BANNER ELK, N.C. — Lees-McRae College President Lee King and Director of Athletics Ed Winters announced today the addition of baseball as the College's newest varsity sport and the hiring of veteran coach and professional scout Donnie Suttles as the inaugural head baseball coach. Suttles, the owner of Mountain Elite Sport, has extensive experience designing, planning, and building baseball and softball complexes throughout the Southeast region.
The addition of baseball marks a major expansion of the Bobcats' athletic offerings and reflects the College's long-term strategic vision for enrollment growth, regional engagement, and competitive excellence in NCAA Division II athletics.
"Starting a baseball program at Lees-McRae has been a long-term strategic priority for the College," said King. "Conference Carolinas is one of the premier baseball leagues in Division II, and we look forward to competing at the highest level. Donnie Suttles has proven himself as a player, coach, professional scout, and developer of talent. Most importantly, he is an exceptional person who will build our program with excellence, integrity, and a student-first approach. I cannot wait to see him get to work building Bobcat baseball."
Suttles, a three-time World Series Champion scout with the San Francisco Giants organization, brings nearly three decades of experience as a player, coach, scout, recruiter, and program builder to Banner Elk.
In addition to leading the baseball program, Suttles will play a vital role in the planning and fundraising development of the Bobcats' future baseball facility, constructed by August 2027.
"Adding baseball to Lees-McRae Athletics is a significant moment for our institution and the High Country," said Winters. "This sport has tremendous regional interest, strong recruiting potential, and aligns with our vision for strategic growth. We wanted a proven leader to build this program the right way from day one, and Donnie Suttles is exactly that person. His experience at every level of the game, commitment to student-athlete development, and deep recruiting ties make him the ideal leader for Bobcat baseball."
As owner of Mountain Elite Sport, a company specializing in athletic facility construction and development, Suttles has extensive experience in designing, planning, and building baseball and softball complexes throughout the Southeast region. His expertise will help guide the creation of a first-class home for Bobcat baseball.
Plans for the new baseball facility are already underway, with Suttles helping lead the design and construction process for both baseball and additional upgrades and enhancements to improve facilities for Bobcat softball. Both will enhance athletic infrastructure and support future growth
Suttles served as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Tennessee Tech University, helping guide the Golden Eagles to 14 Major League Baseball Draft selections during his tenure. Across his coaching career, players under Suttles' guidance accounted for 28 MLB Draft picks.
At T.C. Roberson High School in Asheville, North Carolina, Suttles built one of the state's premier programs, posting a remarkable 92–21 career record while producing five MLB Draft selections in four seasons. During his tenure, T.C. Roberson was consistently ranked among North Carolina's top five high school baseball programs by Baseball America from 2007–10.
Prior to T.C. Roberson, Suttles served as assistant football and baseball coach at his alma mater, McDowell High School, from 2004–06.
In addition to his coaching experience, Suttles has played a prominent role in baseball development across North Carolina through his involvement with Professional Baseball Representatives (PBR), serving as a North Carolina State Games coach and developing the North Carolina Pro Player Clinic for athletes and coaches.
Selected in the 12th round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft by the Cleveland Indians following his junior season at Western Carolina University, Suttles was recognized as the organization's most athletic player in the draft class. He earned Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year and Top Prospect honors in 1998 and teamed with future Cy Young Award winner CC Sabathia in a combined no-hitter.
At Western Carolina, Suttles earned Southern Conference Pitcher of the Week honors three times and was named Pitcher of the Year for the Rocky Mountain Rockfish in the Coastal Plains Summer League. He graduated from Western Carolina with degrees in Physical Education and Sociology.
Outside athletics, Suttles owns Big League Camp and Mountain Elite Sport and hosts the HOMESTAND Talk Show. He also serves as an elected member of the McDowell County Schools Board of Education and founded the USA Heroes League, an organization dedicated to supporting youth and community initiatives.
A two-time High School Coach of the Year, Suttles is a member of the McDowell High School Hall of Fame and the Professional Baseball Representatives organization.
"I'm honored and incredibly excited to build the baseball program at Lees-McRae College," said Suttles. "This is a special opportunity to create something meaningful from the ground up. We will build a program centered on player development, accountability, academics, culture, and competing for championships while representing Lees-McRae and the High Country the right way."
Suttles and his wife, Amy, recently celebrated 25 years of marriage. They have two children: Jayden, 24, co-owner of Mountain Elite Sport, and Maris, 19, a junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Additional information regarding recruiting, competition timelines, and future program updates will be announced in the coming months.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on X (@LMCBobcats), Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and Instagram (@leesmcraeathletics).
