Historical Information
The NCHSAA Foundation was established in May 2023 as a 501C3 non-profit corporation to serve and protect the integrity of high school sports and related activities in North Carolina for North Carolina High School Athletic Association high schools by providing funding opportunities for grants, scholarships, and program support to benefit students, coaches, administrators, and officials engaged in those sports and activities. The NCHSAA Foundation does not direct funds to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.
Funds from the NCHSAA Endowments were transferred to the Foundation to continue serving student-athletes and schools, as these funds have since the inception of the NCHSAA Endowments in 1991.
Numerous state associations across the USA have also established separate foundations to support their respective state associations’ programs and activities.
The Clary Medal is made possible through the generosity of the Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation and annually recognizes an outstanding male and female varsity student-athlete participating in varsity competition in at least two NCHSAA-sanctioned teams. The award is based on each individual’s excellence in athletic participation, extra-curricular activities, and community service, exhibiting a desire to excel in all areas of life – athletics, education, sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership, honesty, and integrity. The Wilburn Clary Medal was first awarded in 2006 and is dedicated to Wilburn Clary. Clary’s athletic career involved coaching, officiating, and administration. He coached several sports at the Methodist Children’s Home for almost 30 years, was an outstanding high school and collegiate official, and served as the executive secretary of the Western North Carolina High School Activities Association from 1949 until 1977 when the organization merged with the NCHSAA.