Spurling Named Distinguished American Award Recipient by NFF Dooley Chapter

RALEIGH, N.C. – James Spurling, a longtime friend of the University of North Carolina, has been named the recipient of the Distinguished American Award, announced on Tuesday by The National Football Foundation's Bill Dooley Chapter.

Spurling will be honored at the chapter's annual Pigskin Preview on Friday, July 21 at the Embassy Suites in Cary.

As a former business owner in Chapel Hill for 23 years, Spurling has built a great relationship with the University of North Carolina, the athletic department and its Rams Club. He was a volunteer with the UNC football program for many years prior to becoming a full-time staff member.

In 2003, Paul and Sydna Rizzo endowed a full football scholarship in Spurling's name to express their appreciation for his life-long commitment to the University. Subsequently, in 2009 the athletic department honored him with the Ernie Williamson Award for his love and loyalty for the University, the athletic department and its student-athletes. In the fall of 2021, Spurling was honored for his contributions and years of service after the University named the west concourse of Kenan Stadium the "James Spurling West Concourse".

Additionally, Spurling served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Educational Foundation and was chosen board member of the year by the foundation in 2004.

Spurling currently works as the director of Kenan Stadium and Kenan Football Center where he has served since 2006. His daily role encompasses the operation of these two facilities, which includes booking events, collecting revenue for the facilities, collaborating with University entities on special events held in the stadium, as well as assisting with away game travel for the football team. In addition, he serves on the desired behaviors committee for the athletic department, the honors and awards committee and the University commencement committee.

NFF Dooley Chapter – Distinguished American Award – Previous Honorees
1996 – Dr. LeRoy Walker
1997 – Bill Dooley
1998 – Carl James
1999 – Charlie Adams
2000 – Charlie Justice
2001 – John Swofford
2002 – Jim Goodmon
2003 – Paul Miller
2004 – Andy Harris
2005 – Dr. Frank Bassett
2006 – Jerry McGee
2007 – Don McCauley
2008 – Frank Weedon
2009 – Gen. Hugh Shelton
2010 – Ike Boone
2011 – Dr. Bill Friday
2012 – Walter Williams
2013 – Wendell Murphy
2014 – John Barbee
2015 – Don Shea
2016 – Ken Huff
2017 – George Turner
2018 – Gov. James Hunt
2019 – Michael P. Johnson
2020 – N/A
2021 – Dick Havens
2022 – Sam Wornom III

About the Pigskin Preview
The National Football Foundation Bill Dooley Chapter's annual Pigskin Preview is set for Friday, July 21 at the Embassy Suites in Cary. Registration opens at 11 a.m., with the event program starting at 11:30 a.m. Head coaches Mack Brown of North Carolina, Dave Doeren of N.C. State, Mike Elko of Duke, Mike Houston of East Carolina, and Trei Oliver of N.C. Central will all be in attendance. Sponsorship and tickets are available at www.nffbilldooleychapter.org.

About the NFF Bill Dooley Chapter
On August 23, 1995, Bill Dooley, one of the winningest coaches in the Atlantic Coast Conference history, invited athletic directors, coaches and representatives from the University of North Carolina, Duke University, N.C. Central University and North Carolina State University to join him and N.C. Governor Jim Hunt at the State Capitol Old Senate Chambers. It was at that meeting that the universities pledged their support to the newly formed NFFCHOF Chapter and its mission. In 2012, East Carolina University joined the Chapter and, in 2014, the NFFCHOF Board of Directors unanimously voted to name the chapter after its founder.

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Spurling Named Distinguished American Award Recipient by NFF Dooley Chapter

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