WEST COLUMBIA, – Dr. Newsome and Gray College Academy (GCA) are proud to announce the hiring of four new leaders in the athletics department. 

Boys’ Basketball

Dion Bethea will rejoin the school as head coach of the boys’ basketball program. Under Bethea’s leadership, GCA earned and won six Class 2A state championships in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024. During his first tenure, GCA won 273 games and Bethea coached five 2A Players of the Year. He spent this past season as an assistant coach with the men’s basketball program at Georgia Southern University.

Dr. Brian Newsome, Principal at GCA, said “They say there’s no place like home. Gray is proud to welcome back Dion to lead our boys’ basketball program again. He built this program from the ground up and we are excited for our future with Dion as our leader.”

Competitive Cheer

The competitive cheer program will have a new head coach, as GCA hired Katie Nunnery to lead the team. GCA has won three consecutive state championships; two in Class 2A and one in Class 4A. Katie has a superb record as a competitive cheer head coach, winning three state championships at Dutch Fork High School in 2014, 2016, and 2017. Katie has been honored as the State Coach of the Year by the South Carolina High School League and the Sectional Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Association.

“Gray is extremely excited to welcome Katie to our school as our next competitive cheer head coach,” said Dr. Newsome. “Katie has a championship pedigree and has been recognized as one of the most outstanding coaches in competitive cheer. We cannot wait to see what Katie and the competitive cheer team have in store for next season.”

Strength and Conditioning

Erik Schwager will join GCA as the Director of Strength and Conditioning. Erik is a nationally certified and experienced coach at the collegiate level, most recently leading the strength and conditioning department at Charleston Southern University. Erik has previously worked with minor league professional baseball players and held roles at Kansas State University, Northwestern State University, Newberry College, Limestone University, and the University of Hartford.

Dr. Newsome said, “We are pleased to welcome Erik to Gray. I have a special place in my heart for Charleston Southern University (CSU), since I am an alumnus and proud graduate.  When I saw Erik was interested in this position, it made me proud.  His experience working with a variety of student athletes in different sports at the collegiate level will help elevate Gray’s strength and conditioning program across all programs. We look forward to Erik’s contributions as an important part of our athletic leadership team.”

Collegiate Academic and Athletic Liaison

Katie Clampitt has been hired as GCA’s Collegiate Academic and Athletic Liaison. In the role, Katie will assist students as they enter the new landscape in collegiate athletics at all levels. This will include ensuring students meet NCAA and NAIA eligibility requirements, helping them create positive social media presences, preparing videos for college recruiters, and navigating financial aid pathways. Katie is a lifelong educator with extensive involvement in girls soccer programs.

“Gray is excited to welcome Katie into this critical role to support our students,” said Dr. Newsome. “This is a new position for Gray that I have envisioned for years.  College athletics are rapidly changing, and our students should have all the support we can provide for them so they can reach their full potential. We look forward to the support Katie will build in the months ahead to give our students as many opportunities as possible to further their academic and athletic aspirations.”