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NOMINATION FOR GEORGE PHILLIPS, FOUNDER & WEBMASTER FOR NCPREPTRACK.COM (one of the first high school running websites in the U.S.)

Just as the internet was starting to grow, George Phillips created (on April 27, 1997, a month or so before dyestat.com existed) one of the first websites that covered high school track and field and cross country from a statewide perspective (NCPrepTrack.com).

-- He posted meet results, photos, archived state meet results (public and private schools) and big meet results, as well as top performer lists, and even defunct associations. He also provided bio background, news articles and updates for past greats who competed in North Carolina. He efforts created a fan haven for North Carolina high school track and cross country fans, but most importantly for reporters around the state (I know, because I was one of those reporters who used the site all of the time).

-- He was recognized by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association in 2010 as the "Tim Stevens Media Representative of the Year", becoming the first maintainer of a website covering North Carolina High School sports to win the NCHSAA's media award.

-- In 2019, he will be inducted into the first class of the North Carolina Track & Field and Cross Country Hall of Fame for his tireless contributions to the sport.

BACKGROUND BEFORE GEORGE CREATED THE WEBSITE:

** He ran in high school at RJ Reynolds in Winston-Salem, graduating in 1970 with a 9:29 PR in the 2 mile run and a runner-up finish at the 1969 all-class NCHSAA state cross country championships.

** He continued running at Appalachian State, earning a degree in Health and Physical Education before earning his masters in Health and Physical Education at the University or Oregon (George was inspired to attend Oregon because Steve Prefontaine had just graduated or was just about to graduate and had made an incredible impression on George).

**He also gave back to the sport before starting the website by coaching at his alma-mater (RJ Reynolds High School) and also at Independence High School (Charlotte, NC) and Myers Park High School (Charlotte, NC) when he was a teacher.

**He is retired now and living in Hendersonville, N.C., but he still maintains NCPrepTrack.com and is even more dedicated to it since he has a lot more time on his hands.