BOONE, N.C. – App State alum and current football staff member
Lance Ware was recently inducted into the Cleveland County Sports Hall of Fame in his hometown of Shelby, N.C.
Ware, who has served as the senior assistant to the head coach since 2019, has helped the Mountaineers reach three straight bowl games and two Sun Belt championship games, claiming two of three bowl trophies and the 2019 league crown.
As head coach of Shelby High School, he compiled a 99-25 overall record and five state championships with his high school alma mater from 2011-18. His teams went 33-3 in playoff games during his tenure.
"It's really special to be recognized for my coaching career in my hometown," Ware said. "Shelby has a rich tradition of great athletes and coaches, so it's quite an honor. I credit a lot of my success to Coach Jerry Moore and my experience as a player at App State, as well as my high school coach Jim Taylor.
"I've been two places in my career – Shelby and App State. Both places really feel like home, and I've been very blessed."
Ware was a standout offensive lineman at Shelby before serving as App State's full-time long snapper for three-plus seasons from 1992-96. After graduating in 1997, he was an assistant coach at Shelby from 1997 until his promotion to head coach in 2011. The Golden Lions won two state titles and reached five state title games while he was an assistant.
