CHS senior golfer John Parigger signs a National Letter of Intent with Freed-Hardeman University on Tuesday surrounded by family and coaches. Front Row – left to right – Chris Parigger(father), John Parigger, Natalie Parigger(mother). Back Row – left to right – Marshall Gilliam(CHS assistant golf coach), Mike Ray(CHS head golf coach), Chris Hodges(Freed-Hardeman golf coach)
“Not only is (Freed-Hardeman University) getting a great athlete, a great student and a great golfer; they are getting a great young man.” Those were the words of Mike Ray, head golf coach at Coffee County Central High School on Tuesday as senior John Parigger signed a national letter of intent to play his college golf at the Henderson, TN university. Parigger, the first 2 time state tournament participant for the boys’ golf program at Coffee County, becomes the 16th athlete to sign to play college golf in the last 9 years from CHS and the 21st student athlete to receive a college scholarship offer in that time frame.
The Freed-Hardeman Lions compete in Division 1 of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Chris Hodges is the coach at Freed-Hardeman and is in his 3rd year at the helm of the Lions and Lady Lions programs. When asked what would make John a successful college golfer, Coach Hodges had this to say “What caught my eye about John is his calm demeanor on the course. He never seemed to lose his composure no matter the situation.” Coach Hodges went on to say that he was also impressed with John’s character and overall athleticism. “We want good kids who are good athletes. I have never recruited a 2 sport athlete for golf and was amazed that John considered swimming (for the high school swim team)” added Hodges. In addition to playing golf, John was the starting goal keeper for the CHS soccer team this spring.
When asked why he chose Freed-Hardeman, John was quick to point out that he loved the campus, the coach and the Christian atmosphere. John is also looking forward to reuniting with a pair of former teammates as Hayden Proffitt and Trey Lashlee are members of the Lions golf team. Proffitt was a member of the 2016 recruiting class who graduated from Coffee County last year. Lashlee began his career at Coffee County before transferring to Middle Tennessee Christian where he graduated this past spring as well. “I know that having them there will help me a lot (in the transition to college)” said Parigger.
