The Lancaster News has named a new sports editor, for the first time in four decades.
Mac Banks has been promoted to the position. He replaces Robert Howey, who retired in late July after 45 years at the newspaper, 44 of them as its sports editor.
Banks has been with the paper for two years, covering education, crime and courts, business and general assignments. He has also stepped in to cover sports whenever Howey has been out.
“It is exciting to be named sports editor at The Lancaster News,” Banks said. “I realize the shoes that I am trying to fill. And while someone like Robert Howey can’t be replaced because of all he knows about Lancaster County sports, I am excited to be able to carry on the tradition he perfected.”
Banks has been in the newspaper industry for 23 years. He worked at the Fort Mill Times and The (Rock Hill) Herald for 19 years before coming to The Lancaster News in 2020.
He has a background in sports, serving as sports editor for the Fort Mill Times, and as sports reporter for The Herald. He also worked at the Aiken Standard as a sports reporter for a year.
Banks has reported on sports on local, state and national levels, including covering the Masters golf tournament in Augusta and Super Bowl 50 in San Francisco during the Carolina Panthers’ most recent trip to the Super Bowl.
“I am pleased Mac is taking on the role as sports editor. He understands the importance of local prep sports and has the experience and passion to continue the exceptional coverage our readers are accustomed to,” said TLN Publisher Dale Morefield.
“I’m happy to see Mac step up into this position, a role I’d been hoping to eventually see him in from the time we hired him,” said TLN Editor Jane Alford. “I’m confident that he will carry on the paper’s emphasis on excellent local sports coverage, while putting his own stamp on the section.”
Banks’ move into his new position on Monday, Aug. 1, leaves an opening at the paper for a general assignment reporter. Anyone interested in the position is asked to contact Alford at jalford@thelancasternews.com.
