Alumni Athletes at the Next Level

alumni athlete

Ballard Plays Football at Northwestern State University

Stevie will be familiar to our cougar community because he attended Central Hinds Academy starting in 4th grade and continuing until his graduation in 2019. As a cougar he participated in football, track, and tennis. After graduation, Stevie first attended and played at Louisiana Tech University for two years and then transferred to Northwestern State University where he is currently playing as number 71 at the position of offensive lineman for the Demons. He is a recent graduate in Health and Human Performance and is currently working towards his master's degree in Sports Administration. When asked how his time at CHA prepared him for his current successes he says "I was prepared by all of the staff to become a student, competitor, and upright man through classes, sport participation, and extracurricular activities on campus. Specifically, Amanda Hearn taught me how to study and learn which I still use today. Jay Reeves taught me how to be a competitor and carry myself as a man should." When asked about his future plans Stevie says "I plan to work with athletes as a strength and conditioning trainer at a private gym". Please join us in wishing Stevie and the NSU Demons good luck and much success in the upcoming season. We hope that all alumni will update their information so that we can continue to celebrate the successes of our Cougar community.

alumni athlete

Nicholas Lauderdale plays at MSU

Nicholas attended CHA beginning in 6th grade until he graduated in 2019. He was a multi-sport athlete participating in football, tennis, track and soccer. He received many awards including track MVP and football All-District. He also currently holds school records for the 400m, long jump, and triple jump. When asked about his time at CHA he says that being at a smaller school allowed him to participate in multiple sports which helped him excel in football. He also mentions former cougar "Coaches Bobby Barrett, Lance Teasley, and Zach Miller who taught me work ethics and perseverance. Those three coaches always had faith in me and never gave up on me." After high school Nicholas attended Hinds Community College where he was awarded Team Player of the Week for Special Teams twice and National Player of the Week for Junior Colleges as well. He then spent time at Belhaven University before transferring to Mississippi State University where he currently plays tight end. While at MSU Nicholas is studying Kinesiology. When asked about his future plans he says "I would like to become a personal trainer and open a facility in western Hinds County for young athletes that aspire to further their athletic career to the next level." We know that college athletes work especially hard balancing both academics and sports. Join us in congratulating Nicholas and wishing his Bulldogs a great 2024-2025 season!

alumni athlete

Jackson Dollar Pitches at Campbellsville University

Jackson Dollar attended CHA during his 10th-12th grade years of high school graduating in 2021. While at Central Hinds, Jackson played for the cougars on both baseball and basketball teams. After graduation he first attended Holmes Community College and is now a pitcher for the Tigers of Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, Kentucky where he is majoring in History with a minor in Athletic Coaching. He says that his time at CHA helped him meet the right people to get him where he is today. He specifically mentions Coach Chad Bradford who he says "basically taught me to pitch sidearm and we still communicate even now in college". We at CHA are so proud of all of our alumni and their accomplishments. We know that college athletes work especially hard balancing both academics and sports. Join us in congratulating Jackson and wishing his Tigers a great 2024-2025 season!

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