Hickory Metro Sports Commission

04/30/2026

2026 Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Lexi Shubert Wilson threw out the first pitch at the April 19 Hickory Crawdads game.

The 2026 Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Presented by Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet, will be held on Monday, May 11 being at 6:00pm. The ceremony will be held at the Highland Recreation Center in Hickory.

04/09/2026

Congratulations to Alexander Central Athletics Baseball for winning the 2026 Catawba County Easter Baseball Classic presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods.

04/04/2026

Tournament action kicks off on Monday! So you still have the weekend to get Tournament Ready.

Need stadium seats, maybe a hoodie for the cooler days or nights. Maybe some tailgate equipment?

Then head on over to Dick’s Sporting Goods our Tournament Sponsor they have all your Sporting needs.

You heard Tom Brady

Dick’s is the GOAT!!!!!!!

04/02/2026

Tournament time is drawing near fast
⚾️🥎⚾️🥎⚾️🥎⚾️🥎⚾️🥎⚾️🥎⚾️🥎

04/02/2026

04/01/2026

03/21/2026

The Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame welcomes the 1966 Hickory High School Football Team as its 2026 Team of Distinction.

The 1966 Hickory High School football team was one of the most powerful teams produced by the team. The team finished 9-0-0 in the Northwestern 3A Conference; 10-0-0 in the regular season; 12-0-0 overall in winning the Western North Carolina High School Activities Association title. At that time, a statewide football championship was not played. The team finished the 1966 season ranked #1 in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s final statewide poll.

During the 1966 season, the offense scored 465 points (38.75 points/game) while the defense gave up only 56 points (4.66 points/game). The team rushed for 3,881 yards which was a school record at that time.

Quarterback Hal Queen passed for over 700 yards with 16 touchdowns in the air and 9 more on the ground. Mike Mallon (Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame Member) rushed for 1,441 yards and 23 touchdowns. Richard Dellinger punted for a 39 yard average. Ray Barger established a new school and state kicking record with 56 PAT (Points After Touchdown).

Frank Barger (Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame Member) was named the North Carolina Coach of the Year.

Six (6) players were named All-State - Ray Barger, Richard Dillinger, Mike Mallan, Jimmy Price, Hal Queen, and John Thompson.

Two (2) players were named to the 1966 East-West game and the 1966 Shrine Bowl - Richard Dillinger.

The 1966 Hickory High School Football Team, along with five (5) individuals, will be inducted into the Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame in a ceremony scheduled for Monday, May 11 beginning at 6:00pm. The induction ceremony will be held at the Highland Recreation Center, located at 1451 8th Street Drive NE in Hickory.

All players from the team interested in attending the induction ceremony can contact Mack McLeod, via telephone at 828.358.7714 or email at [email protected].

Tickets are $40.00 per person and includes a catered meal. Reserved tables will be available for the team.

Congratulations to the 2026 Team of Distinction - 1966 Hickory High School Football Team.

01/05/2026

Congratulations to Jace Blocker from the Hickory High Red Tornadoes for winning the Tom Watson MVP Award for the 38th Annual Dick's Sporting Goods Classic.

01/05/2026

Congratulations to Khiara Culliver from the Maiden High Lady Blue Devils for winning the Tom Watson MVP Award for the 38th Annual Dick's Sporting Goods Classic.

01/03/2026

DAY 3 Photo Highlights from the 38th Annual DICK'S Sporting Goods Classic and CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES!

01/03/2026

DAY 2 Photo Highlights from the 38th Annual DICK'S Sporting Goods Classic.