John Swofford has been one of the NCHSAA’s biggest proponents during his career as an athletic administrator. A native of North Wilkesboro, Swofford was a standout athlete at Wilkes Central and played in both the East-West and Shrine Bowl football games. He attended UNC on a prestigious Morehead Scholarship and played football for the Tar Heels. During his stint as North Carolina director of athletics from 1980 to ’97, he made it possible for the Association to utilize UNC facilities for its state championships. In fact, 15 of the 21 NCHSAA sports have held state championships at UNC as a result of his work.  He also gave the NCHSAA a day of recognition at a UNC home football game, the first university in the nation to recognize a state association in this way. As commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference since ’97,he has continued his support of high school athletics involving NCAA legislation and has done public service announcements in support of the NCHSAA Endowment.