by Joey Millwood
Over the last 10 years, Landrum athletics has seen much success.
That success was rewarded Sunday, July 22 as Landrum’s Athletic Director John Cann was awarded the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association State Athletic Director of the Year award.
Cann has served at the heart of the Cardinals’ past decade of success, but he is quick to point out that it wasn’t all about one person.
“I feel like I’m sharing this award with the whole staff,” he said.
Cann has led the Cardinal program through 10 years of prosperity. He’s starting his 11th year as the athletic director.
In the last decade, Landrum’s program has won 11 state championships, 19 upper state champions and 53 region championships. The Cardinals won the Herald-Journal General Excellence Award in 2007 after the baseball team and the softball team won state championships.
“He’s just a great athletic director,” Cardinal baseball coach Ray McCallister said. “He supports all of his coaches. He’s always there before we get there and he’s there after we leave.”
It’s the extra stuff, however, that makes him such a great athletic director, McCallister said. Cann will line the fields and help with eligibility amongst other things.
Another aspect of his job that Cann loves is the help he receives from the district office.
“They’ve given us the resources we’ve needed,” he said. “Who would ever want to leave the district with our facilities?”
More than anything, Cann is holding this award in high esteem because who awards the prize.
“I was shocked by it,” he said. “When it comes from your peers, it means a lot more.”
Last year was the final year the Cardinals would compete at the 1A level. Landrum moves up into the 2A classification for the upcoming season.