Saints' Warren honored
By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on October 2, 2010 11:47 PM
KENANSVILLE -- Bob Warren doesn't seek out individual accolades.
The Southern Wayne head football coach and co-athletics director goes about his job daily and humbly accepts "thank you's" and other well-wishes from his peers in the coaching ranks.
Four days after his team celebrated a long-awaited and well-deserved victory over a county rival, didn't bargain on getting recognized at an annual regional AD meeting.
But he did.
Warren received the inaugural Charlie Adams Distinguished Service Award for Region 2. The award honors Adams, who served for many years as the executive director of the N.C. High School Athletic Association. That post is now held by Wayne County native Davis Whitfield.
"It was certainly a great honor to receive it," said Warren, who was one of eight recipients statewide.
The Distinguished Service Award acknowledges an individual who has at least 10 years of experience in education and athletics, and has regularly contributed at the local, regional and state level.
Warren entered the 2010 season with a 73-89 career record with the Saints. His 2000 team shared the Mideastern 4-A championship with Jacksonville, and his 2007 squad finished unbeaten in Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference play.
Overall, the program has won just three league titles.
For the past 10-plus years, Warren has served as director of Southeastern SASI -- an organization that promotes healthy lifestyles, leadership and sportsmanship among today's student-athletes. After the student-athletes are selected, they spend four days at Mount Olive College where they learn team-building skills and are taught the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
Once they return to their respective schools, they're required to implement a program to help inspire other students to become part of SASI.
"It's a great organization. It affects so many people in a positive way, and affects so many others that hopefully they (the campers) can inspire those kids and teach the purpose behind SASI," said Warren. "It teaches the values that we want our kids to have as young men and women as they go out and contribute in the community."