David Davis

Not only did David Davis excel at one sport during his time as a student athlete in Rutherford County, he did it in three: Football, Basketball and Baseball. He won numerous awards during his career as a R-S Central Hilltopper from 1978-82, including being named as team MVP in each of the three sports his Senior season. After graduation, Davis went on to put up impressive numbers in football at three different colleges and then had a successful high school basketball coaching career.

The awards and accolades started rolling in for Davis during his Junior season for the Hilltoppers. In football, Davis earned All-Conference honors on both sides of the ball as a Free Safety and Wide Receiver. In addition, Davis garnered All Rutherford County and All-Region accolades as a Free Safety after pulling down seven interceptions.

Davis equaled those numbers as a Senior. He recorded 7 more interceptions, once again earning All-County and All-Region honors. In addition, Davis was named to the All-State Team, an Adidas All-American and played in the East-West All-Star game.

Davis also put up impressive numbers on the basketball court, leading the Hilltoppers by averaging 18.1 points per game and led the baseball program with a .389 batting average as a Senior. Consequently, Davis was named as team MVP in all three sports for the Hilltoppers and Rutherford County Athlete of the Year in 1982.

After concluding his career in Rutherfordton, Davis played football at NC State University for one season and made the All-ACC Freshman Team. Davis transferred to Taft College in California where he was a part of the 1984 Junior College National Championship. During that season, Davis rewrote the record books with the most catches in a single game (10), most yards in a single game (201) and most touchdown catches in a single game (3). Davis finished that season with 798 total yards. As a result, he was named as a JUCO All-American and inducted into the Taft College Hall Of Fame.

Davis attended Baylor University to finish his football career where he helped the Bears win a pair of Bowl games. He was named the Southwestern Conference Newcomer of the Year in 1985 and finished his career at Baylor averaging 19.2 yards per catch. His exploits on the college gridiron earned Davis an invite to the Houston Oilers training camp.

After his playing career was over, Davis turned his attention to coaching high school basketball. He began his coaching career as an assistant at East Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte before becoming the head coach at Olympic High School from 1994-2000. He also coached at Trinity Prep in Florida from 2009-13.

Davis was named the head coach of several renowned high school basketball showcases over the years, including the Nike Hoop Summit, The Pittsburgh Hoops Classic and the Senior Showcase National All-Star game where he also served as the game’s Director for five years. In all, Davis coached over 24 college players, including a pair of All-Americans during his career.

“It’s very humbling to be elected into the Rutherford County Sports Hall Of Fame,” Davis said. “I’m in my Junior College Hall Of Fame and I thought that was a big deal, but when you are recognized by your peers in your hometown as one of the best athletes, it is amazing. To be part of this group is truly exciting.”