Class of 1983

Bernard Minter was one of the greatest and most respected three-sport athletes to come through Apex High School. He was a member of the football, basketball, and track and field teams during his career. Proudly wearing the green and gold for the Cougars, he was a terror on the defensive side of the ball, alternating between linebacker and defensive back. He responded to his first varsity start against Cary with 12 tackles and 2 interceptions and never left the starting lineup for the remainder of his career.

The confidence with which Bernard played carried over into all three sports and led to Bernard being one of the first multi-sport All-Conference athletes in Apex history. Bernard’s defensive skills were also on display in basketball as well, where he was always given the task of defending the best player on the opposing team. This led to one encounter in which Apex was playing Southern Durham. Legendary UNC Coach Dean Smith was in attendance when Bernard played his finest game for the Cougars, holding Spartan star Curtis Hunter scoreless that night and causing Coach Smith to marvel at his defensive ability and stamina.

Bernard also excelled in track and field with an especially unique combination as a distance runner and weight man. With a larger frame for a distance runner, Bernard would silence the doubters by going to the front and staying there in his 800 and 1600 meter races. And if his personal athletic feats were not enough, Bernard continued to add to his Apex legacy through 16 plus years as a youth and volunteer high school football coach.