The NCHSAA annually recognizes individuals and corporate partners who support the mission, vision, schools and values of the Association. The Association presents three awards in these categories annually.
TRADITION AWARD – Mort’s Trophies & Awards, Inc. – Jere Morton, III
This year’s Tradition Award, presented to a member of the NCHSAA corporate partnership family for outstanding service to the Association, is Mort’s Trophies and Awards, Inc.
Mort’s Trophies and Awards, Inc. has served the NCHSAA since at least 2000 as a vendor for trophies, medals, and custom awards. Mr. Morton was a game official for 25 years and also coached football and baseball. Upon his passing in 2006, his son Jere Morton III assumed running the family business and has continued working closely with the Association. The Association staff is pleased that it has been able to partner with Mort’s for over twenty-one years to recognize the special achievements of student-athletes, coaches, administrators and schools.
MORRIS WALKER DEVELOPMENT AWARD – The Shoen Family Foundation – Berry Gainey Shoen & Sam Shoen
Annually, the NCHSAA is pleased to recognize individuals or groups who have helped to build the endowment for the NCHSAA which helps provide the exceptional quality of championships, scholarship and leadership programs we enjoy in North Carolina. The award is named for a long-time educator, Morris Walker, this year’s Morris Walker Development Award is given to The Shoen Family Foundation.
In 2006/07, Berry Gainey Shoen and her husband, Sam Shoen, graciously established an endowed scholarship fund in memory of her late father, Pat Gainey. The student scholarship award is available to NCHSAA member schools in counties having a poverty rate of 20 percent or more for children 17 and under.
The Gainey Student Scholarship recognizes athletic achievement and strength of character, both traits that Coach Gainey exuded both on and off the court. Scholarship grants are currently for $5000 each.
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR AWARD – Carolina Panthers
The NCHSAA annually recognizes a group or individual for significant and unique contributions to the Association with the Special Contributor Award. This year’s recipient is the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers have been partnered with the Association since 1995/96 a span of over twenty-five years! As a longtime partner, the Panthers have supported the State Football Press Conference and Football Championships in addition to Outstanding Offensive and Defensive Players of the Game in state championship play. Through NFL initiatives, the Panthers have helped North Carolina high schools secure funds to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of their respective football fields and recognized outstanding high school student-athletes in the Carolinas each fall who excel in their respective sport, in the classroom and in their community through The Community Captain program.
