May 13, 1998

 Long to Succeed Fox at North Carolina Wesleyan

Rocky Mount, NC -- North Carolina Wesleyan College announced today that Charlie T. Long, Wesleyan College assistant baseball coach for the past seven years, would assume head-coaching duties July 1, 1998. Long replaces Mike Fox, who recently accepted the head baseball position at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Noting Long’s successful coaching contributions to the consistantly high-ranked Bishops, North Carolina Wesleyan President John White underscored the importance of the excellent baseball tradition at the Rocky Mount-based college. "Coach Long’s emphasis on attitude and discipline reflects the very best in NCAA Division III philosophy. He embodies that same desire, determination, and character that we seek to instill in all our student athletes. Charlie will ensure the continuation of what is one of the most impressive and successful small-college programs in the country."

Long is a cum laude graduate of Mount Olive College, and he received a master’s degree from Campbell University in educational administration. He joined the North Carolina Wesleyan Bishop’s coaching staff in 1991 after assisting with the Division I Campbell program which in 1990 won the Big South Conference title and advanced to the NCAA West Regional. Long served as interim head coach at Wesleyan in 1995, guiding the Bishops to the Dixie Conference title with a record of 34-12.

As a player, Long himself combined good hitting with excellent fielding. At Mount Olive, his career batting average was .371. He was voted his team’s most valuable player in 1987 and athlete of the year in 1989. In addition, he achieved academic honors in each of his college semesters.

Outgoing Coach Mike Fox emphasized his support of Long’s taking the reigns of Wesleyan baseball. "Charlie is an excellent choice to be the next baseball coach here at North Carolina Wesleyan. He has been a big part of the program’s success for the past seven years. Players have a lot of respect for him. He’s one of the best baseball people in the state of North Carolina. I look forward to following the success of the program for years to come."

Coach Long is married to Tamara Johnson Long, and the couple has two children (Zachary and Holly) and are expecting a third child this summer. They are members of Southside Baptist Church in Rocky Mount.

North Carolina Wesleyan is a private, four-year liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The College offers bachelor’s degrees in 23 majors to traditional students. The College also has extensive adult degree programs for working adults, with classes on the Rocky Mount campus, and at additional teaching sites in Raleigh and Goldsboro.

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