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 Dr. William Friday of Chapel Hill.

One of the great supporters of high school athletics in the state,Bill Friday is president emeritus of the University of North Carolina, having served 30 years as president of the university.

Friday’s leadership and stands for integrity and principle are known throughout the country. A former high school athlete himself at old Dallas High, Friday graduated from N.C. State in 1941 and then from law school at Carolina.

Throughout his career, he has been a great proponent of the NCHSAA, from helping provide university property for the Association’s current headquarters to keeping the concerns of high school athletics at the forefront during his work as co-chairman of the Knight Foundation National Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics.

He has been awarded numerous honorary degrees during his career and has been previously recognized by the NCHSAA on several occasions. He is also well known as the long-time host of the popular television show North Carolina People on UNC public television.