FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Robeson County School's Ronnie Chavis to be Honored as Southern District Athletic Director of the Year

RESTON, VA, March 20, 2009 – Pembroke resident Ronnie Chavis will be honored as the Southern District Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) during its national convention in Tampa, Florida, March 30 - April 4. The Southern District represents 12 states from Virginia to Florida and the District of Columbia.

         At the convention Chavis, who has served as director of athletics, driver education, health, and physical education for the Public Schools of Robeson County for over 17 years, will vie with five other district winners from around the country for the "National Athletic Director of the Year Award." Begun over 34 years ago, the purpose of the program is to give recognition to athletic administrators around the country who exemplify the highest standards of their profession. The award plaques are provided by Herff-Jones.

         The National Athletic Director of the Year Award recipient will be announced on Friday, April 3, at the NASPE Hall of Fame Banquet. Olympic softball gold medalist Dot Richardson, M.D. will be inducted that evening into the NASPE Hall of Fame.

         According to NASPE President Fran Cleland of West Chester University of Pennsylvania, "By making a significant impact on the lives of students, Ronnie Chavis has made an outstanding contribution to his school and community. He is also recognized as an administrator of an exemplary athletic program and educator who keeps athletics an integral part of the total education program."

         Public Schools of Robeson County Superintendent Dr. Johnny Hunt, said "Mr. Chavis has demonstrated time and again that he is an exceptional communicator and gifted teacher and coach. The perfect model for a school system athletic director, he is a highly dedicated professional who knows how to motivate his coaches and student athletes to strive for excellence."

         Among his many accomplishments, with a Carol M. White Physical Education Grant he purchased each of the seven high schools in his district a fitness center that included new conditioning and physical education equipment. All 35 elementary and middle schools in the district received physical education supplies and equipment as well as FITNESSGRAM software. He also helped convince the Public Schools of Robeson County Board of Education to fund a lighting project that provided lights to all the baseball, softball, and two football fields. In addition, Chavis established the Robeson County Coaches Golf Tournament, which has raised over $15,000 to assist coaches and athletes that have experienced hardships.

         Among his most recent professional awards, he received the NCHSAA Distinguished Service Award, the North Carolina Athletic Director of the Year; the National Federation High School Citation and the NIAAA State Award of Merit.

         His professional affiliations and activities include the North Carolina Coaches Association, the North Carolina Athletic Director's Association, the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA), and the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE)/American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). He has also served as the President of the North Carolina Athletic Director's Association. Chavis received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of North Carolina-Pembroke and another graduate degree from Campbell University.

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Contact:
Paula Kun
pkun@aahperd.org
703-476-3461

The preeminent national authority on physical education and a recognized leader in sport and physical activity, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) is a non-profit professional membership association that sets the standard for practice in physical education and sport. NASPE’s 15,000 members include: K-12 physical education teachers, coaches, administrators, researchers, and college/university faculty who prepare professionals in these areas. NASPE seeks to enhance knowledge, improve professional practice, and increase support for high-quality physical education, sport and physical activity programs. It is the largest of the five national associations that make up the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD). For more information, visit www.naspeinfo.org.

AAHPERD, an alliance of five national associations, six district associations, and a Research Consortium, provides its members with a comprehensive and coordinated array of resources, support, and programs to help practitioners improve their skills to further the health and well-being of the American public. It is the largest organization of professionals involved in physical education, recreation, fitness, dance, health promotion and all specialties related to achieving an active, healthy lifestyle. AAHPERD serves 20,000 members and has its headquarters in Reston, Virginia, 25 miles west of Washington DC. To learn more, visit www.aahperd.org.