons

This sports season at Franklin High School has already been a memorable one, as the varsity volleyball and football teams shattered the record books during their respective fall campaigns. The trend continues this winter. Lindsay Simpson, who holds the record for most points scored at FHS, surpassed the 2,000 career points mark last Tuesday night against Pisgah.

The senior scored the first five of her team’s seven points in just four minutes to reach the milestone.The returning WNCAC player of the year and future WCU Catamount became only the 10th girls basketball player from WNC to break the 2,000 career points threshhold. She has scored 23 points in all three games this season.

In a matter of days, the Franklin High School Band will be heading to Jacksonville, Fla., to participate in the televised Gator Bowl parade and be part of the half-time show for Ohio State and Florida.

The band students and parents have been working very hard the past year to raise the needed funds for the trip, and are now trying to finalize the trip. The band is still in need of approximately $3,000 to finish out the transportation costs of the trip.

One of the greatest seasons in the history of FHS football ended last Friday night, as the Panthers fell to Burns, 28-14, in the third round of the state playoffs. It was a packed house in the Panther Pit, not an empty seat on either side of the stadium, as #1 Franklin hosted the #2 Burns Bulldogs. The Panthers fell behind early, trailing 21-0 until late in the second quarter, and could never quite catch up to the Bulldogs, concluding what has been a memorable fall sports season for Franklin High School athletics.

Head coach Josh Brooks knew his team had to be able to score if they were going to beat the Bulldogs. Burns’ offense was averaging just over 42 points per game since their only loss against South Point in September. Their defense has been stingy as well, holding opponents to just 12 points per game during that same time period.