Midway High School principal Monty Strickland said Wednesday that plans have been approved by the Sampson County Schools to name the Raiders’ football stadium in honor of former coach Tommy Sloan.

Strickland noted that community leaders Kenny Godwin, Connie Godwin and W.H. Calcutt had been instrumental in the process of recognizing Coach Sloan with the naming of the site, where he coached for the latter portion of his career.

Sloan coached Midway from 1973 to 1998 and again from 2009 to 2013, compiling a record of 214-127. He guided the Raiders to a state football title in 1978 and a runner-up finish in 1988.

He also coached a state championship team in baseball in 1981.

Strickland noted that the former location for Midway football, located across Highway 421 from the present campus, was named after Walter Ragan, a former Midway coach.

Strickland said plans call for a privately-funded monument to be established at the entrance to the stadium.