Star-studded Warhorse Classic honors Jim LeVine

Roy Williams, Brad Johnson and generations of Owen faithful join fundraiser at Black Mountain Golf Course

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
July 29, 2022

The hall of fame coaching career of Roy Williams began on the gym floor and football field of Owen High School. On July 29, the retired three-time national champion spent a day in the Swannanoa Valley honoring the man who gave him that opportunity. 

The 34th Annual Warhorse Classic, a golf tournament that raises money to support the Owen Warhorse football program, returned to the Black Mountain Golf Course for its 34th year. The event, organized by retired football coach Kenny Ford and sponsored by the Black Mountain Men’s Golf Association and Pepsi, was dedicated to Jim LeVine. 

LeVine, who passed away in January of 2021 at the age of 87, was a physical education teacher, driver's education instructor, athletic director and coach during his career at Owen. The former Black Mountain High School star athlete, who went on to coach generations of Warhorses, hired Williams to lead the school’s basketball program in 1973.

“I came in and fell in love with that guy,” Williams said of LeVine. “Everything I did for five years, I always wanted to have his opinion and approval. I loved his love for the kids and Owen High School.”

Williams left Owen to join Dean Smith’s staff at UNC in 1978, winning a national championship as an assistant coach with the Tar Heels in 1982. The Marion native left UNC in 1988 to lead the Kansas program, which he led to four Final Four and two national championship appearances.

In 2003, he returned to his alma mater and led the Tar Heels to NCAA National Championships in 2005, 2009 and 2017.

“There’s no way Roy Williams would’ve been able to go on as an assistant college coach and head coach, and win some games, if hadn’t been for the guidance of Jim LeVine,” Williams said in a speech to open the tournament. “Owen High School and Black Mountain will always be special places to me, and if you love the Warhorses, I love you.”

Ford presented Anne Marie LeVine, who was married to Jim for 62 years, a framed photo of the Warhorse statue that sits near the entrance of the school.

Former Owen All-American and Super Bowl winning quarterback Brad Johnson also participated in the tournament. Johnson, who led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 48-21 victory over the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII, was an All-State basketball player for the Warhorses before graduating in 1987.

Local leaders, including Mayor Larry Harris, Town Councilmember Archie Pertiller, Jr. and Black Mountain Police Chief Steve Parker were among the 120 golfers who played in the fundraiser. Previous Black Mountain mayors Carl Bartlett and Mike Sobol, along with former town council members Maggie Tuttle, Tim Raines and Jennifer Willet participated in the event, as well.

“We got a great crowd out here today,” said Ford, who began organizing the tournament to help offset expenses for the football team when he began his 29-year coaching career at his alma mater. “We had to take a couple of years off, but I know Coach LeVine would be thrilled to see so many people out here supporting Owen football.”

Ford, who retired in 2015, was one of three Warhorse head football coaches at the tournament. Nathan Padgett, who coached the team for six seasons, played in a foursome that included his brother, retired Black Mountain Police Chief Steve Padgett; retired Owen Athletic Director Anthony Lee and former Owen softball head coach and current Emma Elementary physical education teacher, Jenny Johnson. Zach Gibson, who was named head coach of the Warhorse football team in April, also attended the event.

The tournament, a four-person captain’s choice, began at noon, as teams competed in three divisions. Awards were given to the top two teams in Offense, Defense and Special Teams, and a raffle and auction were held to raise money for the Warhorse football team.

“There is a lot of Warhorse pride right here in this community,” Ford said. “It’s a bond shared by generations of folks who grew up here, and it feels great to see everybody come together for this program. I can’t thank the Swannanoa Valley enough for all the support it has shown, and continues to show, for Owen football.”