Throughout the course of the 2008-2009 academic year, we will seek to recognize some of the great names of the past to highlight the heritage of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association in honor of the Association’s 95th anniversary. In this edition we are pleased to recognize Herb Young of Cary.

Herb Young has distinguished himself as an outstanding game official at both the high school and college levels.

A three-sport standout at Cary High, Young played football at the University of North Carolina and then began his career in officiating. He was a high school basketball referee for 35 years starting in 1947 and officiated the state high school basketball championship in all four classifications. He officiated high school football for 24 years and umpired baseball for eight years. Young conducted state basketball clinics and also served as supervisor of officials for the Triangle Officials Association for 11 years.

He also officiated college basketball in the Carolinas Conference for 25 years, Southern Conference for 18 and the Atlantic Coast Conference for 11 seasons.

A charter member of the Cary High School Sports Hall of Fame, Young has been active in civic affairs as well, including a stint from 1966 through ’75 on the Cary Town Council.