Blythewood names new Athletics Director

BLYTHEWOOD, SC – The Richland District Two School Board voted Tuesday to approve Barry Mizzell as the new Athletic Director at Blythewood High School.  Mizzell will take over for Vince Lowry, who has served as the Athletic Director since the school opened in 2005.  Mizzell, one of Lowry’s first coaching hires at Blythewood High School, has served as the school’s baseball coach since its opening.  Mizzell’s hiring came after a lengthy search process with numerous applicants.

Mizzell has been employed in the district since he started at Richland Northeast High School in 1992.  A physical education teacher, Mizzell also served as a football coach and head baseball coach while at Richland Northeast.  Mizzell’s baseball teams at Richland Northeast won six region championships and the 2001 AAAA State Championship.  Mizzell also served as interim Athletic Director for the Cavaliers in 2004.  His success on the baseball field continued at Blythewood, as Mizzell helped build the Bengals into one of the top programs in the state.  Blythewood earned five region championships under Mizzell, including four-straight from 2011 to 2014.  The Bengals played in the state championship game in 2013.   Mizzell has multiple Coach of the Year honors at the region and state level and was selected as an All-Star coach in 2000 and 2012.

Mizzell also coached football at Blythewood when the school first opened, serving as Assistant Head Coach under Jeff Scott.  Mizzell helped coach the team to the 2006 AAA State Championship in its first year of varsity competition.  He is currently serving as the head of the Physical Education department.  He leaves his position as baseball coach with an overall career record of 480-243.

Mizzell earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Baptist College (now Charleston Southern University) where he was a member of the baseball program.  He and his wife, Deanna, are longtime residents of Blythewood.  The couple’s two adult children, Chelsea and Chaz, each graduated from Blythewood High School.

“I’m very excited to be in a position to work for all of our teams on campus,” said Mizzell about the promotion.   “Being here since the school opened, I’ve been able to see the growth in all of our programs over the past 11 years.  I’m looking forward to doing what I can to help that growth continue”.

Blythewood’s principal, Dr. Brenda Hafner, is also looking forward to Mizzell’s impact on the school’s athletic department.  “Coach Mizzell brings a great deal of experience and leadership to his new position and we’re excited about the opportunities his selection will bring,” said Hafner.  “Our first 11 years have brought a great amount of success, on the field and in the classroom.  We’re looking forward to Coach Mizzell continuing that tradition of academic and athletic excellence.”