Eight coaches who make a difference by virtue of their exemplary sportsmanship will be honored by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association at the NCHSAA's Annual Meeting on May 1 at the Dean E. Smith Center on the campus of the University of North Carolina.

The coaches have been selected for the Homer Thompson Memorial Eight Who Make a Difference award. The award is named in honor of the late Homer Thompson, the long-time Winston-Salem Parkland coach and member of the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

“It is fitting that Homer Thompson’s name be affixed to an award about coaches who make a difference,” says NCHSAA executive director Charlie Adams, “for Homer certainly did make a difference in the lives of many and truly was an outstanding role model.”

The winners were chosen by a special committee based on nominations from the member schools. They will receive a plaque from NCHSAA assistant executive director Mark Dreibelbis as part of the Association's student services program.

Coaches receiving this honor for 2007-08 include the following; Region 1 Rex Sponhaltz, Currituck head football coach (formerly First Flight head coach); Region 2 Clay Jordan, West Craven head football coach; Region 3 Tony Lewis, Sanderson head track and assistant football coach; Region 4 Chris Bunting, West Montgomery head track, assistant football and wrestling coach; Region 5 Jim Spivey, Winston-Salem R.J. Reynolds athletic director; Region 6 Mark Woody, China Grove Jesse Carson head football coach; Region 7 Joanna Crew, Alexander Central assistant athletic director; and Region 8 Van Allen, Asheville Clyde Erwin men’s head basketball coach,

Each school had the opportunity to nominate one of its coaches for this award. "These coaches provide excellent role models with their positive approach," says Adams.