Coaches Earn Homer Thompson Sportsmanship Awards From NCHSAA

CHAPEL HILL– Seven “coaches who make a difference” by virtue of their exemplary sportsmanship will be honored by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association at the NCHSAA Annual Meeting.

The coaches have been selected for the Homer Thompson Memorial Eight Who Make a Difference award. The award is named in honor of the late Homer Thompson, the long-time Winston-Salem Parkland coach and member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame. Each honoree will receive the award at the Smith Center on May 6.

“Homer Thompson’s name is affixed to this award because he certainly did make a difference in the lives of many and truly was an outstanding role model,” said NCHSAA executive director Davis Whitfield.

The winners were chosen by a special committee based on nominations from the member schools. They will receive a plaque as part of the Association’s student services program.

Coaches receiving this honor for 2009-10 include the following:

Region 1: no award given

Region 2: James Lewis, head football coach and head golf coach, Lakewood High School

Region 3: Carleen Goodwin, head volleyball and head softball coach, Roanoke Rapids High School

Region 4: Colin Arrington, head women’s basketball coach, Westover High School, Fayetteville

Region 5: Jim Coggins, head wrestling coach, Southwest Guilford High School

Region 6: Michael Johns, head football and head track coach, Mount Pleasant High School

Region 7: Rachel McCollum,head women’s tennis and head softball coach, DREAM team and SASI advisor, Forbush High School, East Bend

Region 8: Jennifer Brooks, assistant women’s basketball coach and SASI advisor, McDowell High School

Each school had the opportunity to nominate one of its coaches for this award. “These coaches are excellent role models who provide support and encouragement to our young people,” says Whitfield.

The North Carolina Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company underwrites the recognition for high school coaches.