Southwestern Randolph HS makes changes: AD Chapman, Assistant AD Kiser swap spots

ASHEBORO — There are going to be some major changes at Southwestern Randolph High School in the fall and athletic director Chris Chapman said it was time for him to make one as well.

After beginning his athletic director tenure in 2015, Chapman said he is relinquishing his duties to Matt Kiser, although he will remain as Kiser’s assistant. 

Kiser has been acting as assistant athletic director the past eight years, so the two will just change titles.

“We’re going to have a whole lot of changes, a new principal, my son has graduated and it is time to let someone younger take over,” said Chapman, the son of longtime SWRHS athletic director Charlie Chapman. “Being here for this long and the COVID year, it just wore me down. I need to take a step back.”

Chapman, who has been at SWR for a total of 12 years, said he was proud to be in the position he was in.

“This is how I grew up, I grew up in this place,” Chapman said. “It was an honor to follow the footsteps of my dad. I brought three kids through here.”

Chapman said working in the same community he grew up in is special.  

“I’m biased because I am a Southwest guy,” Chapman said. “I grew up here. My kids went here. There are other great communities, but with this community and the staff and coaches we have, it made my job easier. This is the best community around.”

Kiser took over most of the AD duties this spring while Chapman coached golf. Kiser also coaches boys basketball.

Kiser knows what to expect as he moves from assistant athletic director to athletic director.

“Coach Chapman and I have worked together for years,” Kiser said. “It’s really nice having him in the office to help with the transition. Any time I have questions, he always has the answers. It’s nice to have someone with that experience I can lean on. It’s been a smooth transition so far.”

Kiser, like Chapman, grew up in the SWR community and is a graduate of the school.

“It’s a community I grew up in, I am passionate about it and I’ve always been passionate about athletics,” Kiser said. “It felt like the right time to step into this role. It’s exciting to keep our athletics growing and heading in the right direction.”

A veteran of 13 years at the school, Kiser said there have been surprises since getting into athletic administration.

“For me, it’s paperwork.” Kiser said. “I try to be a pretty organized person. It takes an organized person to do this job. There is a lot that people don’t realize. A lot of stuff is done behind a computer and that has been eye-opening for me the last few months.”