DEMOREST — Piedmont College will honor a legendary former athlete and coach on "Maxie Skinner Day," during a basketball double-header on Saturday at the Johnny Mize Athletic Center in Demorest.
Skinner grew up in Demorest and graduated from Piedmont in 1956 as the college's first NAIA All-America basketball player. He scored more than 2,000 points during his Piedmont career, and in his senior year averaged 32.8 points per game-before the 3-point era. Skinner was also a standout on the baseball diamond for the Lions.
As part of Maxie Skinner Day, the Piedmont women will tip off against Ferrum College at 2 p.m., followed by a special ceremony honoring Skinner's time as a player and coach at Piedmont. The Piedmont and Ferrum men will then play at 5 p.m. Admission is free to all games.
Skinner graduated from Piedmont with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. He coached baseball and football at Toccoa High School before a two-year stint in the U.S. Army. In 1959 he returned to northeast Georgia to coach for 19 years at Banks County High School, where he was a three-time Coach of the Year.
Skinner served as director of the Habersham County Parks and Recreation Department from 1978-1984, before returning to Piedmont as athletic director and men's basketball coach for nine years. During his tenure as athletic director, he also coached the Piedmont women's basketball and softball teams, as well as the golf team.
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