Veteran educator, administrator, coach and United States Sports Academy alumnus Ray Canady Jr. has been named the athletic director at Irmo High School in Columbia, S.C.

Canady earned his Master of Sports Science degree in sports management from the Academy in 2004. He had served as the assistant athletic director at Irmo High School since 2017 and has worked as a social studies teacher there since 1994. He has also coached varsity baseball, junior varsity football and varsity football quarterbacks in his time at Irmo.

“Irmo is home to me, and I’m so proud to serve in the role of athletic director,” said Canady. “With a new head football coach and years of athletic excellence to build on, it’s a great time to be a yellow jacket. We’re excited to show the community what Irmo athletics is all about.”

Canady was a pitcher on Irmo’s 1987 state championship baseball team, then he earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies from Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C. and has also has received several awards in the field, including being named the South Carolina Baseball Coaches Association (SCBCA) Select Head Baseball Coach in 2017 and Regional Baseball Coach of the Year in 2003.

As a teacher, Canady holds a gifted and talented endorsement and is a member of several associations for educators. He began his career as a social studies teacher in 1993.

“Ray Canady has a legacy of experience at Irmo High School as a teacher, coach, and assistant athletic director since his employment in 1994,” Irmo High School Principal Dr. Robin Hardy said. “He has shown commitment to our vision, understands the culture of School District Five, and is eager to exceed the high expectations of the entire Irmo community.”