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Get Scouted Scouting CareersChuck Howard is excited about his new role with National Scouting Report.
Area Director of Charlotte, N.C., for the past 2 ½ years, Howard recently became State Director of North Carolina.
“It has re-energized me,” said Howard, 52, a longtime television and radio personality in the Charlotte area. “I no longer feel like I’m on an island. I now feel like I’m part of something much bigger.”
Charlotte used to be one of five NSR territories in North Carolina, along with Raleigh, Greensboro, Eastern and Western. When one of the territories recently opened, Howard approached NSR president Rusty Rigney about combining all of the territories under one umbrella.
“There were a lot of individual scouts working in individual territories,” Howard said. “I thought it was best to coordinate them all.”
Howard will be directing eight North Carolina scouts, six of whom recently joined NSR. The other two joined the company about a year ago.
“Each scout will be working in a specific geographical area, but they will not be bound to specific territories,” Howard said. “I thought having an open line of communication with the new scouts would not only be good for me, but could benefit the entire company.”
Howard said he is quite impressed with the quality of the new scouts, including a former Super Bowl champion; a well-known former professional tennis player; two former professional baseball players; and a prominent former college baseball coach.
“The pedigree of the people we are bringing on board is a great advantage to me,” Howard said. “They have hundreds of college coaching contacts. Not only will they help their own prospects, but they also will help mine.”
The North Carolina all-state scouting team includes:
Rusty Bumgardner, Softball (Gastonia/Charlotte/Hickory): Two-sport NCAA Division I recruit (baseball and football) out of high school. Received full scholarship to Wake Forest (1987-92). Four-year letterman in football. Played one year of baseball and became first American signee with the expansion Florida Marlins. After a brief stint in the minors, went on to play 23 years of Major Open Softball. During softball career, represented Team USA for three years (2009-11), won 25 Major World Championships, 35-time All-World Selection, inducted into three National Halls of Fame (USSSA-2006, WSL-2015, ISA-2015) and is scheduled be inducted into two more (NSA-2016 and ASA-2017) in the next two years.
Ken Carlyle, Baseball (High Point-Greensboro-Winston Salem-Raleigh): Former fourth-round draft pick of Detroit Tigers. Pitched seven of his nine seasons at Triple-A level with Toledo and Richmond. Still ranks No. 1 in wins at Ole Miss. Head coach at Greensboro College (2002-09), where he ranks second in career wins.
Randy Dillingham (Hickory): Long-time youth sports coach in the Hickory-Conover area. Former high school football standout works closely with many of the area’s youth leagues and has a keen eye for talent.
Jamin Elliott, Football, Track and Field (Charlotte, Gastonia, Lake Norman): Won Super Bowl ring with New England Patriots (2003). Sixth-round draft pick of Chicago Bears (2002). Two-sport All-America and Hall of Famer at University of Delaware. Led Delaware to America East Conference indoor track title in 1999 and outdoor title in 2000. Individually, won America East outdoor triple jump title in 2000, was three-time indoor runner-up and twice earned All-East honors. Set the UD indoor triple jump record (48-11) as a senior.
Robbie Garrett, Softball, Baseball, Basketball (Greenville): Graduate of Lynchburg College, where he was All-Conference his senior season. Coached at Lynchburg and several other Division II schools.
Gia Palacorolla (Eastern N.C., Outer Banks): Virginia Tech grad who has played competitive tennis. Accomplished equestrian rider throughout high school. Also worked as travel volleyball coach. Very active in informing student-athletes and their families about the importance of exercise and health.
Ben Sanderson, Baseball (Greenville, Raleigh, Fayetteville): Four-year letterman at East Carolina (2000-03). Went to four straight regional championship games and one Super Regional. Twice named All-Regional (Clemson 2002, Georgia Tech 2003). Coached two NCAA Regional teams (2007, 2008) and future MLB players Seth Maness (Cardinals) and Chris Heston (Giants). Spent four years coaching at Florida Atlantic University (2009-12). Went to one NCAA Regional, won two Sun Belt Conference Championships and coached future MLB pitcher RJ Alvarez. Coached two more seasons at East Carolina (2013-14).
Tim Wilkison, Tennis (Charlotte): No. 1 ranked junior tennis player in the United States. Played on ATP tour for more than 25 years. Left-hander won six singles titles, nine doubles championships and reached a career-high world singles ranking of No. 23 in September 1986. Perhaps best known for his diving volleys at Wimbledon that earned him the nickname “Dr. Dirt.” Best Grand Slam singles result came at 1986 U.S. Open, where he reached the quarterfinals. Owner and Director of Tim Wilkison Tennis Academies. Coached several top pro players, including Boris Becker and Roger Federer.
National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes who possess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.
I am the grandfather of a really good HS Softball player and an avid follower of the sport in the community. Until I met Randy Dillingham, I was not sure how I could help my granddaughter get the visability and exposure to future enhance her desire to play above the HS level. I met Randy Dillingham yesterday during a Carolina Hit-&-Run practice. I talked with him for over 30 minutes and he wholeheartedly believes in the NSR and what he can do for qualified athletes. He already knew my granddaughter which was a huge plus. I was impressed with his honesty and his dedication in helping young HS athletes get the exposure they may not otherwise get from College Coaches. No doubt, I will be discussing the opportunities NSR provides and look forward to working with Randy. Thanks NSR.