ROCKY MOUNT – Bernie Capps, longtime athletic trainer for Rocky Mount High School, has retired following 39 years of service in public education.

He began his career as a student manager for the late Coach Dudley Whitley at R.M. Wilson Junior High in 1958. As a student manager and adult athletic trainer, he has played a significant role in nine state championships at RMHS.

A 1963 graduate of Rocky Mount Senior High, Capps served as a student manager/trainer at Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College), where he received a B. S. Degree in Health and Physical Education in 1968. He began his teaching career in elementary physical education in Key West, Fl. He returned to Rocky Mount in 1972 as an athletic trainer for Rocky Mount City Schools, as well as teacher of driver’s education and physical education.

A member of the N. C. Athletic Trainers Association for 37 years, Capps was inducted into the NCATA Hall of Fame in 2003. He has also been honored by the NCHSAA with the Unsung Hero Award for Region 3 in 1998.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Mr. Capps for 20 years. He has taught me a lot about the history of Rocky Mount Senior High,” said Rocky Mount athletic director Michael Gainey. “He has been a great mentor to me and everyone that he comes in contact with. I truly believe he is known all across the state of North Carolina.”

We salute Bernie Capps for his great years of service and thanks to Charles Alston of northcarolina.ihigh.com for the information.