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 George Washington Wingfield of Reidsville.

The late George Wingfield served his hometown of Reidsville for over 35 years.

An outstanding athlete at Reidsville and later at Davidson College, from which he graduated in 1935, Wingfield returned to Reidsville as an assistant football coach before taking over for the legendary Hap Perry in 1946. Wingfield then led the Rams to four outright state championships in football himself, including an unbeaten team in 1954. He coached in both the Shrine Bowl and the East-West all-star game in Greensboro.

Wingfield actually coached men’s basketball, baseball and track in addition to football at Reidsville and later served as a principal in the Reidsville system. He also officiated high school and college football games for a period of time.

Very active in civic affairs, Wingfield served on the Reidsville city council and was elected to two terms as mayor of that city. He also led a Boy Scout troop for many years.

George died in 1993 and was posthumously inducted into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame in 1995.