College football

Catawba head coach Curtis Walker announced Marco Butler has rejoined the football staff and will serve as the defensive coordinator.

In addition to his coordinating duties, Butler will coach the cornerbacks.

Butler was with Catawba in 2017, when he also coached the cornerbacks. That season, the Catawba Indians (9-2) posted a dozen interceptions and 44 pass breakups. The secondary allowed just six touchdown passes and limited teams to a 47-percent completion rate.

Over the past two seasons, Butler coached at Gardner-Webb University. In 2018, he coached outside linebackers and cornerbacks in 2019 as well as special teams.

Butler has nearly 20 years of coaching experience, including Division I stops at Hampton (2014) and Norfolk State (2005-2013). Butler also has college coaching experience at Division II Fayetteville State. He also served as head track and field coach at Fayetteville State in 2004-2005.

Butler played receiver and defensive back at Western Carolina. He graduated in 2000 with a degree in sports management and a minor in marketing.

Butler and his wife, Shauna, have two children, a daughter, Eva, and a son, Marco.

NCHSAA

The NCHSAA held a press conference on Wednesday.

There were no definitive announcements. The NCHSAA said it’s still too early to say what will happen with fall sports. A number of plans are being discussed.

Rowan-Salisbury schools resumed limited athletic activities on July 6. Davie also has started limited activities. The majority of school systems in the state, including Cabarrus and Kannapolis, don’t plan to start for several weeks.

International baseball

Former Catawba slugger Jerry Sands hit his 2nd homer of the season on Sunday in Hanshin’s 8-3 win at Hiroshima.