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 Raymond Rhodes.

The late Raymond Rhodes was a highly successful teacher-coach at Leaksville Tri-City and Morehead High Schools from 1947-58, guiding his teams to four state 2-A men’s basketball championships and posting a 221-54 coaching mark and winning 20 or more games in seven different seasons. However, Rhodes is probably best remembered for his work as the director of the division of athletics in the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction from 1959 to 1983.

In that position he served as an advisor to the NCHSAA Board of Directors and also worked with the old Western North Carolina High School Activities Association and the North Carolina High School Athletic Conference. He served as secretary of the North Carolina Athletic Officials Association for 20 years and was instrumental in the development of the Sports Medicine Program for North Carolina public schools.

Born in Arden, N.C., Rhodes was a 1943 graduate of Western Carolina University, from which he had received an Alumni Distinguished Service Award. He also received a Distinguished Service Award from the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Rhodes was inducted into the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 1991.