Seven individuals will be honored at this year’s North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame Banquet on April 24.

This incoming class of hall of famers will be the 23rd class inducted by the NCHSAA. The hall currently has 125 members. Each member inducted on this date will be honored by a video presentation, as well as a NCHSAA Hall of Fame ring to commemorate the special occasion.

“We hope that the communities represented by these outstanding individuals would be present to support those who have meant so much to so many people,” said NCHSAA executive director Davis Whitfield. “The Hall of Fame ceremonies have evolved into a first-class event and it is a great opportunity for former players and other supporters of these honorees to gather together.”

Honorees at this year’s event include Brad Faircloth who worked as a high school and college football official, including 20 years in the Atlantic Coast Conference office as coordinator of football officials. Also, former Wilson Fike athletic director and baseball coach Gilbert Ferrell, two-time state champion head coach Bruce Hardin, and Jim Maxwell, a volunteer head swimming coach at Durham Jordan for 29 years, earned five state championships and also served as chairman of the National Federation Swimming and Diving Rules Committee as well as serving as legal counsel for the NCHSAA.

The 2010 class includes three more inductees. Vickie Peoples was the swimming coach at Enloe High School in Raleigh from 1982 until 2007. During that time, Peoples won nine state championships, 18 regional titles, and 27 conference championships. Pete Stout won 234 games as a high school football coach with teams including Western Alamance, Burlington Williams, and Freedom High Schools. Stout also has two division 3-A state championships. Finally, Carolyn Shannonhouse, an assistant executive director with the NCHSAA since 1986, will be the final inductee into this class.

The banquet and induction ceremonies will take place at the George Watts Hill Alumni Center on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill, and the general public can attend this by filling out the order form located on the NCHSAA’s website at nchsaa.org.

Student Council

Student-athletes will now have a voice in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association with the creation of the student advisory council.

The main premise for this council is to provide athletes with a much easier way of communicating any thoughts or concerns to the NCHSAA. The council will also come up with their own ideas to present to the NCHSAA. These ideas may consist of ways to improve certain sports, improve sportsmanship, or ways to help athletes appreciate their high school athletic experience even more.

Leadership is the key element for each member of the council. Each person on the council will be given leadership training that these individuals can carry with them even after their high school playing days are over.

Currently, the council is slated to have eight members from all across the state, divided into different regions. Ashe County is located in region 7, and will be represented at the first council by cross-country runner Julia Roberts of Watauga High School.