LASKER – There will be a new face on the sidelines when the Eagles take the football field this fall.

Northeast Academy has named Skip Cook head coach of the varsity football team.

Tim Marr will serve as Assistant Head Coach.

Cook has served as pastor of Elam Baptist Church since 1999.

He and his wife, Veanna, reside in Gumberry with their two children, Samantha and Daniel.

Cook is not new to the Eagles, as he has been with the Athletic Department for several years as coach of the varsity softball team.

This will be his first time coaching football at the varsity level.

Cook brings coaching experience to the Eagles’ sidelines as he coached a junior varsity team in the Police Athletic League (PAL) in Florida.

&uot;We played 10 games in PAL versus six games in junior high.

We also played four eight-minute quarters versus six-minute quarters,&uot; Cook said.

In addition to coaching experience, Cook has worn officials’ stripes.

He officiated for seven years in Florida and one year in North Carolina.

As Northeast heads into another year as a member of the Colonial Carolina Conference it will be looking to revive a football program that was winless in the 2003 campaign.

&uot;One challenge will be developing an excitement and desire to play and compete,&uot; Cook said.

&uot;I want them to play because they love the game,&uot; he continued.

&uot;They need to have confidence in order to play at their peak level.&uot;

Cook &uot;is easy to work with and is knowledgeable,&uot; Athletic Director Joella Brown said.

&uot;He and Tim will work well together and bring experience and enthusiasm to the program.&uot;

Practice may not begin until August 1, but Cook has been busy adapting the 11-man system he coached in Florida to the eight-man system he will coach at Northeast.

He has also assembled a coaching staff that brings considerable experience to the sidelines.

In addition to Marr, Steve Mize and Mickey McLean will be returning as assistant coaches.

Joining them will be Colin Watson and Thomas Jernigan.

&uot;The challenge will be to win week-in and week-out,&uot; Cook said.

&uot;Our focus will be on one game at a time.&uot;

The Eagles will kick off the 2004 campaign on August 20 when they host Wake Christian.