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 Thell Overman.

Thell put together a tremendous coaching record during almost 40 years, first at Warrenton’s John Graham High and predominantly at Wallace-Rose Hill High in Duplin County.

One of the winningest coaches in North Carolina history, Overman had a 278-73-6 mark as a head football coach and was 541-118 as a head baseball coach. He also found time to roll up a 259-42 mark as a basketball mentor. He coached in both the East-West all-star games and the Shrine Bowl, and he was among leaders who helped generate interest in adding women’s sports to athletic programs.

A 1938 graduate of Guilford College, where he played football, basketball and ran track, Overman served on the NCHSAA Board of Directors from 1960-63 and was among those who helped found the North Carolina High School Athletic Directors Association. A member of American Legion Post 156 since 1946, he helped design and build Legion Stadium in Wallace, which has been a center for many high school events.

He was very active in community activities and in the United Methodist Church in Wallace. He is a member of the Guilford College Hall of Fame and was honored with “Thell Overman Day” in Duplin County in the 1970’s. Overman was inducted into the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 1991.