University of North Carolina Athletics
NCHSAA Schools Assist Those Hit By Flooding
October 13, 1999 | General
Oct. 13, 1999
by RICK STRUNK
In the 1990's, successful organizations have had to learn to respond
quickly to challenges, and the North Carolina High School Athletic
Association is no exception.
It is doubtful, however, that when the NCHSAA was founded over 85 years
ago, its organizers envisioned the kind of response necessary for high
school sports when a 500-year flood as a result of Hurricane Floyd
devastated a large area of the state.
Perhaps a little context is appropriate here. The North Carolina High
School Athletic Association, being recognized Saturday by the University of
North Carolina with this 15th annual NCHSAA Day, was the first
association in the nation to be honored with a day such as this and has
a long, close connection with the university.
The University of North Carolina started the state association back in
1913, and the NCHSAA has been based in Chapel Hill since its inception.
Now a private, non-profit corporation, the Association currently has 328
member schools, stretching from Murphy to Manteo. Any North Carolina
public high school or non-boarding parochial school eligible for
membership must agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the
NCHSAA. Last year over 132,000 student-athletes participated in at
least one Association sport, a record number, with growth reported in
every sport the Association offers.
But now many of the NCHSAA's member schools and their communities are
faced with huge challenges which transcend the athletic field or court.
The ramifications of the disaster haven't yet totally set in, but the
Association is attempting to respond.
NCHSAA executive director Charlie Adams has announced two initiatives
by the Association to help with relief and recovery for areas affected
by the devastating flooding from Hurricane Floyd.
The NCHSAA is making a donation of $15,311 to the Hurricane Floyd
Disaster Relief Fund being administered by the office of the Governor.
Money was collected at five of six recent NCHSAA regional meetings from
the superintendents, principals and athletic directors in attendance,
totaling $5,155.50. The NCHSAA matched that figure and is donating an
additional $5,000 to bring the total to $15,311.
In addition, Adams announced plans to allow any NCHSAA member school,
on a voluntary basis, to play one extra game in any revenue-producing
sport with the exception of football, with all proceeds to go to
disaster relief. The Hurricane Floyd Disaster Relief Games can be played
in fall, winter or spring sports. A form has been developed and sent to
the schools to provide appropriate financial information, and then the
host school will send in the form and a check for the proceeds to the
NCHSAA.
The Association will act as a clearinghouse and will send one donation
at the end of each sports season, based on the receipts from the games,
to the disaster relief fund.
The Executive Committee of the NCHSAA unanimously approved the
Hurricane Floyd Disaster Relief Games, in lieu of a meeting of the full
oard of Directors. The games will not count toward records or for
seeding purposes, but are simply to raise money to aid in relief and
recovery.
Adams also noted that game officials will be asked to donate their
services for those games, and it is hoped that all other paid personnel,
such as ticket takers, security and others, will be willing to donate
their services. Schools will be asked to hold their game expenses to the
bare minimum to be able to provide the maximum amount of money for the
effort.
"Hurricane Floyd has created a disaster unparalleled in the history of
our state," said Adams, "and we wanted to do something to help,
especially in the nine counties in the East that were hardest hit. The
Disaster Relief Games are totally voluntary and have the potential to
contribute a good deal of money to a most worthy cause. Many schools
have been asking what they can do, and this will provide a great
opportunity for communities all over the state to participate."
The cash donation grew out of the recent regional meetings. After the
first meeting in Charlotte, the decision was made to ask for a donation
among those in attendance. The Association's matching portion and the
remainder are coming from Association reserve funds, not from operating
capital or from Endowment funds, which are restricted for use.
Schools all over the state have already participated in the NCHSAA
Hurricane Relief Night effort. Spectators attending their high school
football games at many NCHSAA member schools on Friday, October 1, were
asked to bring donations of non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies and
other goods. The schools collected those items and then took them to
designated pick-up spots coordinated with other agencies.
There have been other responses from the high school athletic
community. For just one example, Shelby, which played Tarboro last year
for the state 2-A football championship at Kenan Stadium, heard of the
plight of its rival in last year's final and is working on "adopting"
the Tarboro athletic program , to provide equipment and other goods when
the Vikings are ready to get back into action in athletics. Other high
schools are making plans right now to adopt schools in the hardest-hit
region, sending materials including school supplies to their sister
schools.
"At times like these, there are certainly things more important than
athletics and we are very sensitive to that fact," said Adams. "But
athletics can at least do its part to help our friends in eastern North
Carolina, and I've been amazed at how we've already seen people come
together. We hope our Disaster Relief Games can provide some assistance
throughout the 1999-2000 academic year as the recovery continues."
SATURDAY'S HONOREES AT NCHSAA DAY
1998-99 WACHOVIA CUP CHAMPIONS
1999-2000 NCHSAA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Associate Executive Director
North Carolina High School Athletic Association
On this day during which the University honors the Association, the
NCHSAA recognizes its four Wachovia Cup champions, representing the
schools with the best overall interscholastic sports programs during the
last academic year, based on a point system. Another fixture during
NCHSAA Day is the recognition of the newest class of inductees to the
Association*s Hall of Fame. This year*s class brings to 51 the number of
honorees in the Hall of Fame.
1-A: Hendersonville High School, Hendersonville
2-A: Charlotte Catholic High School, Charlotte
3-A: East Chapel Hill High School, Chapel Hill
4-A: Leesville Road High School, Raleigh
Charles "Babe" Howell, Webster
Paul Jones, Kinston
Jerry McGee, Elizabeth City
Donna Norman, High Point
Jim Mills, Raleigh
Joe Mills, Raleigh
ob Paroli, Fayetteville
