Christian Rogers '09 Tackles 'Hefty Load' at Harrells
Christ School alum working for former nemesis in eastern N.C.
Christian Rogers '09 may be working near the North Carolina coast. His heart remains at Christ School. Rogers has pleasant memories of being a N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Shrine Bowl tight end for the Greenies football team. His junior and senior seasons came to an end in the NCISAA playoffs with losses to Harrells Christian Academy. Ironically, that school is where Rogers has landed as an Associate Athletic Director.
Question: What have you been up to since wrapping up your college football career at Campbell University and graduating in 2013?
Answer: After interning at Christ School (in 2015 and 2016), I was out in Lake Tahoe. I was Director of Residential Life (at California's Squaw Valley Academy) and really enjoyed my time there. It was the most beautiful place I've ever been in the United States. But I still have family in North Carolina and I was missing home. I started here at Harrells on July the 1st. I am Associate Athletic Director, also the Associate Director of Advancement focusing on Instagram, Facebook, and redoing our athletic website. I'm teaching first, second, and third-grade P.E. as well as middle school strength and conditioning. I'm the head JV football coach, special teams coordinator and coaching wide receivers. It's a hefty load. I love the school, I love the atmosphere. I'm used to these type of kids.
Question: The Asheville School-Christ School football game was last week. What are your memories of "The Game?"
Answer: I just remember my sophomore year. We lost to Asheville School at home on a windy day. We were a spread offense and the wind hurt us. We took it upon ourselves to never lose to those guys again, and we didn't. I remember coming back my junior and senior year, and winning. Everyone had a great game my junior year. I look back and think about the seniors and all the pranks they did. How the community was so close together. It's a magical time with good food and laughter. I miss Asheville School Week. It was some of my best times.
Question: And what about your time as a Christ School student?
Answer: I was different. I came from North Buncombe (a public high school near Asheville) where I had a great support system, but academically I needed to be pushed by a small student-faculty ratio. There's nothing wrong with public school, but sometimes you get lost in the crowd. You're never going to get left behind at Christ School. Kirk Blackard was my advisor for three years, and with him being the director of College Guidance, that was big time for me. It really helped me go out in the world on my own. I remember some of my teammates at Campbell struggling to stay eligible. For me, managing football around my classes was just another day because of Christ School. Another big aspect is the big alumni network you have. You never know where life is going to take you, and you'll really never know a stranger as a Christ School graduate.
