AD George Williams to be Inducted in the Raleigh Hall of Fame
Athletic Director George Williams will be inducted into the Raleigh Hall of Fame Class of 2013 on October 7 during a gala dinner at the Raleigh Convention Center. The Raleigh Hall of Fame recognizes individuals and non-profit organizations, past and present, who have made significant contributions to the City of Raleigh.
Williams is a member of six Halls of Fames: the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Hall of Fame, the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, the Florida Track and Field Hall of Fame, the Saint Augustine’s University Athletic Hall of Fame, the Booker T. Washington High School (Miami, Fla.) Hall of Fame and the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Hall of Fame.
Coach Williams, who has built a dynasty in track and field and cross country at Saint Augustine’s University, began coaching in 1976. His track and field programs have won an astounding 33 national championships including the 2013 NCAA Division II Men’s Indoor and Outdoor Championships.
Williams has coached 39 Olympians, including three gold medalists. He has been the recipient of more than 100 track and field coach of the year honors, including the 2013 NCAA Division II National Indoor and Outdoor Men’s Coach of the Year Awards by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
Under his leadership, the Falcons have amassed more than 150 CIAA track and field and cross country conference championships. Additionally, his scholarship student-athletes have a 95 percent graduation rate.
In 2012, Williams was selected 13th among the CIAA 100 Greatest Athletes and Coaches during the year of the conference’s 100th anniversary. On February 16, 2012, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Raleigh (N.C.) Sports Council. In 2008, Williams received the Bighouse Gaines Unsung Hero Award from the Winston-Salem State University Alumni Association.
Additionally, Williams has received The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award three times – from Governor Jim Martin, Governor James Hunt in 1996 and Governor Michael Easley in 2004. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award is the highest civilian honor presented by the Governor of North Carolina. Coach Williams received this honor because of his career achievements, and his extraordinary service to the state and the community.