ECU Athletics Mourns Passing Of Charlie Adams
September 19, 2017 | General
GREENVILLE, N.C. – The ECU Athletics community is mourning the loss of Charles "Charlie" Adams, who passed away Sunday at the age of 81.
Adams, who was inducted into the university's athletics hall of fame in 1991, played men's basketball for three seasons from 1956 to 1959 under the legendary Howard Porter. Upon the completion of his playing career he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in 1959 and 1962, respectively, from ECU.
A native of Cary, Adams served as the executive director of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) from 1984 until 2010. He was the assistant executive director and supervisor of officials for the NCHSAA for 17 years before taking over as the executive director.
As executive director, Adams was pivotal in moving state championship events to college facilities and establishing the NCHSAA endowment fund, which has provided financial security to the association for decades. The NCHSAA also implemented the scholar-athlete and hall of fame programs, started sportsmanship initiatives and created the Student Services program, which includes alcohol and drug-prevention education, under Adams' leadership.
In addition to his induction into the ECU Athletics Hall of Fame, Adams was a charter member of the Cary High School Athletic Hall of Fame and is also enshrined in the National High School Sports Hall of Fame, NCHSAA Hall of Fame, North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and the North Carolina Athletic Directors Hall of Fame.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, October 1 at 2:00 p.m. at University Baptist Church in Chapel Hill.
Adams, who was inducted into the university's athletics hall of fame in 1991, played men's basketball for three seasons from 1956 to 1959 under the legendary Howard Porter. Upon the completion of his playing career he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in 1959 and 1962, respectively, from ECU.
A native of Cary, Adams served as the executive director of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) from 1984 until 2010. He was the assistant executive director and supervisor of officials for the NCHSAA for 17 years before taking over as the executive director.
As executive director, Adams was pivotal in moving state championship events to college facilities and establishing the NCHSAA endowment fund, which has provided financial security to the association for decades. The NCHSAA also implemented the scholar-athlete and hall of fame programs, started sportsmanship initiatives and created the Student Services program, which includes alcohol and drug-prevention education, under Adams' leadership.
In addition to his induction into the ECU Athletics Hall of Fame, Adams was a charter member of the Cary High School Athletic Hall of Fame and is also enshrined in the National High School Sports Hall of Fame, NCHSAA Hall of Fame, North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and the North Carolina Athletic Directors Hall of Fame.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, October 1 at 2:00 p.m. at University Baptist Church in Chapel Hill.
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