All posts by Juli Kidd
NCHSAA Hall of Famer Stephen Spivey, Legendary Coach, Dies at 72
Stephen Spivey, a revered North Carolina high school coach and member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame, passed away at age 72. Over a career spanning decades, Spivey built powerhouse programs, guided his teams to numerous state championships, and left a lasting mark on student-athletes and the sport across the state.
Riley “Buddy” Lowery III, Legendary Wrestling Coach, Dies at 73
Riley Belt “Buddy” Lowery III, a revered wrestling coach and educator, passed away on October 12, 2025, at the age of 73. A lifelong Davie County resident, Buddy dedicated more than 40 years to shaping young lives through teaching and coaching at Davie County High School.
Focus on Sportsmanship Needed as State Championship Season Begins
Dr. Karissa L. Niehoff, NFHS Chief Executive Officer Rivalry games are among the most highly anticipated – and hotly contested – matchups in high school sports every year. Some of these games have been played annually for decades, so the emotions are higher, and the intensity is stronger to secure bragging rights for another…
Shelby Mourns the Loss of Jim Taylor, NCHSAA Hall of Famer and Beloved Community Leader
Jim Taylor, age 79 of Shelby, North Carolina, passed away on October 10, 2025, leaving behind a legacy marked by leadership, mentorship, and love for his community. A 2012 inductee into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame, Jim was celebrated for his outstanding contributions to high school athletics across North Carolina. Known for his warm spirit…
Hall of Fame Coach Harold Robinson Remembered for a Lifetime of Leadership and Legacy
Coach Harold Robinson, Jr., 76, of Washington, passed away Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Ridgewood Health and Rehabilitation. A legendary figure in North Carolina high school football, Robinson led Williamston High School from 1979 to 2003, earning a .711 winning percentage, two NCHSAA state titles, four runner-up finishes, seven conference championships, and 16 playoff appearances….
From NFHS | The Pre-Event Medical Meeting
Indiana, IN – Minimizing risk during high school sports and activities remains paramount to the NFHS. As such, the institution of the Pre-Event Medical Meeting (PEMM) is strongly encouraged at all events during the 2025-26 school year. Formerly referred to as the pregame Medical Time Out (MTO), the PEMM ensures that venue- and team-specific, written…
Robert “Bob” Sawyer, Beloved Greensboro Coach and Community Pillar, Passes Away at 88
Robert Riley “Bob” Sawyer returned to his alma mater, Grimsley High School (then Greensboro Senior High), in 1961 and served as coach—and later athletics director—for three decades. Under his leadership, Grimsley’s swimming teams achieved extraordinary success, winning an unprecedented 15 consecutive NCHSAA state titles and 16 straight conference championships in swimming. Beyond his role in…
Survey Indicates Number of High School Officials Up Six Percent Since Last Year
The number of registered high school sports officials remains above pre-pandemic levels and grew by six percent during the last school year, according to a follow-up survey of 36 NFHS member state associations that originated in 2018-19. Data compiled by the NFHS from the 36 associations showed the total number of officials’ registrations at 237,811…
