Coaching Staff
Chris Gilstrap
Varsity Head Coach
Chris is entering his fourth season as Head Coach of the Hawks and his eleventh season with the Hawks. In his second season as Head Coach, the Hawks compiled an overall record of 25-7. This included Hardaway’s first Region Championship (Region 1-AAAAA) since 2005 and a visit into the 2nd round of the state playoffs. The Hawks had another successful season in 2014 finishing the season 20-11, 2nd place in Region 1-AAAAA, and another 2nd round finish in the state playoffs. Chris played baseball at Hardaway from 1994-1997, including two state championship runner-up teams in 1996 and 1997. He brings a wealth of baseball knowledge and intensity to the Hardaway Baseball Program. Chris also serves as the Physical Education Department Chair.
Chris signed with Young Harris College out of Hardaway. After receiving All-American honors at Young Harris, Chris returned home to Columbus to play baseball at Columbus State University for Coach Greg Appleton. He was named All-Conference in 2001 and 2002, All-Region in 2002, and All-American in 2002. Chris was also a member of the Columbus State University 2002 NCAA Division II National Championship team. Chris still holds several records at Young Harris and Columbus State, including most hits in a season at Young Harris College with 100 in 1999. He was also named the 2002 Male Athlete of the Year by Columbus State University and was inducted into the Columbus State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014.
Chris is married to the former Constance Spivey of Columbus. They have two children, Abigail (6) and Jacob (3).
Varsity Head Coach
Chris is entering his fourth season as Head Coach of the Hawks and his eleventh season with the Hawks. In his second season as Head Coach, the Hawks compiled an overall record of 25-7. This included Hardaway’s first Region Championship (Region 1-AAAAA) since 2005 and a visit into the 2nd round of the state playoffs. The Hawks had another successful season in 2014 finishing the season 20-11, 2nd place in Region 1-AAAAA, and another 2nd round finish in the state playoffs. Chris played baseball at Hardaway from 1994-1997, including two state championship runner-up teams in 1996 and 1997. He brings a wealth of baseball knowledge and intensity to the Hardaway Baseball Program. Chris also serves as the Physical Education Department Chair.
Chris signed with Young Harris College out of Hardaway. After receiving All-American honors at Young Harris, Chris returned home to Columbus to play baseball at Columbus State University for Coach Greg Appleton. He was named All-Conference in 2001 and 2002, All-Region in 2002, and All-American in 2002. Chris was also a member of the Columbus State University 2002 NCAA Division II National Championship team. Chris still holds several records at Young Harris and Columbus State, including most hits in a season at Young Harris College with 100 in 1999. He was also named the 2002 Male Athlete of the Year by Columbus State University and was inducted into the Columbus State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014.
Chris is married to the former Constance Spivey of Columbus. They have two children, Abigail (6) and Jacob (3).
Michael Getkin
Varsity Assistant Coach
Mike is entering his 18th year of coaching high school baseball and his third year at Hardaway. Once again, he will be working with the pitching staff. He graduated from Rutherford High School in Panama City, Florida and received his BA from Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana. He was a 4 year letterman at Anderson while becoming All-Conference his junior and senior seasons.
Coach Getkin has been married to the former Pam Williams for the past 30 years and has a daughter and a son. He and Pam become grandparents last March. Mike enjoys spending time with his family, 5 dogs, and 2 cats when not coaching baseball.
Varsity Assistant Coach
Mike is entering his 18th year of coaching high school baseball and his third year at Hardaway. Once again, he will be working with the pitching staff. He graduated from Rutherford High School in Panama City, Florida and received his BA from Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana. He was a 4 year letterman at Anderson while becoming All-Conference his junior and senior seasons.
Coach Getkin has been married to the former Pam Williams for the past 30 years and has a daughter and a son. He and Pam become grandparents last March. Mike enjoys spending time with his family, 5 dogs, and 2 cats when not coaching baseball.
Sammie Mathis
Junior Varsity Head Coach
Sammie Mathis played three years of professional baseball, mostly in the Cleveland Indians Organization. A two-time ALL-AIC performer at Southern Arkansas University, Sammie signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1995 after being drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1991 out of high school and by the New York Mets in 1994.
From Sammie’s senior year in high school, to Southern Arkansas University to professional baseball, he posted a combined 54-12 pitching record. His career includes a High School Region Championship, two AIC Conference Championships at Southern Arkansas University, a New York-Penn League Minor League Championship with the Watertown Indians, and a division championship of the South Atlantic League with the Columbus Redstixx in 1996.
Sammie is an ordained Southern Baptist minister, currently serving as Lead Pastor/Communicator for Upatoi Baptist Church, and has served as team chaplain for the Columbus Wardogs Arena-Football team and the Columbus Catfish minor league baseball team.
Sammie began his college studies at Southern Arkansas University and finished his Bachelor of Science in Education in 2000 from Columbus State University. He completed his Master of Arts degree in Theology from Luther Rice University in December of 2008.
Sammie was previously head baseball and volleyball coach at Calvary Christian School and varsity pitching coach at Hardaway High School. He currently teaches Social Studies at Hardaway and serves as Head Coach of JV Baseball and Head Coach of Lady Hawks Softball. He also coaches his son’s travel baseball team, the County Dawgs out of Harris County.
Sammie and his wife, Jennifer, have been married for 20 years and have a son, Cole and a daughter, Chloe.
Junior Varsity Head Coach
Sammie Mathis played three years of professional baseball, mostly in the Cleveland Indians Organization. A two-time ALL-AIC performer at Southern Arkansas University, Sammie signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1995 after being drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1991 out of high school and by the New York Mets in 1994.
From Sammie’s senior year in high school, to Southern Arkansas University to professional baseball, he posted a combined 54-12 pitching record. His career includes a High School Region Championship, two AIC Conference Championships at Southern Arkansas University, a New York-Penn League Minor League Championship with the Watertown Indians, and a division championship of the South Atlantic League with the Columbus Redstixx in 1996.
Sammie is an ordained Southern Baptist minister, currently serving as Lead Pastor/Communicator for Upatoi Baptist Church, and has served as team chaplain for the Columbus Wardogs Arena-Football team and the Columbus Catfish minor league baseball team.
Sammie began his college studies at Southern Arkansas University and finished his Bachelor of Science in Education in 2000 from Columbus State University. He completed his Master of Arts degree in Theology from Luther Rice University in December of 2008.
Sammie was previously head baseball and volleyball coach at Calvary Christian School and varsity pitching coach at Hardaway High School. He currently teaches Social Studies at Hardaway and serves as Head Coach of JV Baseball and Head Coach of Lady Hawks Softball. He also coaches his son’s travel baseball team, the County Dawgs out of Harris County.
Sammie and his wife, Jennifer, have been married for 20 years and have a son, Cole and a daughter, Chloe.
GO HAWKS!!!
Pictured (Left to Right): Junior Varsity Coach Sammie Mathis, Head Coach Chris Gilstrap, Assistant Coach Greg Stotser
Not Pictured: Assistant Coach Mike Getkin
Not Pictured: Assistant Coach Mike Getkin