RECIPIENTS NAMED FOR FIFTH ANNUAL GOLDEN WHISTLE MERIT AWARDS
CHAPEL HILL –Three outstanding individuals from the world of high school officiating will be honored with an award for lifetime achievement.
David Gaskins of Greenville, Bill Freeman of Charlotte and Wendell Hampton of Pfafftown are the recipients of the fifth annual Golden Whistle Merit Award, created in a partnership among the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA), the North Carolina Coaches Association (NCCA) and the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association (NCADA).
Criteria for the award include demonstrating leadership, performance, service and training for the betterment of officiating, possessing officiating abilities emulated by fellow officials, being regarded as a person of integrity and character, and a minimum of 10 years of experience as an active official.
They will be presented their awards at the NCHSAA Annual Meeting on May 5 at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill.
This year’s recipients of the Golden Whistle Merit Award include:
David Gaskins: Gaskins is an NCAA official who has had postseason tournament assignments at that level in each of the last 10 years but is also very active in high school officiating. He has worked NCHSAA state championship contests in both football and men’s basketball and has worked conference and sectional tournaments for the last 20 years and the football state playoffs for the last 16 years. A Greenville area clinic leader in football and basketball, his mentoring of officials through the intramural and club sports program at East Carolina University has been directly responsible for many quality officials becoming a part of the NCHSAA program.
Bill Freeman: Freeman’s career as an official began in 1953 and he has been extensively involved with the NCSHAA for over 35 years. He has specialized in recruiting, training and scheduling officials for football, basketball, baseball, soccer and volleyball, forming the Metrolina Officials Association in 1975. He was one of the first booking agents to implement a detailed web-based officiating scheduling program and has earned the respect of both officials and school administrators throughout his career.
Wendell Hampton: currently the booking agent for the Piedmont Officials Association, Hampton has served as the head official for the NCHSAA state wrestling championships for the last five years. He is one of the top trainers of wrestling officials in North Carolina, continually giving his time, talent and energy to ensure the officiating in that sport is of top quality. His rules knowledge and experience make him one of the most respected figures in the sport of wrestling in North Carolina.
“These three individuals are truly representative of excellence and leadership in officiating,” said Davis Whitfield, NCHSAA commissioner. “We are extremely proud to honor these officials who have demonstrated sacrifice and commitment.”
