Summer 2012: Celebrate North Carolina Sports

Governor Perdue and First Gentleman Eaves greeting the UNC-Chapel Hill 2009 National Championship Basketball team at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh. Image courtesy of the North Carolina Executive Mansion.

Few activities are more ingrained in North Carolina communities than sports. Whether it’s sitting in the grandstands as race cars zoom past, the annual springtime basketball madness, or cheering the kids as they round the bases at a local park, just about everyone has a sports moment to celebrate!

Herb Thomas, one of NASCAR’s top drivers in the 1950’s, races to victory. Image courtesy of the North Carolina Museum of History.

Centuries ago, North Carolina Cherokees were playing anetso, an early version of lacrosse. Anetso combines athletics with spirituality and cultural identity and is still played by the Eastern Band of the Cherokees. The mid-1800’s brought popularity for golf, tennis and football and the spread of community baseball teams across the state.

"Choo Choo" Charlie Justice was an Asheville high school football star who went on to be named All-American at UNC-CH and play professionally for the Washington Redskins. Image courtesy of the North Carolina Museum of History.

By the turn of the 20^th century, North Carolina colleges formed teams in a host of sports including football, baseball, and basketball (invented in 1891). It could be said that modern sports now help create cultural identity for many North Carolinians.

Sports are more than just a pastime and a passion - they are a powerful economic engine. Our love of sports translates into the construction of arenas, ball fields and racetracks and the competitions themselves generate ticket, merchandise, equipment and concessions sales. Celebrate sports with us at the North Carolina Museum of History’s Sports Day on June 9th!

Officially created in 1962, the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame found a permanent home inside the new North Carolina Museum of History building when it opened in 1994. Each year the Hall of Fame adds to its distinguished roster of accomplished athletes and hosts gala induction ceremonies.

The Hall boasts an unrivaled collection of North Carolina sports memorabilia. It’s the perfect place to learn more about our state’s athletic champions and exciting sports heritage. Learn more about the Hall of Fame here.

The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Image courtesy of the North Carolina Museum of History.

Message from First Gentleman Bob Eaves

Whether it's looking back at our past or into our future, Celebrate North Carolina is a way for us to explore the many gifts our state has to offer. Four times each year, we will focus on a different gift - art, history, culture, people and more. Join me as we celebrate all things North Carolina!

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Second Saturday:
Celebrate NC Sports
Saturday, June 9
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
FREE!

What are your favorite sports? Come celebrate them with us!

Watch demonstrations by the Bouncing Bulldogs jump rope team and Cheer Extreme athletes.
Try your skill at a basketball shooting challenge.
Talk to athletes about sports from soccer to roller derby.
Create your own trading card.
Go on a hunt through the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.
Answer sports trivia to win a prize.
Taste-test yummy tailgating recipes.

For more information
call 919-807-7900 or
visit ncmuseumofhistory.org.