The Unsung Hero Award, given periodically by the NCHSAA for outstanding service in a role behind the scenes. This year’s state recipient is Leigh Hebbard.

Hebbard serves as the system athletic director for Guilford County Schools. In addition to his duties with Guilford County, Hebbard serves the NCHSAA as a member of the Education and Athletics Committee and as a tournament director for the three-day, 10-mat, 1,386 match NCHSAA Individual Wrestling Tournament, held each year at the Greensboro Coliseum.

As tournament director for the last 15 years, Hebbard has overseen the growth and execution of the tournament, coordinated volunteers and organized tournament staffing needs. He has ensured the smooth and precise execution of a tremendously complex event with professionalism and excellence. Hebbard is stepping aside from his role as tournament director, after serving in this role for more than a decade and has already trained two gentlemen to pick up where he left off with the event.