A native of Roanoke Rapids, Tom Northington was one of the top writers covering high school athletics during a 39-year career in journalism. A graduate of the University of North Carolina, Northington was the sports editor of the Sanford Herald for one year and then spent the rest of his career at the Greensboro News, including 25 as prep sports editor. During that time he covered a multitude of state championships and NCHSAA Board of Directors meetings. He was the first to initiate high school football rankings in the state and selected what were considered for many years the all-state teams in football, basketball and baseball. Northington has been honored by both the North Carolina Tennis Association and the North Carolina Football Coaches Association for his involvement in those sports. For many years he served as editor of the NCHSAA state 4-A basketball program as well as the editor for the East-West all-star games publication.